On a sunny spring day, Long Island University President Dr. Kimberly Cline conferred more than 2,000 degrees to students graduating from LIU Post, LIU Brentwood and LIU Riverhead at the 60th annual commencement ceremony held May 11, 2018, on the Post campus in Brookville.
From the stage erected at the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium notable speakers including U.S. Sen. Chuck Schemer, New York’s senior Democratic Senator, addressed the enthusiastic graduates seated before them on the field while their friends and families looked on from the stands. President Cline told the Class of 2018 she felt a special connection with them because they began their matriculation at the University just after she started here.
On hand receiving honorary degrees were Rao S. Anumolu, founder of one of the region’s top professional and technical support services companies, and Brett Yormark, Chief Executive Officer of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. Gathered with Dr. Cline were the University’s Board of Trustees, esteemed faculty and dedicated staff.
Commencement speaker Brett Yormark invited graduates to consider new beginnings as their undergraduate careers were coming to an end.
“If we don’t take a moment to acknowledge these beginnings, to celebrate the immense opportunities they provide to us,” Yormark said, “then we risk never reaching those grand goals we set for ourselves.”
Looking at his own career, Yormark discussed the drive and focus it took to earn the title CEO and to achieve his goal of bringing the Nets to Brooklyn. His passion, intensity and “clear-eyed” determination paid off when Brooklyn-born hip-hop artist and businessman Jay Z aligned with the Brooklyn Nets as minority owner and opened the new Barclays Center arena with eight straight sold-out shows.
“Without your beginnings, there is nothing on top of which the rest of your life can stand,” Yormark said. “Recognize, celebrate and learn from these beginnings.”
The ceremony was also covered in Newsday.
Congratulations to the Class of 2018!
