Empire State University Celebrates Class of 2024 in Winter Commencement Ceremonies
(ALBANY, NY – December 13, 2024) Empire State University celebrated the Class of 2024 on Friday, December 13 at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, NY. 375 graduates crossed the stage during two commencement ceremonies, marking unprecedented levels of participation for SUNY Empire’s winter commencement.
Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf, New York State Assembly Member Carrie Woerner, and SUNY Trustee Courtney Burke were in attendance.
Members of the SUNY Empire class of 2024 collectively live in 60 New York State counties, 26 U.S. states and territories, and 27 countries around the world. They range in age from 18 to 80. 108 of the graduates are military-affiliated students, including active-duty, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, spouses, and other dependents.
The afternoon ceremony featured student speaker Michele Paterson ‘22, ’24, a first-generation student who graduated with a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. Jeannie Lockwood ‘14, ‘24 also addressed the Class of 2024 during the evening ceremony and graduated with a master’s degree in adult learning.
Empire State University, SUNY’s leading online university, recently celebrated a major milestone – 100,000 alumni – which was recognized during the ceremony. The 100,000th graduate, Lorraine Williams ‘24, was part of the graduating class.
SUNY Empire President Lisa Vollendorf said, “Remember, Class of 2024, your degree is something no one can take away from you. Be proud of it. Use it for good—for yourself and for others. Use it to inspire and encourage other people—your children, your friends and family—to achieve their educational dreams.”
Assembly Member Carrie Woerner said, “If anyone asks what you’ve learned from your four years at Empire State University, I hope, in addition to your field of study, you tell them ‘I learned this: dream big, work hard, and finish strong.’”
SUNY Trustee Courtney Burke said, “As you step into the next chapter of your lives, remember that your education is more than a degree. It’s a foundation upon which you can build, innovate, and lead.”
Faculty speaker and Assistant Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Science Lynne Lubecki said, “Education is more than delivering content. It’s a process of learning, reflection, and growth. It’s about transformation—becoming more than you ever thought possible.”
Student speaker Michele Paterson ‘22, ‘24 said, “It’s up to us to pass our courage and confidence onto others. Right now, someone in your life is wishing they could earn a degree but doubting themselves. Find that person. Give them an encouraging word and a helping hand. Be a light for them to follow in the storm.”
Student speaker Jeannie Lockwood ‘24 said “Remember what you have achieved here. As we move into the world with our new degrees, my hope for all of us is that we remember this night and this feeling. Here we are celebrating ourselves as part of a milestone of 100,000 SUNY Empire graduates—100,000 dreamers, thinkers, and doers.”
Recordings of both ceremonies can be found on the commencement website.