A personal start for the Class of 2020!

After more than one COVID-related postponement and a virtual ceremony, the 2020 class was celebrated with an in-person debut a year and a half after graduating.

“I know it has been a long day for all of you, and we deeply regret that we have had to postpone this well-deserved recognition until now,” President Harvey Stenger told the more than 450 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates and to their guests. . “I am so happy to welcome you back to Binghamton University for this long awaited celebration.

Calling this a remarkable time for a truly remarkable class, Stenger reminded them that when they first arrived in Binghamton, they had no way of knowing that we would be in a global pandemic that “forced you to finding new ways to learn, conduct research and scholarship, and perhaps more importantly, new ways to build and strengthen the social bonds that define his college years.

“But you were resilient and persevering,” he noted. “It’s a big day – when we officially recognize the class of 2020 – including the first cohort of Masters of Public Administration graduates, who, along with our other graduates, have reached this milestone during a global pandemic! “

Stenger reminded graduates of the meaning of their degrees. “Historically, the bachelor’s degree recipient is recognized for having a level of expertise that will allow you to advance – or begin – in the profession you have chosen, adding to the quality of life we ​​lead as citizens of the world. “, did he declare.

Likewise, a master’s degree means a more in-depth study of a field or discipline – a ‘mastery’ of the subject suitable for teaching others. And of course, the doctorate. Our PhD graduates are part of that rare cohort who can say they have produced new and meaningful research that has broadened their discipline.

“Your education at Binghamton has been a long, difficult journey filled with enthusiasm for exploration and discovery, the guidance of faculty mentors and the friendship of colleagues and peers – and, of course, disappointments and disappointments. challenges caused by the pandemic, ”he added. . “But you discovered a passion for yourself, a passion that you carried with you in the months following your departure.

“But what I discovered, and I hope you too, is that developing a passion takes hard work – you have to engage deeply in a subject, learn its inner workings, and invest your time and intelligence.” , said Stenger. “I hope Binghamton has given you the tools to find your passion – a passion that you will continue to renew and rediscover and in doing so let Binghamton inform your years to come.”

Resilience was also at the center of remarks by US Congressman Hakeem Jeffries ’92, who represents the 8th Congressional District which encompasses much of Brooklyn and sections of Queens, NY. First elected to Congress in 2013, he is currently Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, the fifth Democrat in the House of Representatives. He focused his efforts on police and housing reform, the environment, voting rights, access to health care, social equity and economic justice, and he helped shape the government’s response. Congress to the COVID pandemic.

Jeffries told the Class of 2020 members that they have already proven themselves to be resilient and why resilience will help them in the future.

“It’s an honor to be back here at Binghamton,” he said. “I arrived a little over 30 years ago with a few suitcases and a 13-inch television!

“Winston Churchill has already observed that success is not final and failure is not fatal,” Jeffries said. “All that matters is the courage to continue. I’d put it another way: a knockdown is different from a knockout – it’s the Hakeen Jeffries remake.

“When life knocks you down. Don’t give up, get up, ”he said. “This is what all of you have already demonstrated.

He noted his surprise when he learned he was the first Binghamton University graduate to sit in the United States House of Representatives.

“Hakeem Jeffries. Who knew? Only in America. What a beautiful country, “he said.” And Binghamton laid the groundwork for my trip, where I realized it wasn’t all going to be wine and roses. As for me, there will be a lot of twists and turns, bumps and bruises from where you are right now. I’ve learned over the years that life is filled with ups and downs, ups and downs, peaks and valleys, trials and tribulations.

He finds himself traveling and on planes and reminded graduates that, like when they fly, they are going to run into difficulties at some point in their future. “You cannot get from your starting point to your destination without, at one point or another, encountering turbulence.

“When you find yourself in a turbulent time, some people will doubt your ability to make it. These are the persistent pessimists, the notorious opponents. In the neighborhood, we just call them enemies, ”he said. “But you have already been resilient, so dismiss the skeptics and keep walking towards your dream.”

He warned the road will not always be easy and recounted how he unsuccessfully ran for the New York State Legislature twice ahead of the successful third race. “The second loss was painful,” he said. “I came home and my wife and mother asked me how I was. I said, ‘I’m fine, except I’m in personal, political and professional shambles right now.’ And my wife (also a Binghamton graduate) said “Stop being so dramatic.”

“I had to take a step back. I was a two-time loser, unsure of what to come next, ”he said. “But what got me off the ground to keep moving forward was that I realized, when I look at someone who has achieved a level of success in any field, at some point, they failed and were challenged but they got up off the ground and I didn’t give up and that’s what I want you all to do.

“I was encouraged in this regard because I looked around and was surprised to learn that some of our more recent presidents from different political persuasions have all lost their first run for Congress. They were knocked down to the ground, ”Jeffries said. “And people probably suggested doing something different, but they fought for their dream and each one of them landed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to serve. So don’t give up, get up!

He also noted that the African Impala has the ability to jump heights of up to 10 feet and distances over 30 feet, but will remain locked in a zoo, held in place by a brick wall no longer than three feet. tall, due to the unknown on the other side of the wall.

“Impalas can have all the abilities in the world, but because of self-doubt, when a moment of turbulence arises, they get trapped behind a wall they could jump over,” he said. “So take a leap of faith, because you will not be disappointed with where you land”

Jeffries’ final observation: “Sometimes in life you will find yourself in the midst of unexpected adversity – like what happened to all of us during the pandemic – forcing you to change everything, but you can either sink or swim and I am so proud of the fact that each of you, when you encountered unexpected diversity, you crossed the finish line. You graduated from Binghamton University, one of the best educational institutions in the world. The best is yet to come.”

Gabriel Pinciotti, a theater major and actor who had been chosen to represent his fellow students at one of the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences ceremonies in 2020, spoke on behalf of all graduates at the ceremony.

Joking that he was a theater student, what did he know about tough classes, Pinciotti admitted that the toughest challenges for him during his college career were personal, but he learned from them and gave this advice:

1. “First of all, take care of your own well-being,” he said. “Whether it’s your mental health, your physical health, or anything in between, you should take care of the one thing that will stay with you all your life: yourself. Be your own biggest fan, who better to root for than yourself?

2. “Another thing is to do the things that matter to you, things that give your life purpose, meaning – and life -. I beg you, ”Pinciotti said. “Never forget to tune in to what you really love. Every once in a while, forget the world, forget about your job and do whatever you want. Have a little fun!

3. “The last thing, and I would say the most important, is the rest. Other human beings, ”he said. “Not that you can control what they do, but you can control how much you let people in – and I think you should do that often. I have found that being with people who are dear to you is one of the best remedies for a bad day, even if you are just sitting and watching TV with them. Cherish the time you spend with everyone, especially those who are close to you.

“It’s a bit of a crazy world right now, for a million different reasons,” Pinciotti said. “But when the going gets tough, when things seem impossible, or nothing seems to be going well, just remember: find the people you love. Do the things you love. And love you. This will allow you to continue.