Adelphi Awards 1,700 Degrees At 125th Commencement

GARDEN CITY, NY — For the first time in two years, Adelphi University was able to send of its entire graduating class at a single ceremony. The school held its 125th commencement on May 23 at Nassau Coliseum, conferring more than 1,700 diplomas to students.

In addition to awarding hundreds of degrees to students, the university also gave two honorary doctorates at this year's ceremony. The first went to Kelly Hall-Thompkins, a violinist, humanitarian and pioneer of social justice in the arts. The school is also giving an honorary degree to José Singer Weisinger, a 1973 Adelphi graduate. His career spans business leadership and entrepreneurship to high-level service to the Dominican Republic, his country.

Weisinger was originally going to be given the degree in 2020, but the pandemic canceled the ceremony. There were no in-person graduation ceremonies in 2020. The school had several small in-person events last year. This year marked the return to the university's large, traditional graduation ceremony.

Hall-Tompkins was also the keynote speaker for the event. Other speakers included Adelphi President Christine M. Riordan, Adelphi Board Chair Marc S. Strachan, Provost Christopher K. Storm, Faculty Senate Chair and Professor Carolann Daniel, class of 2022 President Sarah Carbain, and Graduate Student Council President Helen Kouridakis.