CSI/CUNY News Release
	For Immediate Release

Erica Jong to deliver commencement address and receive honorary PhD from the
City University of New York’s College of Staten Island

Staten Island, NY - May 31, 2005 - Erica Jong, author of eight novels including Fear of Flying, Fanny: Being the True History of the Adventures of Fanny Hackabout-Jones and Sappho’s Leap, will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary PhD
degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from The City University of New York’s
College of Staten Island.

WHO:
Erica Jong, commencement speaker and honorary PhD recipient

WHAT:
Twenty-Ninth annual commencement exercise for a record 2,100 baccalaureate
and master degree candidates.

WHERE:
The City University of New York / College of Staten Island
Great Lawn (rain or shine)
2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island NY 10314

WHEN:
Thursday, June 2 at 10 a.m.

"We are honored that Erica Jong will deliver the commencement address to our
graduating class this year," commented Dr. Marlene Springer, president of
CSI. "She is known around the world as a leader committed to women's rights
and freedom of expression. She cares deeply about her commitments, and she
challenges us to overcome our fears. Her presence is sure to be compelling,
provocative and motivational."

Alumni Speaker: Ferdinand Alvaro, a senior partner with one of the leading
minority-owned law firms in the United States, Fitzhugh, Parker and Alvaro.

Student speaker: Sophia Tamezrian, one of six children raised by a widowed
mother in war-torn Beirut, often studying by candlelight. She graduates
with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) in accounting with minors in both
economics and finance. “Education is the key both to personal and
professional advancement,” said this long-time employee of the United
Nations, adding that it education is a “crucial component” to creating and
maintaining peace.”

For more information, visit: www.csi.cuny.edu/graduation.

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you plan to attend or send a representative, you must
contact Ken Bach at (718) 982-2328 to arrange access and parking.

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a senior college of The City
University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban university. CSI
offers 35 academic programs, 15 graduate degree programs, and challenging
doctoral programs to 12,600 students.
 

The College of Staten Island (CSI) is a senior college of The City University of New York (CUNY), the nation’s leading urban university. CSI offers 35 academic programs, 15 graduate degree programs, and challenging doctoral programs to 12,600 students.

The 204-acre landscaped campus of CSI, the largest in NYC, is fully accessible and contains an advanced, networked infrastructure to support technology-based teaching, learning, and research. For more information, visit www.csi.cuny.edu

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