DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez Delivered Keynote Address
SUNY Sullivan celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its 62nd Annual Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, in the Paul Gerry Fieldhouse.
Graduates representing associate degree and applied science programs crossed the stage before family members, friends, faculty, staff, and community leaders as the college recognized their academic achievements, resilience, and determination.
This year’s keynote speaker was Robert J. Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), one of the largest public finance and construction authorities in the country. Before leading DASNY, Rodriguez served as New York Secretary of State and represented East Harlem in the State Assembly for more than a decade.
“You invested in yourselves when you chose to pursue your education. Your families invested in you with their time, encouragement, patience, and sacrifice,” said Rodriguez. “SUNY Sullivan invested in you by creating programs, hiring faculty, and building an institution that takes its responsibility to this community seriously. And New York State invested in you — through SUNY, through financial aid, and through the belief that opportunity should not be reserved only for those who start life with advantages.”
Dr. David Potash, president of SUNY Sullivan, said Rodriguez’s path from East Harlem to statewide leadership made him an especially meaningful speaker for SUNY Sullivan graduates preparing to enter their own next chapter.
“We are honored to welcome Robert Rodriguez to our commencement stage,” said Potash. “His life story, from East Harlem to the halls of the State Assembly to the leadership of one of New York’s most consequential public authorities, is a powerful testament to what public service, hard work, and a commitment to community can achieve. Our graduates could not have had a more inspiring or relevant voice to send them forward into the next chapter of their lives.”
Dr. Ellen Galligan, secretary of the SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees, delivered opening remarks that framed the day’s milestone in the context of resilience and what comes next. Citing Robert Frost, she reminded graduates that “in three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on” and urged the Class of 2026 to carry forward what they learned in the classroom, along with their determination and adaptability.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of Chancellor’s Awards, SUNY’s highest recognition for outstanding achievement among students and employees.
Elizabeth Green, known to her classmates as Lizzie, received the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. A Liberal Arts major from Monticello and president of the Student Government Association, Green served as a student representative on the college’s President’s Cabinet and was a consistent presence on the Dean’s List. Green often described herself with a simple guiding principle: “I am a student first.”
Dr. Chyrise Elizabeth Taylor, director of Nursing programs, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Under her leadership, the Nursing program expanded from two cohorts to four, adding accelerated LPN-to-RN and evening options while NCLEX pass rates climbed from 38 percent to 86 percent.
Richard Butler, Maintenance supervisor, received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. Butler has served SUNY Sullivan since 1997, building a reputation for reliability, institutional knowledge, and long-standing dedication to the campus community.
Valedictorian Abigail Parucki drew on a personal injury and recovery she experienced in high school to frame her message to the graduating class.
“SUNY Sullivan wasn’t just a place where we earned credits; it was a place where we learned how to manage responsibility, how to grow under pressure, and how to keep moving forward even when things felt overwhelming,” said Parucki. “If there’s one thing I hope we all take with us from here, it’s this: you are capable of more than you think.”
Salutatorian Gwenneth Redman, a high school senior at Tri-Valley who completed college coursework alongside her secondary studies as part of SUNY Sullivan’s College in the High School program, told graduates that her path to higher education began with a medical crisis at age 12 — a locked jaw that sparked a passion for medicine she has carried ever since.
“None of us know what the future holds, good or bad,” said Redman. “Not all challenges we are forced to overcome have a bad outcome.”
This year’s graduating class included December 2025 graduates, May 2026 graduates, and August 2026 degree candidates. Students earning High Honors achieved GPAs of 3.75 or above; Honors graduates earned GPAs of 3.25 or above.
Earlier in the day, SUNY Sullivan recognized graduates from its Nursing, Respiratory Care, Medical Assisting, and Phlebotomy programs during the college’s annual Health Sciences Pinning Ceremony.
The platform party also included State Senator Peter Oberacker, Assemblywoman Paula Kay, Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz and Vice Chair Luis Alvarez, SUNY Trustee Candice Vacin, and members of the SUNY Sullivan Board of Trustees.
About SUNY Sullivan: SUNY Sullivan is the leader of innovative higher education and a catalyst for workforce development throughout the Sullivan Catskills and beyond. Our diverse community cultivates personal growth and professional advancement, preparing students for success in a sustainable and interconnected world. A forward-looking, top-tier community college in New York, SUNY Sullivan offers dozens of degree programs, certificates, and microcredentials for learners at all levels of their educational goals. We value critical inquiry and creativity while supporting our students in a culture of inclusion and respect.
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