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College of New Rochelle Celebrates 2015 Commencement

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- The College of New Rochelle (CNR) held its 108th annual commencement at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan on Tuesday. More than 600 baccalaureate and more than 200 master's degrees were awarded to the graduates of its four schools. Special honors were awarded to Ellen Mooney Hancock and Lillian Roberts during commencement.

From left, Elizabeth Bell LeVaca, chair, Board of Trustees, Honoree Lillian Roberts, Honoree Ellen Mooney Hancock, and President Judith Huntington at The College of New Rochelle’s 2015 Commencement.

From left, Elizabeth Bell LeVaca, chair, Board of Trustees, Honoree Lillian Roberts, Honoree Ellen Mooney Hancock, and President Judith Huntington at The College of New Rochelle’s 2015 Commencement.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Hancock is a CNR graduate and received an honorary doctor of humane letters for being a nationally recognized leader in technology. Hancock's career began at IBM where she worked for 29 years and became the first female senior vice president in 1992. Hancock became the executive vice president and chief operating officer at National Semiconductor in 1995 and later served as executive vice president, research & development and chief technology officer with Apple Computer. 

Hancock also served as chairman, chief executive officer, and president at Exodus Communications and was ranked fifth in Fortune magazine's "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" list. Hancock is on the board of directors at Colgate Palmolive and Aetna. She holds a master's degree in mathematics from Fordham University and was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from Western Connecticut State University.

Roberts was awarded the Sister Dorothy Ann Kelly, Woman of Conscience Award in recognition of her conviction, compassion, vision and values. She served four terms as the first female executive director of District Council 37 union and was dubbed "Labor's Leading Lady." 

Roberts also served as vice president of New York State’s American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization, a vice president of the New York City Central Labor Council, and Co-Chair of the Municipal Labor Committee. She was instrumental in the establishment of the District 37 Education Fund, the largest union-based adult education in the United States. The School of New Resources DC 37 Campus at CNR resulted in thepartnership with District Council 37.

Network Journal named Roberts one of the “25 Most Influential Black Women in Business” in 2010. Roberts has received various honors such as the NAACP Roy Wilkins Award. Roberts holds an honorary doctor of humane letters from the College of New Rochelle and served on the college's Board of Trustees. 

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