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Graduation Reception

NACTEL Graduation Reception 2006

The Pace University NACTEL graduating class of 2006 was the largest in the seven years of the NACTEL program, with a total of 85 students graduated: 54 A.S. degrees and 31 B.S. degrees, and 24 were able to travel to NYC to attend the Pace graduation ceremonies at Radio City Music Hall:

NACTEL Reception 2006
A reception honoring the NACTEL graduates was held following graduation at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square in New York City.

Student Speakers

Jose L. Cepeda
NACTEL Program Award
‘Pace All the Way’ Award
Summa Cum Laude

Jose recalled how he had so disappointed his father when, as a 17 year old, he dropped out of college to enter the workforce. Now, 22 years later, he expressed his thanks and appreciation for the second chance he was given to complete his degree and fulfill his lifelong dream. In addition to thanking Pace, NACTEL and the instructors and staff, Jose also thanks his wife and family for their support, and especially thanked his father, “It took me 32 years Dad, but this degree is for you.”

Scott P. Dentzen
‘Pace All the Way’ Award
Magna Cum Laude

As one of the original students when the NACTEL A.S. degree program was first launched in 1999, Scott underwent some obstacles that interrupted his studies – like being deployed overseas in the military – but credits Pace for helping him resume his studies and back on track upon his return. With two young kids, ages 11 and 9, Scott wants to provide an example for his children and prove that hard work does pay off. “My thanks to IBEW, Pace and Verizon.”

Casey Windrider
Pace NACTEL Program Award
Summa Cum Laude

Casey enthralled the audience at the Reception with her speech on the Lessons of the Geese. Casey compared interesting facts about geese, and their survival to the behaviors of a team, like NACTEL, the Pace faculty and staff and most of all, the students. Geese fly in a V formation because it creates uplift for the others and adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Similarly, the Pace-NACTEL family share a common direction and ‘make the going quicker, and easier because [we] are traveling on the trust of one another and lift each other up along the way.’ In addition to her appreciation to Pace, NACTEL and her husband, Casey sends thanks to her fellow students: “Thanks to all of you for the support and lift that you have provided for me along our flight path.”

Reception Highlights

• Dean Susan Merritt congratulated all the students, those present and not present, as ‘pioneers’ because their degrees were earned online. ‘What you have done may, in 20 years, become the norm.’ Dean Merritt also noted that 2006 marked Pace’s 100 year anniversary and now all of the NACTEL graduates are part of the Pace University family.
• David Sachs, Associate Dean and NACTEL Co-Chair, noted that while the graduates were the focus of the celebration, ‘don’t lose sight of all the support people who have helped you through this’, including the family members, friends and coworkers.
• Susan Kannel, NACTEL Executive Director, commented that the success of the NACTEL program is a result of the unique partnership of telecommunications employers, their unions and Pace, which ‘has moved this organization as the premier source of quality online education for the telecommunications industry.’
• Yvette Herrera, Assistant to the CWA Executive Vice President and NACTEL co-chair, congratulated the students on their discipline and commitment to accomplish their goals, and noted that ‘we need more of our members to take advantage of this program. Please go back to your co-workers and let them know of your success … because despite economics and mergers, you will always have that degree to take with you.’
• Dan Crocitto, Verizon Manager of Education Partnerships, commented that, due to the success of the Pace programs, the NACTEL Board is considering expanding the education offerings because ‘the cornerstone of our industry is change. We commend you, the graduates, for taking the initiative to change, because we need more people that embrace change to help our industry move forward.’
• Professor Nancy Hale, Pace Co-Director of the NACTEL program, highlight these facts about this year’s graduates:
  • 2006 marked the first year of graduates for the Ivan G. Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems (renamed just this year)
  • this was the fifth NACTEL A.S. degree graduating class
  • 85 individuals graduated this year: 54 with an A.S. degree, 31 with a B.S. degree
  • 4 graduates were from the original Pilot group that started in 1999
  • 49 grads received honors
  • 30% were women
  • the average age of graduates is 44
• Professor Hale closed by saying, ”You are all very special to us so please keep in touch.”
• Graduates were able to meet face-to-face with the Pace staff who had supported them, including Student Advisor Nancy Treuer, and Proctoring Coordinator Tricia Vogel.
• Students also met some members of the NACTEL Board of Directors: John Walsh (IBEW), Bob Greaney (AT&T), Dan Crocitto (Verizon), Kevin Celata (CWA), Yvette Herrera (CWA), Pam Syverson (Qwest) and Executive Director, Susan Kannel.

Graduation Photos
2006 Graduates
Student Profiles