“School’s out for summer. School’s out forever. I’m bored to pieces!” – Alice Cooper.
The 76th College of Staten Island Commencement Ceremony was held this past Wednesday, May 28, 2025, on the Great Lawn. The annual graduation celebration, highlighting the accomplishments of CSI’s select undergraduate and graduate students, began shortly after 9:30 am ET and went off without a hitch despite an overcast sky.
“It’s my honor to host four departmental graduation ceremonies,” said John Jankowski, Managing Director for the CSI Center of the Arts. Jankowski, who received his bachelor’s degree in Theater Production and Design from Hunter College and master’s degree from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, added: “It’s the reason we’re here. It’s the reason why we’re at this college.”
2,166 students join the CSI Alumni Association following this year’s ceremony, a mix of native Staten Islanders, New York City residents, out-of-state, and an increasing number of international students. Last year, 2,060 students in total received diplomas.
Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, since being named the institution’s eighth president in 2023, has been an instrumental factor and presence in expanding the diversity and inclusivity on campus. Lynch delivered an address to the Class of 2025 after an introduction from CSI Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Steiper.
“Your development as individuals, as activists, as community leaders, as advocates, and now, as proud graduates of the College of Staten Island, is truly remarkable,” Lynch said in the early stages of the commencement. “What makes these accomplishments even more notable and noteworthy is the time in which you achieved them.”
Lynch also provided commentary on the resolve of this class of graduates following COVID-19. For most, this experience started in 2021, approximately 18 months after the country and world started scaling back and shutting down in March 2020.
“Coming out of a once-in-a-century pandemic, with the challenges of remote and blended learning, and amid a national and international political landscape marked by turmoil and uncertainty, you persevered, and you grew,” Lynch added proudly.
Acknowledging this accomplishment wasn’t just shared by Lynch, but other longtime members of the CSI Dolphins faculty as well.
“Today I led a cohort of alumni who came back, and they joined me for breakfast in the alumni office,” said Jacqueline Lamberti, Associate Director of Alumni Relations. “We got to reminisce and then we cheered on the graduates as they walked through and joined them in the procession, and it was just a great day. Very exciting.”
“For a lot of our alum, they didn’t get to walk because they were 2020 graduates and missed their chance. They were very happy to come back and participate.”
Neebal Abuhamdeh, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Linguistics, was honored as the valedictorian of the Class of 2025. Abuhamdeh’s speech was a recorded message shown on the big screens to the sides of the main stage.
Last year’s honorary Doctor of Humane Letters recipient was presented to Rear Adm. Zeita Merchant. Merchant made history in 2024 by becoming the first African American woman in Coast Guard to attain the rank of admiral. According to SILive, she now oversees recruitment at the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center in Washington, D.C.
Saturday Night Live head writer and Weekend Update co-host Colin Jost was originally scheduled to speak live but could not attend because of a prior obligation (film shoot) in Atlanta, Georgia. Jost received an honorary degree from CSI and in a recorded message congratulated the Class of 2025, still a delight to the few thousand in attendance.
Anna Lambert, a director at CSI for almost 10 years, knows how this time of year consistently hits home for every other department as well.
“We always want our students to end their college experience on a high note and despite the weather never cooperating, we manage to help them do it.” Lambert said. “Being in the office almost five days per week from late August until May allows you to familiarize yourself with names and faces.”
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