Baruch College Holds 2019 Commencement

Ceremony celebrates the academic success and accomplishments of more than 5,100 students

June 3, 2019

Baruch College awarded degrees to more than 5,100 students at its 2019 Commencement Ceremony on June 3 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Class of 2019 now joins a network of more than 145,000 alumni around the world.

Baruch College President Mitchel B. Wallerstein, PhD, presided over the exercises, and David Christy, PhD, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, served as the master of ceremonies.

Watch Video: Watch the 2019 Commencement Ceremony here (video begins at 15:00).

‘I Know That you Have What it Takes to be Leaders in Your Chosen Fields’

In his opening remarks, President Wallerstein welcomed graduating students, their families and friends, alumni from the classes of 1959 and 1969, members of the faculty, and The City University of New York Board of Trustees who were gathered in the packed arena.

President Wallerstein spoke about how Baruch is an incredible institution that has earned a national reputation for being an engine for the economic and social mobility of its students, propelling many incoming students from the bottom 40 percent of household incomes, to the top 40 percent after graduation.

“We strive to develop citizens and future professionals who can collaborate effectively across national, racial, ethnic, and religious lines, and who appreciate the value and importance of international engagement and respect for those who come from different backgrounds,” said President Wallerstein.

“Equipped with your Baruch degree—and the intelligence and tenacity that got you through college or graduate school—I know that you have what it takes to be leaders in your chosen fields.”

Honorable Carl E. Heastie: Commencement Speaker

Speaker of the New York State Assembly and distinguished alumnus Carl E. Heastie (D, 83rd A.D.) delivered the keynote address to the Class of 2019.

Speaker Heastie (D, 83rd A.D.) has the historic distinction of being the first African American to serve as leader of the Chamber’s 150 members representing communities across the state.

In his speech, Heastie gave Baruch’s Class of 2019 the following advice: “Both as a leader and a father, I feel a great sense of responsibility to help prepare the next generation of leaders. All of you are here today because someone opened doors for you in hopes that you would make the world a better place. So do it. Go make the world a better place.”

Heastie added, “Just remember, if you find yourself in a position to be helpful to someone who may not have been on your side or helped you during your journey, stay true to your core values and focus on what people need, not what you want.”

In 2007, Heastie received a Master in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the Zicklin School of Business. A product of New York City’s public schools, he has been an advocate for education throughout his career.

Max Berger: Honorary Recipient

The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, was awarded to Max Berger (’68) in recognition of his decades-long dedication to the College. The degree is the highest honor Baruch College confers upon an individual for non-academic achievement.

Mr. Berger is one of the most influential individuals in the history of Baruch College.

When serving as student council vice president in the Bernard M. Baruch School of Business and Public Administration at City College, Berger and his colleagues mobilized the student body, alumni and faculty, and defeated a proposal to convert Baruch into a two-year upper-division business school. As a result of their efforts, the then-called Board of Higher Education preserved the school as a four-year public institution within The City University of New York (CUNY) system, and making it independent of City College.

Berger, who received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accountancy from City College, is a founding partner of the law firm Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP.

50th Anniversary: Decades of Access to Excellence and the American Dream

The 2019 Commencement Ceremony also celebrated the College’s 50th anniversary. Since 1968, Baruch College has been providing inclusive, transformational education to undergraduate and graduate students from New York and around the world.

As the College looks to the future, Baruch is well positioned for the next 50 years to continue to offer access to academic excellence and the American Dream.

Watch Video: Learn more about Baruch College’s 50th Anniversary, meet the people who helped shape its history, and view archival photos and footage.

Degrees Conferred

More than 3,800 undergraduate and over 1,200 graduate students received their degrees.

The Zicklin School of Business conferred 858 Master of Business Administration and Master of Science degrees, as well as 2,868 Bachelor of Business Administration degrees.

The Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs conferred 273 Master of Public Affairs, Master of International Affairs, and Master of Science in Education degrees. Additionally, there were 61 Bachelor of Science degrees conferred.

The George and Mildred Weissman School of Arts and Sciences conferred 161 Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees, and 925 Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees.

# # #