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A MESSAGE FROMPresident Frank H. WuNinety-Seventh CommencementTHURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021VIRTUAL CELEBRATION 9:00 IN THE DINGFrank H. Wu, President of Queens CollegeCHIEF MARSHALRobert Engel, Professor Emeritus of ChemistryPROCESSIONALEdward Elgar (arr. Claire Grundman), “Pomp and Circumstance”Brass Students from the Aaron Copland School of MusicCONGRATULATIONS, CLASS OF 2021! EARNING YOURDEGREE IS NO EASY ACHIEVEMENT. It takes years of hardwork, dedication, and resiliency to graduate from QueensCollege. That is especially true for this year’s class. You havehad to endure challenges and obstacles that no other class inQueens College history has ever faced. You’ve spent the pastyear learning remotely and overcoming challenges such asadjusting to different teaching methods, being separated fromyour classmates, and even Zoom fatigue—all while you’veworried about the health and safety of yourself and loved onesduring the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ve missed out on someof the joys of college life this past year that you enjoyed earlierin your college experience, like spending time with classmates,attending a Knights sporting event, or just walking around thecampus Quad on a beautiful spring afternoon when the cherrytrees are in full bloom. You’ve overcome all these challenges,thrived despite these struggles, and come through on the otherside stronger than ever. This makes your achievement todayeven more admirable. I commend all of you for persevering andearning your degree today.During the heart of the American Revolutionary War, it wasThomas Paine, a founding father of the United States, who oncewrote, “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; ‘tis dearnessonly that gives everything its value. I love the [person] that cansmile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and growbrave by reflection.”Today, I commend you on the strength and bravery youpossessed to earn your Queens College degree. I join you incelebrating with profound joy what is sure to be one of the greattriumphs of your life.This is my first Commencement as president of Queens College.While I certainly never imagined I would be presiding over2my first Commencement this way, looking at you through mycomputer screen, I am excited for a new future that will be betterthan the life we had before. We are approaching the end of thispandemic, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. QueensCollege has a vital role to play in the rebuilding process. I’mexcited to be a part of that process. I know there are better daysahead.As you receive your diploma today, you have a bright futureahead of you. A Queens College degree is a major step towardsa successful and fulfilling career. As this chapter in your lifecomes to a close, you turn the page to a new chapter filled withunlimited possibilities. I know you will go on to do amazingthings while bringing to life the motto of Queens College: “Welearn so that we may serve.” You will join the ranks of thousandsof outstanding QC alumni before you who have helped toget you to this great milestone. Whatever career you choose,you will be armed with the leadership skills and knowledgeyou’ve gained while a student at Queens College. You are wellpositioned to contribute your abilities to help improve conditionsin our society.I am proud of all you, and I hope to meet you all in person soonat a future homecoming or alumni gathering—or perhaps youwill choose to come back to QC to further your education. Ilook forward to shaking your hand, chatting with you in person,and seeing the smile on your faces without the aid of a computerscreen. That day will be here before you know it.Stay safe, stay strong, and be well. Congratulations once againto the Class of 2021! You have certainly earned it!THE NATIONAL ANTHEMAmy Guarino MM’21GREETINGSThe Honorable Charles Schumer, U.S. Senate Majority LeaderGrace Meng, U.S. CongresswomanToby Ann Stavisky, New York State SenatorNily Rozic, New York State AssemblymemberKathy Hochul, New York State Lieutenant GovernorDonovan Richards, Queens Borough PresidentJames Gennaro, New York City CouncilmemberKevin Kim, CUNY Board TrusteeThe Honorable Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, Chancellor, City University of New YorkGRADUATE ADDRESSAnna Savva ’21BLUE AND SILVERQueens College Alma MaterStudents from the Aaron Copland School of MusicArranged by Professor Joel MandelbaumCONFERRING OF THE HONORARY DEGREESPresented by Frank H. Wu, President of Queens CollegeDoctor of Humane Letters, honoris causaMiriam RafailovichCONFERRING OF THE QUEENS COLLEGE PRESIDENT’S MEDALPresented by Frank H. Wu, President of Queens CollegeAdriano EspaillatCOMMENCEMENT ADDRESSAdriano EspaillatRECESSIONALLudwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 1 in C, op. 21 (1800)performed by Queens College OrchestraConducted by Professor Mark Powell, Director of Orchestral Studies, Aaron Copland School of Music3

4A MESSAGE FROM U.S. SENATORA MESSAGE FROM U.S. CONGRESSWOMANCharles E. SchumerGrace Meng5

6A MESSAGE FROM NEW YORK STATE SENATORA MESSAGE FROM NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBERToby Ann StaviskyNily Rozic7

8A MESSAGE FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNORA MESSAGE FROM QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENTKathryn HochulDonovan Richards9

10A MESSAGE FROM NEW YORK CITY COUNCILMEMBERA MESSAGE FROM CUNY BOARD TRUSTEEJames GennaroKevin Kim11

A MESSAGE FROM CUNY CHANCELLORFélix V. Matos Rodríguez1213

Miriam RafailovichAdriano EspaillatDoctor of Humane Letters, honoris causaQueens College President’s MedalTogether with other U.S. representatives, you worked to passmore than 900 bills during the 116th Congress, includingbipartisan legislation to clean up government, defend access toaffordable health care, lower prescription drug costs, respond tothe COVID-19 pandemic, invest in the nation’s infrastructure,and support policies for job creation and economic growth.You also introduced more than 40 bills and resolutions aimed athelping small businesses become more competitive and recoverfrom the pandemic, and at protecting the rights of immigrants.the National Science Foundation. The research performed at theGarcia Center is relevant to the development of cutting-edgetechnologies across a diverse group of U.S. industries.Each year, the center partners with Queens College for its annualScience Open House for High School Students, which welcomeshundreds of students to the Queens College campus and featuresdemonstrations and presentations from a wide range of sciences.The event has inspired thousands of students who dream of acareer in science.Your research has spanned a broad spectrum, which includespolymer nanocomposites for additive manufacturing,biopolymers, biosensors, tissue-engineering scaffolds,nanotoxicology, flame-retardant composites, and polymers forgreen energy applications.A BRILLIANT SCIENTIST AND AN OUTSTANDINGMENTOR, you have performed groundbreaking researchthroughout your storied career and have mentored generationsof future scientists.You received your PhD from Stony Brook University in appliednuclear physics and did post-doctoral work at BrookhavenNational Laboratory and the Weizmann Institute. Early in yourcareer, you were an associate professor of physics and astronomyat Queens College. Now you are a distinguished professor atStony Brook University in the Department of Materials Scienceand Engineering. You are also a Lady Davis Foundation Scholarand a fellow of the American Physical Society.At Stony Brook, you are the director of the Garcia Centerfor Polymers at Engineered Interfaces, a collaboration ofacademic, industrial, and government laboratories funded by14You are a pioneer in integrating research with education.You have graduated more than 60 PhD and master’s studentsand mentored several hundred undergraduate and high schoolstudents from across the United States and abroad. On LongIsland, you are celebrated for mentoring numerous high schoolstudents who advance to the semifinals and beyond in theRegeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and mostprestigious pre-college science competition, previously knownas the Intel Science Talent Search. You have co-authored morethan 400 publications in peer-reviewed journals and technicalreview articles.Your support has enriched the education of many students, andyou have been an ardent supporter of academic excellence. Inrecognition of your distinguished career in science and yourdevotion to education, we are proud to confer upon you thedegree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.AN EXEMPLARY ALUMNUS OF QUEENS COLLEGE, youenrolled in the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK Program as anundocumented immigrant, and since graduating with a politicalscience degree in 1979, you have dedicated your career to publicservice.For more than 25 years you have served our city, state, andfederal government. You are a champion for working- andmiddle-class New Yorkers and an advocate for improvingeducational opportunities and making smart investments ineconomic development, infrastructure, and environmentalprotection.You represent our city and serve our country as the U.S.Representative in New York’s Thirteenth Congressional district,currently serving your third term. You have been a trailblazerin your field, becoming the first Dominican American to servein the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 and the firstDominican American elected to the New York State legislaturein 1996.You previously were elected to the New York State Senatein 2010 where you served as the ranking member of theSenate Housing, Construction, and Community DevelopmentCommittee; chairman of the Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus;and a member of the Environmental Conservation, EconomicDevelopment, Codes, Insurance, and Judiciary committees.While a member of the New York State Assembly from1997–2010, you chaired the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic andAsian Legislative Caucus, and committees on small business andchildren and families.Prior to your time in elected office, you worked for many worthycauses, including as director of the Washington Heights VictimsServices Community Office, an organization offering counselingand other services to families of victims of homicides and othercrimes, and as the director of Project Right Start, a nationalinitiative aimed at combating substance abuse by educating theparents of preschool children. You also served as the ManhattanCourt Services Coordinator for the New York City CriminalJustice Agency, a non-profit organization that provides legalservices to those in need and works to reduce unnecessarypretrial detention and post-sentence incarceration costs.Throughout your distinguished career, you lived by the motto ofQueens College: Discimus ut serviamus—”We learn so that wemay serve.” In recognition of your lifelong dedication to our city,state, and country, we are pleased to present you with the QueensCollege President’s Medal.15

Office of Alumni RelationsCongratulations to the classes of1941, 1946, 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981,1991, 1996, and 2001 as we celebrateyour milestone reunions.We salute your good healthand good fortune in the years to come.We extend good wishes to Evelyn Puccini Rolleri, Class of 1941,who is celebrating her 80th anniversary!Class of 2021Welcome to Alumnihood16