Congratulations Graduates!

On Friday, May 17, 2024, the 52nd Annual Commencement Ceremony celebrated 550 graduates who crossed the stage at the Westchester County Center in White Plains to receive their diplomas. The Top Shelf Party Band, comprised of alumni from 2003 to 2009, performed throughout the ceremony.

Recipients of this year’s President’s Awards for Distinguished Alumni were Dr. Robert Herman ’79 and former President of Film at Lincoln Center Lesli Klainberg ’85. President of the Purchase College Alumni Association Stephanie Blum '13 (Arts Management) presented the awards.

Provost Earnest with Distinguished Alumni Robert Herman and Lesli Klainberg and Stephanie Blum, PCAA President

Creative Writing major Cielo Howell offered remarks on behalf of the senior class while Sophia Orrico, a Vocal Performance major, performed the National Anthem.

Distinguished Alumni

‍Robert A. Herman, M.D., FAPA ‘79 (Chemistry) received his medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1983. He completed his residency in Psychiatry at New York University-Bellevue Hospital Center in 1987 and completed psychoanalytic training at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1992. He was certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Distinguished Life Fellow in the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. Herman has taught at New York University, Columbia University, the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is actively engaged in working to improve the mental health field for both patients and providers, serving on multiple committees and testifying and lobbying before elected officials for laws affecting the profession.

‍Leslie Klainberg ’85 (Film) was the President of Film at Lincoln Center (Klainberg has recently announced her departure from FLC) and is also an award-winning producer and director whose documentaries have screened at film festivals such as Berlin, Sundance, Outfest and Frameline, and have been broadcast on networks including Cinemax, AMC, A&E, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE, and PBS.

Prior to her role as President*, Klainberg served as FLC’s Managing Director and the producer of the New York Film Festival. From 2008 through 2011, she served as Executive Director of NewFest, the NYC LGBT Film Festival.