ESF Sends 88 New Environmental Leaders into the World

Graduates celebrated for resilience, innovation, and commitment to improving our world

12/09/2024

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Dec. 9, 2024 — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) held its December commencement ceremony Dec. 9 in Hendricks Chapel on the Syracuse University Campus awarding 88 degrees, including 12 master’s degrees and six Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

ESF President Joanie Mahoney congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments.

“You’ve reached an incredible milestone through resilience, dedication, and a commitment to learning and growth. Completing a degree at ESF is no small feat. Our programs are rigorous, our standards high, and the last few years have tested each of you in ways we couldn’t have anticipated. And yet, here you are — stronger, wiser, and ready for what lies ahead. Today, you stand as environmental stewards, scientific innovators, and thought leaders, poised to make your mark on the world.”

“As you step into the world, remember that the need for your expertise, your commitment, and your vision has never been greater. We face profound challenges—climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss—and these require urgent action, innovation, and collaboration. Each of you is uniquely prepared to take on this call, to be part of the solution, and to lead by example.”

Student speaker Abhinaya Polaka, an environmental science major with a concentration in renewable energy and an environmental policy and communication minor, drew a parallel between ESF students and the growth of an acorn to an oak tree.

“We’ve been growing, just like the acorn, our school’s mascot. And today, we stand at the threshold of something big, something powerful, and something that’s just beginning to take root.

“Let’s take a moment to think about the acorn. It’s small but inside it is something powerful, something with the potential to grow into a mighty oak tree. And if you look at each of us in this room today, you’ll see that we too, were like those acorns when we first arrived here. We were full of potential but still figuring out exactly how to grow.

“In our time here at ESF, we’ve been nurtured, challenged, and given the tools to grow strong and capable. Just like that acorn, we’ve put down roots, deep into the knowledge, experiences, and values that will carry us forward. We’ve learned to weather the storms, adapt to the changing seasons, and face obstacles head-on. Some of those obstacles came in the form of 8 a.m. classes, caffeine-fueled all-nighters, and the occasional lab assignment that had us questioning our life choices. But we made it through. And each one of us has grown, just like the acorn, into something much bigger than we were when we started.”

Before presenting the graduates for their degrees, Dr. Zora Thomova, associate provost and dean of ESF’s Graduate School, highlighted the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 which include:

• Five bachelor’s candidates completed the ESF Honors Program
• Nine graduates were inducted into Alpha Xi Sigma, the ESF Honor Society
• One graduate participated in the ESF in the High School program
• Two graduates are U.S. Armed Forces veterans

Gail Romano, president of the Alumni Association welcomed the graduates to the as new members of the Alumni Association. “When you started your journey at ESF, your knowledge, skills and discernment were just beginning to grow. They were nurtured by wonderful faculty and staff and enriched by special experiences. You have matured and progressed. You began as acorns, full of potential, and have certainly grown into mighty oaks.”

Dr. Samuel Mukasa, executive vice president and provost, told graduates they could either be lucky or make their own luck “because you will need it during your career that begins about now.”

The ceremony celebrated the achievements, growth, and potential of ESF’s newest graduates, as they step forward to tackle environmental and scientific challenges on a global scale.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.