STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — More than 2,000 College of Staten Island graduates in black caps and gowns walked across the campus’s Great Lawn on Thursday for the school’s 77th commencement ceremony.

The ceremony honored 2,326 graduates from the Class of 2026, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree recipients. Michelle Danglade, who earned a bachelor’s degree in history, served as valedictorian, while Ashley Villalva, a political science major from the Macaulay Honors College, was salutatorian. Both made speeches via video at the request of the college.

Michael Arvanites, a trustee of The City University of New York, delivered greetings on behalf of the CUNY Board of Trustees. State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who represents Staten Island’s North Shore and parts of South Brooklyn in the 23rd Senate District, also addressed the graduates via video.

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