Today at the Purchase College Commencement Rehearsal, I got to address the Class of 2008. Although I didn't use this speech in its entirety (I ad-libbed), I am posting it here anyway...
- Jeffrey Putman, President, Purchase College Alumni Association
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You are almost there. Graduation is tomorrow. An end to your undergraduate, and for some of you, graduate study. It is also a new beginning… a time to look toward the future.

When I received by Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1996, I did not dream that today I would be honored to stand before you today as the President of the Alumni Association representing more than 15,000 alumni of Purchase, and tomorrow I look forward to celebrating with you at the Thirty-Sixth Annual Commencement.

As President of the Alumni Association, the Board of Directors and I are seeking and implementing innovative ways for graduates and families of graduates to stay involved with the College. Yes, we are on Myspace and Facebook, so come find us there… but it is really a two-way street. The College will continue to enrich your lives as long as you stay connected and feel the pride that you, too, are "Proof of Purchase". I also hope that you will avail yourself of many other opportunities which the College and the Alumni Association offer to you which enable you to network, interact, and return to Purchase College.

The Class of 2008 is very generous to have raised money as part of the Class of 2008 senior gift in support of scholarships for future Purchase students and you can continue to assist in that effort today by purchasing a "Class of 2008" t-shirt. Your continued support of Purchase College is important, and I hope you will continue to join me in giving back to Purchase. That way, we can help the students of tomorrow to ensure that they have the ultimate "Purchase experience", just like we did.

It is my hope that each of you will continue to participate and be a part of the Purchase College family in ways that help to support and preserve the special place that is Purchase. The Alumni Association is here to help you with your career, networking, and discounts at the Performing Arts Center, Neuberger Museum, and the gym. Our Alumni Association continues to grow and needs the help of all alumni to keep us connected. In other words, don't forget to "keep in touch."

So, as you sit here tomorrow and reflect on your experiences, among your many feelings, be sure to feel the pride in who you are and all that you have accomplished and feel the pride we all feel in all of you.

As you leave, please remember to always make the most of your individual lives. No matter what your future plans are, as you start your new journey, believe in yourself, your family and remember the meaning of friendship, loyalty and integrity. But as those students who joined me in New Orleans to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts back in 2006 have already learned, be sure to use your degree as other Purchase alumni have before you, use it as a means to help others, use it as a way to give back to your communities, use it as a ticket to change the world.

On behalf of the entire alumni association, I once again congratulate you and wish you the very best…

BUT… before I go, I have one other responsibility before I leave this stage. There are two very important members of the Purchase College community who are leaving us this summer. While they have both promised me they will be keeping in touch and never truly leaving our family, the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association wanted to formally thank them for all they have done for students since they joined the Purchase community.

Lynn Mahoney and Charlie Ponce de Leon, by the power vested in me by and on behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the Purchase College Alumni Association, I hereby bestow upon you the "Golden Brick Award" which includes honorary membership in this Class of 2008 and the Alumni Association.