Anguel Zapryanov is to be the valedictorian, and Laurie Kirschner the
salutatorian at Commencement on Sunday, June 14, at 10 a.m. in Library Plaza.
About 620 students are to receive degrees with the Class of 1998. The
College will award 500 bachelor's degrees, 117 master's and four doctorates.
Congressman Victor H. Fazio '65 will be honorary chancellor and
deliver the main address. He is to receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Fazio is serving his 10th term in the third congressional district of
northern California. Elected by his colleagues as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, the
third ranking Democratic leadership position, he also serves as ranking Democrat on the
Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. He also has served on the
Military Construction Subcommittee.
Allen L. Sessoms '68, president of Queens College, will receive an
honorary doctor of science degree. Diane Ravitch, a senior fellow in governmental studies
at the Brookings Institution, will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree.
Naomi Harel is to deliver the student address.
Nikki Stone '97 is to receive the Nott Medal in recognition of her
gold medal win in the women's aerial freestyle skiing at the Olympic Games in Nagano,
Japan.
Four alumni whose study at Union was cut short are to receive
bachelor's degrees. The College awards degrees to alumni who have completed at least
three years of study at Union, did not receive a bachelor's from another institution,
have received an advanced degree and have attained distinction in their field. This year,
they are Raymond DeMatteo '41, a Schenectady attorney and former city councilman;
Howard Breadmore '48, a periodontist in Coral Gables, Fla.; Howard Seld '35, a
retired attorney in Lake Worth, Fla.; and Dr. George Clark '42, a physician in Chazy,
N.Y.
The Baccalaureate Commemoration is Saturday, June 13, at 5 p.m. in
Memorial Chapel. The program is to include a keynote speech by Prof. Charles Steckler, and
a collage of thanksgiving from Jennifer Angerosa '98, Francesco Barbarino '98,
Leah Karp '98, James DiStefano '98, Julianna Spallholz '98 and Shana Meyer
'98.