Nyack College & Alliance Theological Seminary 2 Washington Street
New York, NY 10004 www.Nyack.edu | Higher Education Since 1882
TABLE OF
CONTENTS GREATER THINGS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - 4 GRADUATES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -7 GRADUATE LISTING - - - - - - - ----------------------------------8-13 LETTERS TO GRADS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14-16
BACCALAUREATE RECEPTION --------------------------------17-20
COMMENCEMENT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 21-28
STUDENT LIFE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30
CHAPEL SERVICES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31-34
STUDENT GOVERNMENT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35-38
STUDENT CLUBS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39-40
SPECIAL EVENTS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42-46 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 47
GREATER THINGS Congratulations Graduates! You’ve toiled, sweat, worried, and stressed. After long nights and early mornings, gallons of coffee, papers upon papers, and projects; after all the midterms and final exams, you’ve finally conquered college! You’ve worked hard and accomplished many great things. You’ve met great people who will stick around even when the walls of Nyack College are no longer around you. You had fun. You owned your time here, so what do you do now that it’s over?
The answer is simple: Greater things. It’s been said that college is the greatest time of your life, but we won’t buy that. We know that God wouldn’t bring us this far to have the rest of our lives become a mere shadow of what once was. No—he has greater things in store for us: bigger adventures, larger missions, and heavenly tasks to carry out. Will it be a job? Family? Ministry? What we do know is that our time at Nyack was only a set up for the greater things to come. So take heart! Your time at Nyack was not in vain. There are bigger, better things in store for you. Nyack was fun, but now it’s time for the great adventures to begin! And while you look forward to the greater things to come, for right now, let’s take one more look at all the great things that happened here at Nyack.
“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do...” John 14:12 (KJV) Tryphena Ramcharitar SGA President 2014 - 1015
GRADUATES
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Congratulations to all the
Graduates Legend cum laude gpa: 3.4 to 3.5
magna cum laude gpa: 3.6 to 3.8
With Distinction gpa: 3.8
summa cum laude gpa: 3.8 to 4.0
Demetri Anderson
B.S. Communications
Mary Brown B.A. Psychology
Roxanne Caleb *
B.S. Pastoral Ministry
Valedictorian
Karin Echevarria
summa cum laude
B.S. Criminal Justice
Nicole Guardado B.S. Business Administration
Lynda Harer-Brown B.A. Biblical &
Theological Studies
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Denise HazelwoodSmith Organizational Management
Brenda Herrera
With Distinction
A.A. Liberal Arts & Sciences
Esther Jackson
B.S. Social Work
Laure Jean
B.S. Accounting
cum laude
Cherita Jones Organizational Management
Alicia King-Linder B.S. Childhood Education
Jennifer Lopez
B.S. Criminal Justice
Lindza Lubin B.A. Psychology
magna cum laude
Yva Lubin
B.S. Social Work
Edith McDonald
Organizational Management
Richard Melendez
B.S. Bible/Theology & Pastoral Ministry
David Meyerend
magna cum laude
B.S. Bible/Theology & Pastoral Ministry
magna cum laude
Rosa Rosa Negron Negron
Organizational Organizational Management Management
Amanda Padilla
With Distinction
B.A. Psychology
Desiree Perez
B.S. Social Work
Fadja PierreEtienne
B.S. Social Work
Tryphena Ramcharitar B.A. Psychology
Student Government President*
Leeann Rosa
magna cum laude
A.S. Business Administration
summa cum laude
Hildie Salmon-Vecci B.S. Social Work
Dannie Short
summa cum laude
B.S. Bible/Theology & Pastoral Ministry
Victoria Shuford
B.A. Biblical & Theological Studies
Johanne Smith
cumlaude laude cum
Organizational Management
cumlaude laude cum
Allana Sosa B.A. Music
Yajaira Vega
B.S. Bible & Childhood Education
magna cum laude
cum cumlaude laude
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magna cum laude
Sharon Victory
B.S. Business Administration
Charrise Wilson
Organizational Management
David Wyatt
B.A. Music
Dr. Michael G. Scales President
It’s my pleasure to extend congratulations to you again. Chris Tomlin’s song, “God of This City,” is a perfect anthem for our Manhattan campus. We do believe that “greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this City.” The even greater news is that because you are joining more than 32,000 Nyack alumni in 80 nations around the globe, clearly the “city” is not limited to New York. You will be a part of Nyack’s mosaic of leaders who are being salt and light in the global community! Thank you for choosing Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary to be a part of your journey in Christian higher education. You are educated, equipped, and empowered to serve. I know the work that has been done in you and will be done through you is destined to bring glory to God’s name. Be blessed and a blessing as you go into all the world! With warm regards, Michael G. Scales, Ed.D. President
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Dr. Charles Hammond Associate Dean, Student Life
You have just completed a significant season in your journey of life. Job well done and I wholeheartedly congratulate you! It’s always bittersweet when I have the task of giving farewell remarks, but I’m also greatly encouraged when I think of the “greater things” that are ahead for you. When Jesus made reference to “greater things” in John 14 verse 12, the promise was directly connected to anyone who has faith in Christ. The greater things will come in the asking in my name, Jesus said. May the completion of your degree open up incredible doors of opportunity for you to run through as a Nyack alum, but more importantly as an ambassador of Christ. Our nation and the global world desperately need men and women committed to accomplishing those “greater things.” My sincere blessings to you in the days ahead. To God be all the glory both now and forevermore! Charles Hammond, Ph.D Associate Dean of Student Life
Dr. Fernando Arzola, Jr. Dean of College of Arts & Sciences
When we hear the phrase “greater things,” we usually think in quantitative terms. This is certainly natural. After years of undergraduate study, you have accumulated a significant amount of knowledge. But more stuff also tends to clutter or confuse our minds and our vision. So how might we both compartmentalize and integrate our lives in such a way that makes the intellectual music harmonic instead of cacophonic? Perhaps another way of understanding “greater things” is through depth and clarity. Or what our tradition calls “wisdom.” The liberal arts provides a breadth of knowledge which allows us to consider life from various disciplinary perspectives. The philosophic, the scientific, the literary, the artistic are myriad ways to more thoughtfully and more comprehensively ponder the intricacy of a thing. But, at least for me, it’s the prophetic dimension that deepens the awareness of its beauty. It’s the pathos that gives life to knowing and space for mystery. Let us ever strive to deepen and clarify our minds and our hearts. Fernando Arzola Jr., Ph.D Dean of College of Arts & Sciences
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Baccalaureate
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COMMENCEMENT WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK
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STUDENT LIFE
Dr.
Luis C
arlo , Ass
ocia te D
ean,
ATS
CHAPEL SERVICES
Dr. Michael Scales, President
Daniel Marciano & Corens Moreau, Chapel Worship Leaders
Jeffrey Garcia, Lecturer in Bible
Dr. Kwi Yun, Associate Dean, School of Social Work
Dr. Steven Ware Professor of Historical Theology
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Will i Yank e Alfon so, ees & Nets Chapla in, Mr. Udo Middelmann Pastor Tim Dilena
Denise Patrick
Dr. Carlos Velez
Dr. Charles hammond, Associate Dean, Student Life
CHAPEL SERVICES 34
SGA Chapel The Officers: President Tryphena Secretary Landai Public relations Anthony Treasurer Jessica Lowerclass Rep. Flower
ra l u t l u c i t l u M Day rty a p s a m t s i ch r
Cityserve
Homecomin
Town Hall
g
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A Message from Student Government President Tryphena Ramcharitar WE DID IT!!! We’ve finally finished the job and received our long awaited degrees. Relish in your accomplishment. We did well, if I do say so myself. Thank you all for an amazing adventure over these last few years. Though we now go our separate ways, I will always consider you all family. I pray that you live out God’s plan for your life to the best of your ability, and that you take advantage of every drop of talent, intelligence, and compassion that he has given you. My hope for you is that you take all the goodies you’ve gained while here at Nyack back to your families, your churches, your communities, your world, and do some damage for the kingdom of God. I can’t wait to find out (via social media of course) where you all go from here, and I’m excited to see what incredible plans God has in store for you. No matter what it looks like, remember that it is only leading you to greater things. It has been my joy and privilege to have served as your SGA president this last year. I love you guys; I’m rooting for you! See you on Facebook! Your fellow world changer, Tryphena
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k c a y N
T N E D U T S
CLUBS
Acts Prayer Ministry (APM):
Our mission is to bring spiritual growth to the Nyack College community through prayer, reading the Holy Bible, and memorizing the scriptures. Through supplications and intercessions we believe we will not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind.
Christian Art and Media Club (CAM):
Our purpose is to express the gospel of Jesus Christ through multiple forms of studio art and media, paint, graphite, pictures, video, comic illustrations, and sculpture. The idea is to bring Nyack students with creative and artistic minds together to illustrate scripture and inspiration visually. The goal is to outwardly express our passions for art and love for Christ throughout the college and within the community.
Nyack College Business Club (NCBC):
Our mission is to aid the faculty and the student body of Nyack College with our business abilities. We strive to give members of our club the experiences and connections they will need to thrive in the business world.
Nyack College Evangelism Club (NCNYCEC):
Our purpose is to carry out the Great Commission as Jesus Christ commanded in the Holy Scriptures according to Saint Matthew 28:18-20. Therefore, we intend to effectively communicate the Love of Jesus Christ in the local neighboring community near Nyack NYC campus with respect for all people and nations.
Social Work Organization:
Our mission is to promote the Social Work profession (within a Christian perspective) as an important and positive field that deserves recognition through Social Work education, community service, and campus awareness of social and political issues.
Students Against Hunger (SAH): Students Against Hunger Ministry is a faith-based organization committed to being socially relevant and exemplifying the love of Jesus Christ in action by providing food to the poor, addressing their spiritual needs, and working in partnership with others to encourage community service according to Deuteronomy 15:11 “…Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”
Veterans Club:
Our goal is to assist with the transition from military service to civilian life, and to provide clarity concerning the academic requirements, grants, scholarships, and other resources that are available to veterans. We are committed to providing a welcoming environment through understanding each other’s needs.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
Special ents Ev
WELCOME PARY
kSPIRIT WEEK
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MULTICULTURAL DAY
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
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k HISPANIC HERITAGE i NYACK’S GOT TALENT
Judges
WINNER!
k S ISTERHOOD
i GAME NIGHT
JENGA!
Special s t n e Ev
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THANK YOU Cezanne Perez - Editor in Chief Deborah Harris - Advisor/Editor Curt Courteney - Page Designer
TY SPECIAL THANKS TO Llewellyn Griffith
Photography for Baccalaureate Reception & Commencement
Bert Saraco of Express Image Photography Photography for Graduate Portraits
Associate Dean Charles Hammond of Student Life
GREATER THINGS JOHN 14:12 (THE MESSAGE)
Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.
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