POTSDAM — Before SUNY Potsdam graduates made their way across the stage on a breezy but sunny Saturday morning, Massena native Jim “Ace” Deshaies, a broadcast analyst for the Chicago Cubs and a former major league baseball pitcher, provided some motivating words to all during his keynote address.
Mr. Deshaies’s speech carried nostalgia when he asked the graduates to perform a simple mind exercise.
“Let your mind drift back through the years and conjure up images of all those classrooms, the classmates, the teachers. Think about all those hours poring over homework at the kitchen table, wishing you were anywhere but sitting at that table. All the exams, the projects, the term papers, SATs, ACTs — draining Red Bulls so you can pull an all-nighter before finals,” he said. “I can tell you this: you are ready.”
More than 800 undergraduate and graduate SUNY Potsdam students were awarded degrees.
During her commencement remarks, President Kristin G. Esterberg addressed the students and told them they attended SUNY Potsdam during a year of many firsts.
“All of you can proudly claim to be the first class to graduate in Potsdam’s third century,” she said. “But many of you participated in other firsts for SUNY Potsdam students: the first class to perform in the Performing Arts Center; the first classes to travel to Cuba; the first to perform in Carnegie Hall in more than 60 years; and the first to backpack through the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico.”
Prior to the conferring of degrees was a Native American greeting from Taiawenton:ti Chelsea Sunday and her daughter Kaneniokwas Mya Cree, both of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation.
Before the duo sang “Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen,” Ms. Sunday briefly announced it was young Mya’s birthday.
Almost immediately, the crowd of soon-to-be graduates loudly belted out an impromptu round of “Happy Birthday,” much to the glee of young Mya as well as the large crowd of students, staff, faculty, and friends and family of the students.
During the cermony, two awards were presented to members of the Potsdam community.
Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, R-Rome, along with Ms. Esterberg, presented the Leadership Through Service Award to Saverio “Sam” and Carmela Spagnolo, founders and owners of Sergi’s Restaurant.
“Potsdam wouldn’t be Potsdam without Sergi’s pizza,” Ms. Esterberg said.
In addition, philanthropists Joy MacDonald Dorf ‘58 and Richard Dorf received the Roger B. Linden Distinguished Service Award.
In her speech to graduates, Ms. Esterberg asked the crowd to remember their time at SUNY Potsdam.
“You have all taken away lessons, friendships and memories to last a lifetime,” Ms. Esterberg said. “You have already had an indelible impact on SUNY Potsdam. And we are eager to see the changes that you, the class of 2017, will make in the world.”