NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The academic achievements of students in the School of Arts & Sciences and School of Nursing were recognized during the Honors Convocation Saturday, October 18.
President Judith Huntington welcomed the students, family, and friends gathered at Holy Family Chapel, and personally congratulated all of the day’s honorees.
Alka Kurian, a 2013 graduate of the School of Nursing, spoke about how her perception of success has changed.
“When I was young, I though success was all about fame and fortune,” Kurian said. In college, students might define success by their grades. “I believe success is about contributing to society, being responsive to your surroundings, and being compassionate.”
Kurian recalled organizing a coat drive for a local shelter while a student at CNR, and being touched by the gratitude of the staff and homeless people living there. “I recognized the impact of such a small deed.”
“More importantly,” Kurian said, “I think success is about accepting that we are going to stumble and fall one day, and that failure is inevitable.” What matters is overcoming those struggles.
“As a novice nurse, I felt a tremendous amount of pressure to meet expectations,” Kurian said. “I realized that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. In those moments, I had to rely on my support system to get me through the difficult times.”
Dean Richard Thompson of the School of Arts & Sciences and Dean H. Michael Dreher of the School of Nursing presented the student awards.
They recognized honors students, members of the Dean’s Lists, and freshman and transfer scholarship recipients from both schools, as well as outstanding part-time students in the School of Nursing.
The Honors Convocation was one of many activities held on Family Weekend.