Class of 2012: Local Students Graduate College

Lyla Shaughnessy Earns Degree from College of Saint Rose

Lyla Shaughnessy of Port Chester was among 1,791 students who received undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates of advanced study from The College of Saint Rose in Albany.

Shaughnessy received a Master of Science in Education as a member of the Class of 2012.

The College of Saint Rose is a private, independent, coeducational, liberal arts college located in the heart of Albany, New York's capital city. The College offers 68 undergraduate, 46 graduate and 12 continuing education programs and serves more than 5,000 students. Through a strong liberal education curriculum and progressive academic programs, a Saint Rose education instills students with the passion, knowledge and purpose not only to do great things -- but extraordinary things.

Local students graduate from Cornell University

Cornell University says the following students graduated with the Class of 2012 during Commencement ceremonies in Ithaca, N.Y., on May 27, 2012:

Nicole Kelly of Rye Brook graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics and Mgmt.

Rachel Polonsky of Rye Brook graduated with an Artium Baccalarius degree in Psychology.

Meghan Brown of Port Chester graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics and Mgmt.

Manuel Davila-Molina of Rye Brook graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development.

Local Residents Graduate from Colby College

Area residents were among 465 seniors who graduated from Colby College May 20, receiving a bachelor of arts degree at the outdoor commencement in Waterville, Maine.

As commencement speaker, former British prime minister Tony Blair urged members of the Class of 2012 to continue learning with humility, to maintain an open mind, and to serve others. "Never stop learning. Carry on. And have the humility always to know that you can learn more," he said.

"Successful people are not defined by a restless search for fame and fortune but by an insatiable desire to be better and an infinite curiosity as to how. They're perpetual voyagers on the journey of self-improvement."

Colby President William D. Adams handed a diploma to each of the graduates. For digital images of graduates, please e-mail communications@colby.edu.

William F. Greenberg of Rye Brook, the son of Steven Greenberg and Hannah Strasser of Rye Brook, majored in government and is a graduate of Hackley School.

Brandon Nieuw of Port Chester, the son of Jose Caceres and Rose Garcia of Port Chester,  majored in anthropology and is a graduate of Rye Country Day School Upper School.