Manhattan College Awards Master’s Degrees At Graduate Commencement

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Manhattan College awarded master’s degrees to students in the graduate programs of education and engineering, as well as bachelor’s degrees in organization management to students in the adult degree completion program, at its Graduate Commencement on Wednesday, May 23. The ceremony was held in the College’s Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers.

During the ceremony, an honorary Doctor of Science degree was presented to Francis J. Lombardi, chief engineer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Lomnbardi oversees the Port Authority’s engineering department, which includes 600 employees and 180 technical and advisory consultants.

In his keynote address, Lombardi said, “You are now in a position where others will look to you as experts in your respective fields. Don’t ever take that responsibility for granted. What you know can make a difference. As you re-enter the word as graduates, I wish you the very best in using your knowledge to make it a better place. You have much to be proud of, and there are many people looking to you to see what you do next.”

Since Sept. 11, 2001, Lombardi has played a vital role in the $565 million reconstruction of the interim PATH-WTC station at the 16-acre World Trade Center site. He is also a member of the Society of American Military Engineers, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, the Board of Consultors to the department of civil engineering at Manhattan College.

Founded in 1853, Manhattan College is an independent, Catholic, coeducational institution of higher learning offering more than 40 major programs of undergraduate study in the areas of arts, business, education, engineering and science, along with graduate programs in education and engineering. For more information about Manhattan College, visit www.manhattan.edu.