This Friday, May 17, St. Francis College (SFC) will hold commencement exercises for approximately 800 students at two separate ceremonies that will take place at the historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. Located in the Flatbush neighborhood, Kings opened as a movie palace in 1929 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The first commencement ceremony, scheduled to begin at noon, will be for the approximately 450 SFC students who are candidates for associate’s, bachelor’s or dual degrees. St. Francis College president Tim Cecere will be among those addressing the students, their families, SFC faculty and staff members, and invited guests.

Local dignitaries who are expected to attend include Kings County District Attorney Eric Gonzalez; St. Francis College alumna Rita Joseph, the New York City Council Member representing District 40; and Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan, Bishop of Brooklyn, who will lead the invocation.

The midday ceremony will feature student Zenovia Gonzalez, a candidate for a B.S. in biology, delivering one of the two valedictory addresses. The second one will be delivered by Albion Veliu, a candidate for a B.S./M.S. in accounting and a B.S. in information technology.

David C. Banks, Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, the largest school system in the nation, will give the keynote address. A native New Yorker, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Chancellor Banks will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from St. Francis College as part of the festivities.

The second commencement ceremony, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., will honor the nearly 350 students who are candidates for a master’s or post-baccalaureate degree. Dr. Anil Kumar Palla, the chairman of University HUB, one of St. Francis College’s recruitment partners, will deliver the keynote address and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from SFC.

Commencement at a Glance

What: Honoring approximately 800 students who are candidates for associate’s, bachelor’s, dual, post-baccalaureate or master’s degrees. Ninety students will be receiving their degrees cum laude, 80 magna cum laude and 92 summa cum laude.

When: Friday, May 17, 2024
12 p.m. EDT (associate’s, bachelor’s and dual degree candidates)
5 p.m. EDT (master’s and post-baccalaureate degree candidates)
Please register here.

Where: Kings Theatre
1027 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, NY

Getting There: Via subway, take the Q to Beverley Road or the B to Church Avenue. The nearest MTA bus routes to Flatbush Avenue include the B103, B41, B49 and BM2. For more detailed information regarding public transportation to the Kings Theatre, visit the MTA website. There is limited street parking available. A public lot is located behind the Kings, offering first-come, first-served parking until 12 midnight.

Student Speakers: Class of 2024 valedictorians Zenovia Gonzalez and Albion Veliu

Keynote Speakers: David C. Banks, Chancellor, New York City Public Schools (noontime ceremony), and Anil Kumar Palla, the chairman of University HUB (5 p.m. ceremony)

Social Media: Terriers, please use the hashtags #sfcgradatkings #sfcgrad24 #terrierproud and #sfcny in your posts.

Members of the Media: Contact Maria Asteinza, Director of Integrated Communications, at [email protected] to arrange coverage or request interviews, photos or video.