63rd commencement exercises Sunday - 2010-05-12

PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE HOLDING 63RD COMMENCEMENT ON SUNDAY
Ellen Rocco to deliver commencement address

Contact: Kenneth Aaron, Director of Communications
(518) 327-6297 / kaaron@paulsmiths.edu

PAUL SMITHS – Paul Smith’s College will hold its 63rd commencement exercises on Sunday, honoring 283 members of the Class of 2010.

Ellen Rocco, station manager of North Country Public Radio, will deliver the commencement address at the ceremony, which will be held at the college’s campus on the shores of Lower St. Regis Lake.

Rocco marked her 30th year at the National Public Radio affiliate earlier this month. After serving as NCPR’s development director from 1980-1985, she has been station manager since. Since her arrival and under her direction, the station has grown into a highly respected regional station. Since the 1980s, NCPR has installed 19 transmitters and expanded its service to include most of upstate New York, much of western Vermont and parts of Quebec and Ontario.

Kayel Conklin, president of the college’s Student Government Association, will be the student speaker at the ceremony.

Additionally, Richard Hannis, district director of the Upstate New York chapter of SCORE and a longtime supporter of the Paul Smith’s entrepreneurship program, will receive an honorary doctor of commercial science degree at commencement. Among other things, Hannis founded a business college in Russia after the fall of Communist rule; served as vice president of the National Alliance of Business and as chief executive of the New York State Private Industry Council; and served on the state’s Commission of Education Career Education Council.

Additionally, he has been honored by President Gerald Ford, was recognized by two New York State governors and was cited by a U.S. Commerce Secretary for his efforts on business development.

About Paul Smith’s College

At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. Our programs, in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences, draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.

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