The college will honor the two during the 107th Commencement ceremony on May 28 at Radio City Music Hall. WNBC-Tv news anchor and CNR alumna Shiba Russell is scheduled to conduct a live interview with Rivera on the Radio City stage during the ceremony.
“We are proud to honor Mariano Rivera and Sister Alice with degrees from The College of New Rochelle," said Judith Huntington, president of the college. "These two honorees, individuals of great generosity, integrity and service to others, are reflections of our mission and the essential element of service.”
Gallin is "a noted scholar and leader in higher education" who graduated from CNR in 1942. She also taught at the Ursuline School and New Rochelle High School.
"Sister Alice’s impact has been felt far beyond The College of New Rochelle," representatives said. "She was executive director of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) from 1976 to 1992, where she became involved with the Secretariat for Higher Education as the group’s only female member."
Rivera, who lives in New Rochelle, has been described as "the greatest closer in the history of baseball," representatives said. Rivera grew up in Panama, where he played baseball.
"In Rivera’s native Panama, his foundation has assisted in rebuilding several elementary schools in the interior of the country, and currently sponsors a program teaching children how to use computers to prepare them for our wired world," representatives said. "In New Rochelle, his foundation is in the process of restoring a historical church for his congregation, which is to include a community center for area residents."
Russell is a news anchor on WNBC in New York City and a magna cum laude graduate of CNR.
“As one of our most notable alumnae, Shiba Russell is a great role model to our students,” said Huntington. “Through her success, she demonstrates both the transformative impact of education and the value of a degree from The College of New Rochelle.”
To learn more about the honored guests and the commencement ceremony, residents are asked to visit the college’s website.
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