FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: May 14, 2008

CONTACT: Lisa Saunders

(845) 574-4244

Rockland Community College’s 47th Commencement Exercises

Award-Winning Broadcaster, Alumna Lisa Reyes ’96, to Address Graduates

Suffern, NY - SUNY Rockland Community College will commemorate its 47th commencement on Sunday, June 1, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse, 145 College Road, Suffern.

The College will celebrate the graduation of more than 750 students who completed their requirements in Summer '07, Winter'07 or Spring '08.

Local dignitaries, college faculty and officials, and family and friends of the graduates will be in attendance. The audience will be addressed by alumna Lisa Reyes ’96, an award-winning broadcaster at News 14 Carolina; George Rivera, a December ’07 graduate; and Dr. Cliff L. Wood, President, Rockland Community College.

ALUMNI SPEAKER

Lisa Reyes ’96, Associate in Art, Liberal Arts and Sciences: Humanities and Social Science

Award-winning broadcaster Lisa Reyes is an anchor/reporter at News 14 Carolina, reporting to work at 4:30 a.m. in order to greet the audience she has grown to love.  Upon graduating RCC, the North Rockland HS graduate went on to New York University, graduating magna cum laude in ‘99 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communication Studies. Reyes took a job at a Time Warner affiliate as a news assistant and segment producer. Her reporting career began at KBIM in Roswell, New Mexico, where her coverage of wildfires earned her an award for Best Breaking News from the New Mexico Associated Press.

STUDENT SPEAKER

George Rivera, Dec. ’07, Associate in Applied Science, Paralegal Studies, GPA 3.96

George Rivera of Thiells is a 52-year-old returning adult student. A jet engine technician for the Air National Guard for the last 25 years, Rivera already earned an associate’s degree from the Air Force in Powerplant Technology. Seeking a career change, he enrolled at the College to meet his goal of becoming a Paralegal Specialist in the Federal system, which requires a paralegal degree. He is a member of the honor societies Phi Sigma Omicron and Phi Theta Kappa, and is an Hispanic Heritage Achievement Award winner.

Rivera will begin earning a bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies this fall at Purchase College. Thanks to an agreement between Purchase and SUNY Rockland, he will be able to continue taking his courses on the SUNY Rockland campus.

Rivera is the New York State Hispanic Program Manager for the Air National Guard, Champion Pistol Shooter and father of two children, Joshua and Danielle, who are both students at RCC.

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.