New York graduates celebrate success at GCNYC

Glasgow Caledonian New York College (GCNYC) has celebrated its second commencement ceremony.

The College has been licensed since June 2017, when it became the first international institution to receive degree-granting authority in New York state.

Professor Pamela Gillies CBE, Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and President of GCNYC, said: “As a new outward-looking College for the Common Good in New York City, it was truly inspiring once again to hear about the strong sense of purpose of our mature graduates. 

"Their passionate commitment to finding and acting upon sustainable solutions to the major challenges all societies are facing through climate change, technological advances, ageing populations and lack of social inclusion and equality, is admirable. Our graduates clearly embody the best of values and their intellectual ability, good character and integrity shine through brightly."

The Commencement ceremony brought together family, friends, trustees and early supporters of the College in Manhattan to celebrate the students’ achievements. The students graduated with Master of Science degrees in International Fashion Marketing, and each wrote a dissertation which was presented in a formal townhall setting the night before Commencement.

Graduate Brittany DeColli said: “I felt and believed from the very beginning that something big was happening here and that I needed to be a part of it. I was extremely impressed with the business approach that GCNYC takes with sustainability and the immense amount of connections that are available to us through guest speakers and faculty connections. I’m leaving excited about my future and the contributions that I can make to the industry.”

The ceremony also conferred a lifetime achievement award on the Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jerry White, world-renowned for leading high-impact campaigns including the historic International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

Mr White, who is CEO of Global Impact Strategies Inc, said: “I am honoured to receive what really should be called my ‘mid-lifetime achievement award’ – as long as it recognizes the ups and downs and zig-zags along the path. The good news is that I believe GCNYC graduates are well prepared for even more radical, transformational leadership in our complex world.”

The College continues to strengthen its links within New York’s world-leading fashion and finance sectors. The graduates are joining fellow GCNYC alumni who are developing successful careers within these influential sectors, which are responsible for shaping policy and practice on a global scale.