On Saturday May 20, families and friends gathered into the William R. DeCota Hangar, waiting for the more than 180 graduating students to walk at Vaughn College’s 2017 Commencement Ceremony. The conferring of master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees in engineering, technology, management and aviation to students began with a welcome from Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo.

The Honorable Christopher A. Hart, member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was awarded an honorary degree by the College and delivered the commencement address.

“As you go through the many doors that your degree will open for you, and as you take advantage of the many options that you will have from this day onward, keep your desire to learn alive and enjoy the many adventures and opportunities that your desire to learn will bring,” said Hart. “If your experience is like mine, keeping the desire to learn alive will be easy because learning generates an insatiable desire to continue learning even more.”

Hart became a member of the NTSB in August 2009, and was designated vice chairman by President Barack Obama. He served as acting chairman from April 26, 2014, until he was appointed by President Obama as chairman on March 16, 2015. His term as chairman ended on March 15, 2017, and he is now serving as a member. His 5-year term as member will end December 31, 2017.

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.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Left to right: Vaughn College President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo congratulates the class of 2017; The Hon. Christopher A. Hart delivers the commencement address on Saturday, May 20.