On Saturday May 19, families and friends gathered into the William R. DeCota Hangar, waiting for the more than 180 graduating students to walk at Vaughn College’s 2018 Commencement Ceremony. The conferring of master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees in engineering, technology, management and aviation began with a welcome from Dr. Paul LaVergne, vice president of academic affairs followed by Vaughn President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo.

Rick Cotton, executive director of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) was awarded an honorary degree by the College and delivered the commencement address.

Rick Cotton became executive director of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) on August 14, 2017. Prior to joining PANYNJ Cotton served as Governor Cuomo’s special counsellor for interagency initiatives, serving as the point person within the Governor’s office for most of the Governor’s major downstate infrastructure priorities including LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Moynihan Train Hall and Penn-Farley Complex, the new Tappan Zee Bridge, the expansion of the Javits Center and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Second Avenue subway project.

“To the graduating class…the opportunity and challenge in the fields of aviation and technology could not be greater… The demand for talent has never been higher,” said Cotton.

President DeVivo closed the commencement ceremony by thanking the graduates for their contributions to the institution and wishing them well in the next chapter of their journey.

“Your accomplishments are forever linked to the success of Vaughn,” said DeVivo. “And our success provides you with a strong foundation from which to propel forward into a successful career and further education.”

View the 2018 Commencement program here.