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LIM College held its 82^nd annual Commencement exercises on May 20 at 7pm. The virtual ceremony was streamed to a global audience.  

Iconic American supermodel Emme gave the keynote address. Emme is a worldwide influencer for positive body image and self-esteem, as well as a social reformer, media personality, author, and creative director. She received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree at the ceremony and was presented with ���Ҵ�ý���߹ۿ����’s Distinguished Achievement Award. 

Six hundred and thirty-three students make up LIM’s Class of 2021. Two hundred and thirty-five of these graduates received master’s degrees, 376 earned bachelor’s degrees, and 22 associate degrees were granted. 

In her remarks to the Class of 2021, Emme stressed the importance of building connections, saying, “No one wins by themselves and no one achieves great things alone. It’s teamwork. It’s always teamwork.” 

Emme also advised the graduates that as they pursue their careers, “Interviewers are looking for good people, open to learning, and positive folks they’d like to have around day in and day out… Show up a minute or two before being on time, roll up your sleeves, ask questions, do your best and the rest will take care of itself. Practice being your own best advocate and watch how your positive attitude and perspective will spill over to those around you.” 

In her address, ���Ҵ�ý���߹ۿ���� President Elizabeth S. Marcuse noted the significant challenges many members of the graduating class may have faced in completing their education during a global pandemic, including pivoting to virtual learning and coping with illness and grief. 

She said, “Despite all those tests, you made it here. You worked hard and you persevered. You adapted and you improvised. You masked up and you showed up, but you never gave up, even when that might have seemed easier. You trusted your faculty and advisors, you believed in yourselves, and you stayed connected and supported each other.” 

���Ҵ�ý���߹ۿ���� presented its Maxwell F. Marcuse Award to Erica Infantolino of the Class of 2003. She is the Division Vice President, Washington – Idaho for Macy’s. Named for LIM’s founder, the Maxwell F. Marcuse Award is the College’s highest alumni honor. 

Haley Steinberg, Class of 2014, Vice President of PR and Corporate Communications for Authentic Brands Group was this year’s Shining Star Alumni Award recipient and Patrick Mays, Class of 2012, Senior Director of Merchandising at Lucky Brand, received the Rising Star Alumni Award. 

Claire Andrews, who is from Florence, South Carolina, was the undergraduate Class of 2021 Valedictorian. Lauren Esposito from Port Washington, New York and Victoria Montalti from Brooklyn, New York were the undergraduate Class of 2021 Salutatorians. Upon graduation, Esposito is slated to enter Bloomingdale’s Merchant Executive Training Program. 

Dr. Kenneth Kambara, Associate Chair of Graduate Studies, received the Adrian G. Marcuse Award for Teaching Excellence. Named in honor of ���Ҵ�ý���߹ۿ����’s president from 1972-2002, this award is given to a faculty member who performs in exemplary fashion in the classroom and consistently embodies the College’s core values. 

Graduates’ families and friends also had the opportunity to be part of the virtual festivities by submitting photos and congratulatory messages that were shared with the audience at the conclusion of the ceremony. 

���Ҵ�ý���߹ۿ����’s 2021 Commencement ceremony is available for on-demand viewing at: /commencement