RIVERDALE, N.Y. – For the graduating class of Manhattan College student-athletes, this weekend will be one they will remember as they walk the stage at graduation and officially join the Manhattan College alumni community.
Graduate students who earned their master's degrees walked the stage on Wednesday afternoon in Draddy Gym. Student-Athletes who graduated with honors were honored on Thursday at a special ceremony that also took place in Draddy. Those who had their bachelor's degree conferred walked the stage on Friday.
This group of student-athletes managed to succeed in the classroom and on the field of competition, balancing the rigorous practice schedule required to compete at a high level and performing at a high level in the classroom.
Women's basketball senior Christina Katsamouri said, "I'm purely proud of myself, I look back, and I see how far I've come. I'm so grateful for all the people at MC and all the relationships I built. These four years were very special. I will hold them forever in my heart. I feel ambitious and ready to take on my next chapter, and as always, it's all by faith through grace!"
For many student-athletes, their journey in Riverdale has not concluded, with many choosing to return for the graduate years and pursue a master's degree while still representing the teams they have put so much heart into.
"I will be staying at Manhattan to study for a fifth year to pursue my master's of Organizational Leadership and to finish out my NCAA eligibility on the cross country and track and field team," said Nicola Scaglione. "The people I have been surrounded with created an environment that I was not quite ready to leave yet, and I am so grateful for this silver lining to get back that lost time due to the pandemic."
For those student-athletes who will be starting their adult lives with their first jobs, graduation is the first step in that journey.
Men's soccer senior Dorian Bounab shared that, "Earning a bachelor's degree is a step, but not the end. Of course, it makes me proud to graduate with honors, but being a student-athlete made me highly competitive in everything I do, and academics are part of it. I want to reach more and be the best in the classroom."
"Earning a bachelor's through the O'Malley School of Business means that I am going to have many open doors in my career because I have that name on my resume," said softball senior Marika Deemer. "Manhattan College has created a great name for itself, and because the school is so small, I know that when I find other Jaspers in the workplace, I will feel comfortable knowing that we will do whatever we can to help each other out."
As the time closes on student-athletes' time at Manhattan, moments, experiences, and friendships will be missed.
"Something I will miss the most about Manhattan College is playing on Friday nights in front of a big crowd in Draddy," said men's basketball senior Nick Brennen.
"I'm going to miss the people and relationships I've created here over the last couple of years, along with stepping on the field each week with my team", said baseball's Kyle Lesler.
Women's track & field student-athlete Precious Adegoke added, "I will miss the incredible people I have met here on campus. The experiences shared among friends and coaches will forever be a treasured memory."
"I will miss my friends and being able to spend time with them on the water, in the classroom, and everywhere in between!" said Claire Vredenburg from women's rowing.
"The thing I will miss most about my time at Manhattan College is just spending time with the guys on the team, before or after practice in GPAC or the hotel on an overnight trip," said Peter Vrankovic from the men's lacrosse team.
This week marks the 181st Commencement Exercises at Manhattan College.
