Empire State University Celebrates Class of 2026 in Manhattan Ceremonies
Empire State University celebrated the Class of 2026 on Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 at the New York City Center, where 550 graduates crossed the stage. Empire State President Lisa Vollendorf, SUNY Board of Trustees Member Marcos Crespo, and University Councilmember Chris Erickson were in attendance. The university adds these recent graduates to its growing network of over 105,000 alumni worldwide.
Members of the SUNY Empire class of 2026 collectively live in 61 different New York state counties, 24 U.S. states and territories, and 17 countries around the world. They span five generations, from ages 19 to 83. Over 80 graduates are military-affiliated students including active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Reserve, veterans, spouses, and other dependents.
SUNY Empire President Lisa Vollendorf said, “Long after tonight, when the celebrations are over and the next challenge is in front of you, your experiences at SUNY Empire, including your ability to keep going, to adapt, and to finish what you started, will serve you well. Your future is only limited by the limits you place on yourself.”
SUNY Board of Trustees Member Marcos Crespo said, “I hope each and every one of you never trivializes this accomplishment, because the challenge that I want to leave you with is part of the core mission of SUNY. It’s not just to bring up and raise the next generation of talented professionals and graduates, but more importantly, that we drive forward our city, our state, our nation, and our world — that we continue to be the engine of talent that leads in whatever industry you’re going to go into.”
University Councilmember Chris Erickson said, “I remember my own graduation from Empire, and I’m proud of the history that Local Three has had with Empire State, going back to its beginning.”
Faculty Speaker and Associate Professor Barrie Eisenberg said, “As we have worked with each of you, we have witnessed a genuine, visible, and often remarkable transformation —in how you think, lead, listen to others, and contribute to society.”
Faculty Speaker and Lecturer Joanne Knapp-Elvidge said, “Creating your future doesn’t mean perfection. It means adjusting, learning, and moving forward anyway. At Empire State University, that is exactly what this place stands for, meeting students where they are and helping them move forward. And you are proof that it works.”
Student Speaker Robyn Guzman said, “At Empire, we found our place to reach for the sky. With persistence and determination, we learned alongside one another and discovered that resilience requires restoration and community, that setbacks are foundations for profound growth, and that together we bloom.”
Student Speaker Kemoy Watkins said, “The reason we’re here is beyond simply securing financial stability for ourselves and the people who rely on us; it’s to become a more educated citizen. It’s enlightenment.”
Student Speaker Desiree Charles said, “And here is what I need you to carry out of this room tonight: momentum is a decision. If you finished this degree in the middle of real life, you are already proof that you don’t wait for perfect conditions. That version of you doesn’t disappear when this ceremony ends. That’s who you are now.”
Read more about commencement at Empire State University.