Stacey Franciamore of Westchester Magazine gives us a guide to local college commencements 

Iona University 

New Rochelle

Iona University will host its 80th annual commencement ceremony on May 17 on Iona’s New Rochelle campus. The commencement speaker is the former United States Congressman and House of Representatives Majority Leader Richard (Dick) Gephardt. He will deliver the keynote address and be awarded an honorary degree.

Manhattanville University

Harrison

The university will hold its graduate and doctoral ceremony on May 9 and undergraduate ceremony on May 11. The speaker for Manhattanville’s graduate and doctoral commencement is the renowned sports producer Gina Hemphill-Strachan. On Saturday, for the undergraduates, the award-winning author Megan Abbott will be speaking. If you can’t make it in-person, join the live-stream on Saturday at 10 a.m. to watch the ceremony.

Mercy University

Dobbs Ferry

Mercy University will host its commencement ceremony on May 21 and 22 at the Westchester County Center. The Dobbs Ferry institute has a lineup of honorary degree recipients including Cheryl Lynn Brannan, M.S, Traci F. Gardner, M.D, Dr. Raymond Sanchez, and Sonia Manzano.

Monroe College

New Rochelle

Monroe College will hold its commencement on June 13 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Pace University

Pleasantville, White Plains, and New York City

Pace University will hold its commencement ceremony on May 20 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Among the speakers and honorees are LaChanze, a Broadway powerhouse for 38 seasons; Angella and Danroy Henry; former president of DC Comics, Paul Levitz; David L. Reich, M.D; and Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, Honorable Rowan D. Wilson.

Purchase College

Purchase

Purchase College will have its commencement at the Westchester County Center on May 17.

Sarah Lawrence College

Bronxville

Sarah Lawrence College’s 96th graduate hooding will be on May 9, with the commencement ceremony on May 10. The commencement ceremony will be held rain or shine under a tent on Wetlands South Lawn. The ceremony speaker is U.S Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, M.D, BA. Dr. Murthy was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2021 to serve as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States.