Guidance was given to the graduates from Markowitz, who said: “Never be in debt, always be on time, only by listening can you truly understand and when you believe in yourself all things are possible.”
Bloomberg expressed his pleasure and gratitude to witness a diverse group of graduates and collective family members accepting their graduation diplomas. “I’ve been to a number of commencements this spring, but I’m quite certain that this is the first one where the graduates include three sets of husbands and wives, two sisters, a father and his daughter, and a mother and her son, all receiving degrees on the same day. He further related the significance of the graduates’ achievement beyond the academic realm: ”You’re living proof that families that study together, stay together!”
Speaking to the assemblage of New Yorkers who hailed from different areas of the globe, in particular the Caribbean and South America, Comptroller John Liu an immigrant of Taiwanese heritage who has attained a distinct notable political career and dedicated service to the residents of New York said “The immigrant that comes to New York continues to make the city a great place.”
“I challenge you to do all the best that you can and you can make a difference in the world,” said Councilman Al Vann, one of the only living founders of Medgar Evers College. “ You have always had the innate ability to succeed through your heritage, and now you’ve acquired the tools to continue.”
The keynote speaker of the ceremonies was noted activist and attorney Thomas N. Todd. “You’re reaping the harvest of seeds planted by someone else who gave their life, whose tears were shed,” said Todd. “You’re standing on someone else’s shoulders; Mama’s, Daddy’s and the community.” He went on to discuss the significance of the civil rights movement in facilitating the opportunities for minorities to achieve scholarly goals saying: “Today, you’re completing a chapter in the book but you have not accomplished the book, it is your prologue but not your conclusion. As Medgar graduates, you’ve learned to dig a little deeper and stand a little taller for that is a part of what a graduate of Medgar assumes.”