Photos from QCC's 52nd Commencement Ceremony

Queensborough Community College held its 52nd annual graduation ceremony on May 31 at the school's Bayside campus.

The ceremony also marked the official inauguration of Diane Call, who was appointed president of the school by its board of trustees in January. Call is QCC's first woman president.

“My years at Queensborough have been extraordinarily blessed,” Call said during the ceremony. “The list of those who have inspired me along my journey is long and I am deeply grateful to them all.”

To the graduating seniors, Call imparted this advice: “As you embark on your own journeys, remember where you came from and where you want to go.” 

More than 2,000 students graduated during Friday's ceremony, which was attended by a bevy of elected officials representing northeast Queens, including U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., state Sen. Toby Stavisky, Whitestone, and state Assembly members David Weprin, D-Little Neck, and Nily Rozic, D-Fresh Meadows.

Awards handed out during the ceremony included:

President's Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Arts Degree - Liang Lin, Paula Villacres

President's Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Science Degree- Kenny Cheng

President's Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Associate in Applied Science Degree- Jennifer Lagasse

John F. Kennedy Memorial Award, which is given to a student demonstrating community leadership- Jace Dunn

Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, which is given to a student demonstrating leadership in promoting racial harmony and appreciation of cultural diversity- Jemima Matiminu

Photos courtesy of Queensborough Community College and Weprin's office.