2021 HVCC Graduation In-Person But Socially Distanced
By Kevin Conley II, Staff Contributor
On May 11th, students are graduating and receiving their associates. Hudson Valley Community College has 1,646 graduates of the 2021 class. 451 are graduating with honors and 179 are Phi Theta Kappa members.
President Ramsammy has announced that all graduates will be named in the Commencement Program and listed on wraps covering the Times Union, Daily Gazette, Saratogian, and Troy Record. They will also be published using the college’s Merit Hometown news software platform.
The graduates of Hudson Valley’s ages range greatly as President Ramsammy states “Graduates from more than 80 career and transfer oriented programs range in age from 17 to 72”. There are about 544 students from Albany County, 399 from Rensselaer County, 238 from Saratoga County, and 162 from Schenectady County.”
Ramsammy also said, “There are 61 active-duty members of the U.S. military or veterans of service, 18 of whom are graduating with honors.”
HVCC’s 2021 graduates also include international students.
“Though 82 percent of this year’s graduates are from the Capital Region, the Class of 2021 also includes students from 37 countries”
President Ramsammy discussed the students’ growth as freshmen.
“Year after year, we are extremely proud to see our students complete their degrees and certificates and cross the stage at Commencement. We feel an enormous sense of pride in their accomplishments, recognizing how hard they have worked and how many obstacles they have overcome.
We’re also excited about their future prospects knowing that they will contribute greatly to our community and in their chosen fields.”
Louis B. Coplin II responded to the graduates of Spring 2021 and considered graduation his favorite time of year.
“I feel a great deal of satisfaction and gratification watching our students earn their associate degree and/or certificates.”
Coplin also responded to his overall experience with Hudson Valley after a year of COVID and helping students work in a safe environment.
Coplin said, “Overall, this past year has certainly presented plenty of challenges, and yes, it’s been difficult, but I am very proud of the way our community has navigated the circumstances we have been faced with.
There is greater hope on the horizon as things continue to improve, but we must remain patient and vigilant for a bit longer in order to keep protecting ourselves and one another as we strive to reach the end of this chapter.”
“Many of our students are first-generation and come from circumstances that could’ve prevented them from reaching this milestone so I am very proud and happy for them and their families,” Ramsammy said.
“I am very proud of all our students because I know HVCC education prepares them for the personal professional challenges they will encounter for the rest of their lives”.
As many Hudson Valley students should know, all graduates must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and complete all courses within their degree program. That goes for other students who will be graduating in future semesters.
It’s difficult to disagree that the 2020-2021 Academic Year has been the most challenging for all students and staff at Hudson Valley.
Coplin said, “Teaching, learning, and working in a remote environment is not what any of us expected nor anticipated.”
“But I must say, our students, faculty, staff, and administrators have individually and collectively risen to the occasion. Our support services are now able to offer assistance in-person and remote, and institutionally, we know students can earn their degree completely online,” he added. “We have become more flexible, adaptable, and more efficient.”
Obadiah J Steffen, an Environmental Science major, discussed his experience with Hudson Valley. “I feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that all my hard work was worth it.”
“I had a very pleasant experience at Hudson Valley these last two years. I enjoyed the campus and the professors at this institution were above and beyond my expectations of a community college professor,” Steffen said.
Steffen is also planning on transferring to Paul Smith’s College to pursue a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences.
While being honored with the opportunity he dedicated his work for, Steffen explained what Hudson Valley meant to him.
“To me, Hudson Valley was a wonderful experience which helped me solidify the career I want to pursue, gave me solid foundational skills, and provided excellent tuition at a rate affordable to someone paying their way through college.”
Desmond Volmar majored in Environmental Science. Volmar responded to how he felt about graduating this semester. He said, “It feels like a new chapter in my life will begin. I just have to finish strong.”
After he graduates, he will be transferring to Sage to earn his bachelor’s degree. He also recommends HVCC for new students because it is affordable, easy to navigate, and has great professors/tutors.
Volmar said, “I feel like HVCC has prepared me for the world and how to be independent. In every department, there is someone who helps to guide you in some way.”
President Ramsammy discussed how it felt to have each student accomplish their graduation at this time of the year. He said, “I know I speak on behalf of all the trustees, faculty, and staff of the college when I say that we are all so very proud of our graduates
They each have a unique background and an individual story, but one very important thing in common: despite everything they have faced, especially since the beginning of the pandemic,
each and every one of our graduates has demonstrated remarkable dedication, persistence, and unshakable commitment to achieving their goals—both in the classroom and outside of it, and that is something to be infinitely proud of.
Our message is that Hudson Valley is a safe, affordable, high-quality option and a very smart choice, especially right now. We are close to home for many students.”
We have superior student support programs and flexible enrollment options with hundreds of online and remote classes at a low cost.
Plus, our courses are highly transferable too. Students can count on us to help them get ahead, even at this uncertain time.”
For all of the students who are graduating, congratulations on your hard work, dedication, and dignity that you brought to Hudson Valley. May your skills, education, and choices have the best odds in life as you go from Hudson Valley.