Senior Send-off Attracts Record Crowd

05/08/2015 

Hats off to the class of 2015!

A record number of graduating seniors attended SUNY Cortland’s popular Senior Send-off event, which serves as the unofficial kick-off to the week leading up to the College’s Commencement ceremonies.

The annual social event, organized and sponsored by SPARK (formerly the Student Alumni Association), attracted 714 students to the Lynne Parks ’68 SUNY Cortland Alumni House on Thursday night. SUNY Cortland’s soon-to-be graduates enjoyed free food catered by M&D Deli, drinks and more than $1,000 in prizes provided by the College’s Alumni Association and Student Government Association.

They also got their fix of selfies.

As usual, the highlight of the night for members of the senior class was the ability to pose for pictures with SUNY Cortland President Erik J. Bitterbaum and Ellen Howard Burton. Students, parents, families and friends are encouraged to continue Thursday’s fun and tag their graduation-themed posts and pictures on social media with #Cortland15.

Even Blaze, the College’s red dragon mascot, made an appearance at a record-breaking Senior Send-off event Thursday, May 7.

Class of 2015 graduates also are reminded to register for the Red Dragon Network to continue receiving SUNY Cortland alumni perks and news of networking opportunities after graduation. Thursday night’s raffle prizes included: $500 worth of gift cards to New York & Company and Men’s Wearhouse for professional work attire; a $500 voucher for a graduation party at the Parks Alumni House; 10 complimentary passes to the first-ever Young Alumni Reunion Day (YARD) event at Alumni Reunion 2015; and plenty other SUNY Cortland alumni-themed swag.

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