5月29日, 2024 — Less than 48 hours after Poughkeepsie 毕业典礼 ceremonies concluded, Marist students received diplomas in Florence, 意大利. This year, the College honored eight students at Florence’s historic Palazzo Budini Gattai.

President Weinman speaking at Marist意大利毕业典礼. Nico Magri拍摄.

凯文·温曼总统, who made the trip to Florence after 毕业典礼 weekend in Poughkeepsie, praised the class for its resilience and developing skills to succeed in a unique international setting.

“You are equipped to be the leaders that we need right now to confront challenges and address opportunities,他说. “You are all well positioned to find solutions and help create a brighter future for yourselves, 对于你周围的人, 对整个世界也是如此.”

Florence 毕业典礼 procession with bet亚洲365欢迎投注意大利 leadership. Nico Magri拍摄.

All of the students celebrated studied at Marist’s branch campus in Florence in partnership with the Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM) Institute. Each one excelled at making their time at bet亚洲365欢迎投注意大利 meaningful.

All bet亚洲365欢迎投注意大利 graduates had unique experiences, 在他们中间, 赖利·塞维里诺，24岁, 妮娜·佩妮24岁, 和24岁的萨曼莎·里维佐. Rylie is a talented artist and restoration student who played a key role in restoring a 16th-century painting by Plautilla Nelli. 尼娜, was instrumental in starting a student government organization and completed an Honors thesis on synthetic materials in antique Italian oil paintings after studying abroad in Tokyo, 日本. Samantha was an indispensable student worker at the bet亚洲365欢迎投注意大利 office and interned twice at 米兰时装周. These are just some of the stories featuring students who made the most of their international experience.  

Consul General Daniela Ballard, 美国托斯卡纳总领事, and Emilio Romagna was a special guest at the ceremony. She spoke about how the students are true ambassadors of the US in 意大利.

Consul General Daniela Ballard, 美国托斯卡纳总领事, and Emilio Romagna speaking at Florence 毕业典礼. Nico Magri拍摄.

Florence 毕业典礼 at historic Palazzo Budini Gattai. Nico Magri拍摄.

凡妮莎Nichol-Peters, 意大利Marist董事, discussed how the bet亚洲365欢迎投注意大利 experience embodies the spirit of Ubuntu, an idea from her home in South Africa that represents our interconnectedness as humans. She spoke about the closeness of the bet亚洲365欢迎投注意大利 community and the significance of their support for one another.

Vanessa challenged the bet亚洲365欢迎投注意大利 graduates to “think of the greater questions, not only about what we might do but also who we will become, as a people and as a community. Never forget the power and the privilege of human connection and the value we each bring to those around us. Remember - I am, because we are.”

Associate Provost for International Engagement John Peters reflected on the graduates' bold achievement of graduating abroad.

“毕业典礼 is a time where as graduates you should be very proud, but I believe you have something to be even more proud of: the fact that you chose to study for your degree not in your home country but rather abroad in 意大利,约翰说. “You were challenged not only in your courses but also by immersing yourself in Florence to make a successful life. The wonderful outcome of this is that you will forever have two homes, 你的家乡，城市和国家, 还有佛罗伦萨, 意大利.”