Caz College celebrates the Class of 2023 - its final class

Graduates Welcomed Into The Alumni Community

By KAtE Hill Staff Writer

On Saturday, May 13, Cazenovia College presented its 198th commencement. A large crowd of alumni, faculty, staff, trustees, parents, friends, and neighbors of the college community gathered on the campus quad to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2023, the final group of students to graduate from the historic institution.

On Dec. 7, 2022, the college announced its plans to permanently close following the spring 2023 semester due to financial difficulties.

Founded in 1824, Cazenovia College is the eighth-oldest private, independent college in New York State and the 28tholdest independent college/university in the United States.

On graduation day, the degree candidates and faculty members arrived at the packed quad in a procession led by the Mohawk Valley Frasers pipe band.

Following an invocation by Father Kevin Corcoran, the National Anthem by alumna Jaylah Wilson ‘22, and a welcome from Cazenovia College President David Bergh, Valedictorian Sarah Cole took the stage to address her classmates.

According to Bergh, who introduced her, Cole completed her environmental biology degree in three years while playing on the college’s soccer team and participating in many other activities outside of the classroom.

In her speech, Cole encouraged her classmates to take the time to recognize that the Cazenovia College experience is one of a kind.

“There are so many unique experiences that we have all had just because we came to this college,” she said. “For example, many have had the opportunity of continuing or starting new sports at a competitive level. Not many people can say that they started a new sport at the college level and were actually able to play in every game. We were also able to present our work and research to the town members and other distinguished members of our fields. These were amazing opportunities that many [other] schools could not have had the chance to have.”

Cole also said she hopes her fellow graduates realize that the connections they have made at the college are also unique and enduring.

“Most college students never get the opportunity to even talk to their professors, let alone become close with them,” she said. “I have had the amazing privilege of learning about my professors’ lives, and I know that they will support me in my future decisions. The same is true for the staff members; most students at other schools have not even spoken with the landscapers, maintenance workers, dining staff, or janitors of their school. I’m sure most of you know the names of at least a few of these amazing people here, and we are better for having known them. Being at a school this size means we know everyone.

. . We have all become close through the many activities held through the school. .

. That truly was a wonderful thing, and it made this experience a much happier one. Even though we will all be apart from each other after today, the connections we have made here will be lasting ones.”

Following the presentation of the student awards and honors, Bergh recognized Dr. John B. McCabe as the recipient of the distinguished service award, which recognizes individuals whose contributions to the college and the greater community have helped to improve the quality of life for others.

At Cazenovia College, McCabe has served as a trustee, chair of the academic affairs committee, and a member of the board executive committee. In the past six months, he has played a large role as a representative on the board teach out committee, dedicating countless hours to attending college leadership meetings and representing the board on numerous working groups.

Outside of the college, McCabe serves as board chair of the Rescue Mission Alli- ance, board chair of the Loretto Management Corporation, volunteer and medical director for the Cazenovia Area Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and former board member and vice president for Hope for the Bereaved. Recently, he received the board leadership award for his service to Loretto at the 2023 Non-Profit Awards presented by the CNY Business Journal.

According to the college, McCabe is a retired professor and chair emeritus in the department of emergency medicine at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, where he served as chief executive officer of University Hospital/Health System and senior vice president for hospital affairs at Upstate. He was a professor in the department of emergency medicine, for which he was the founding chair in 1992 and where he was also instrumental in developing the residency program in emergency medicine. McCabe was also the founding fellowship director of the program in undersea and hyperbaric medicine at University Hospital.

Bergh next introduced Dr. John Robert Greene as the 2023 commencement keynote speaker.

Greene, who was known as “the national face of Cazenovia College,” taught at the school for 42 years.

Prior to his retirement this past January, he served as the Paul J. Schupf Professor of History and Humanities.

Greene started at the college in September 1979 as a part-time instructor while also serving as manager of the campus radio station. He became a full-time faculty member in 1984, was tenured in 1987, and was named a distinguished faculty member in 1993. He was awarded the college’s first endowed chair, the Paul J. Schupf Chair in History and Humanities, in 2000 and a distinguished service award in 2021. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the title of professor emeritus.

Greene was also the program director of the history department, he co-directed the dual major program in history and social science, and he served several

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