SUNY Honors Graduates at Commencement

COBLESKILL — SUNY Cobleskill marked its 106th Commencement Saturday, officially conferring degrees upon more than 430 graduates of the Class of 2024. Graduates represented more than 50 baccalaureate and associate degree programs across agriculture and technology disciplines.

In her address to students, President Marion Terenzio urged students to draw upon those past and present experiences that have prepared them for post-graduate and professional life.

“You are ready to meet your future because you delved into studying, intervening, and researching with your faculty the challenges of today,” said Dr. Terenzio. “You have already experimented with contemporary techniques, and you will shape how our future emerges. As we close this present moment, this special event symbolizes our trust in you, our graduates, and for one last time, we escort you to the future that now awaits you.”

In addition to celebrating student's academic achievements, the College also awarded an honorary SUNY Doctorate of Science to keynote speaker Dr. Temple Grandin.

A visionary in the fields of animal science and autism advocacy, Dr. Grandin’s groundbreaking contributions in these domains have influenced our view of the world and the diverse thought processes of its inhabitants. Dr. Grandin is renowned for her innovative work in improving livestock treatment through the design of humane handling facilities, including SUNY Cobleskill’s. Her unique perspective, shaped by her own experiences with autism and shared through countless articles, books, and lectures, has advanced our understanding of the condition while fostering greater inclusivity and understanding. 

The honorary doctorate is the highest form of recognition offered by the State University of New York to persons of exceptional distinction, in this case, celebrating Dr. Grandin’s unique contributions in shaping a more humane and empathic for humans and animals alike.

In her address to graduates, Dr. Grandin encouraged them to recognize that while the world is made up of different types of thinkers, we all have the capacity to create opportunities for growth and success.

“I want to see students get out and see doors to opportunity. You have to see the door – and a lot of people don’t see the door – and then they have to have the guts to go through the door. For instance, in one scene in the HBO movie, I went up to the editor of my state's farm magazine, and I got his card. I started writing for that magazine because I recognized what that would do for my career. That’s just an example of my door, but these doors to opportunity are everywhere. My message to graduates is ‘See these doors and have the courage to walk through them.’”

The student speakers for this year’s Commencement, selected by a committee through a competitive nomination process, were Kaleigh Weaver and Lakeisha Wright, representing the Animal Science and Communication in Technology degree programs, respectively.

Dr. Grandin's life served as the basis for the 2010 HBO biopic "Temple Grandin."