Congratulations, Class of 2023! Speeches by Class Speakers:
Click here to read full remarks by John Park, MSW, '23
Melissa Torregrossa, BSW, '23
"Dear fellow graduates, distinguished faculty, and esteemed guests,
I am honored to be standing before you today. What I see in front of me is a graduating class of future social workers who arrived at Stony Brooks' School of Social Welfare with different backgrounds, experiences, and reasons for choosing social work as their calling. Despite these differences, there is one thing that unites us all - the belief that we can make a positive difference in this world.
This journey has opened our eyes to heartbreaking moments of suffering and injustice, and we struggled to navigate complex systems and bureaucracies that we were once unaware of. We have been taught to confront our own biases and limitations that we never knew we had, while learning the importance of incorporating self-care into our routine. Nevertheless, we persisted despite these challenges and turned those tough lessons into our passions. We’ve gained inspiration from seeing the resilience and courage of the people we serve and have committed ourselves to help some of the most vulnerable populations find their voice. Today, as we celebrate our graduation, we should do so with gratitude, pride, but also with humility. We’ve been afforded opportunities that have helped us learn from our clients and communities, and we’ve grown through our education both personally and professionally – but we still have a lot to learn. Let’s remember the sense of purpose and fulfillment that this profession has already brought to our lives, but always remain humble and firmly planted in the social work values.
Our work is far from over. This is just the beginning, and we must carry on with a sense of commitment and purpose, even on the hardest days. As former president Barack Obama said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” I personally will graduate today and continue on to the advanced standing master’s program right here at Stony Brook, with a specialization in Community, Policy, and Political Social Action. I plan to champion the unmeasurable existing societal inequities and systemic failures we have, while fighting to avoid the creation of additional ones. Through community organization, involvement in legislative advocacy, and a presence in elected offices, I hope to be just one part of the change that will lead to a better world ahead.
To our families and loved ones, on behalf of us all - thank you for your unwavering love, support, and encouragement. Without you, many of us would not be here today. To the faculty and staff of the School of Social Welfare, thank you for your guidance, wisdom, and mentorship. You have played a critical part in preparing us not only for our careers as social workers, but as role models we can aspire to follow in the footsteps of as we forge forward. To my fellow graduates, I also want to say thank you. Thank you for also choosing this profession, for bringing your unique perspectives and experiences to the table, and for inspiring me and others around you to expand our knowledge and become well rounded social workers.
To the class of 2023 – WE MADE IT. Now, let’s go show everyone why Seawolves are the best change agents in the world."
Fatoumata N Camara, MSW, '23
"Good evening, my name is Fatoumata Camara. I am so honored to deliver the commencement address for this incredible student body and to be a part of this important and long-awaited day. It is my pleasure to welcome students, families, and faculty to the School of Social Welfare commencement ceremony. I stand here before you, looking back on the two years, or more for some of us, of legacy we’ve all made together.
For the audience, please take a moment to take in the joy that emanates from the crowd surrounding you. Every one of you have made an impact on the graduates who sit before you here today.
Personally, my experience at the School of Social Welfare has been nothing short of amazing. As a Care Manager for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, I had so many clients who experienced amplified mental health difficulties in addition to food insecurity, limited social interactions, restricted visitations from families and providers. Every interaction they knew were resumed to video calls on Zoom or telephone calls when the lockdown was first implemented in March 2020. I struggled so much to get my clients what they needed and wished I could do more. During a conversation with my best friend talking about all the systemic issues that exist in our society and how much more impact it had on vulnerable populations, we both decided to apply to the dual degree program for the Master of Social Work and the Master of Public Health to start our journey of becoming agents of change.
Having been out of school for three years and returning in the middle of worldwide pandemic was one of the most challenging events I have had to endure in my life. However, despite the initial difficulties I along with many other classmates experienced, the School of Social Welfare faculty and staff did such a great job with offering ongoing check ins during our Practice I and II classes. Our concerns with field placements, our experiences whether positive or negative within the school were heard, acknowledged, and addressed. This support became stronger as we returned to in person learning into our second year in the program. We have continued to have great relationships with the faculty members. Classmates have become friends and colleagues in the field, and together we have banded to fight so many social injustices that marginalized populations are experiencing. We have also comforted each other through the darkest moments in the U.S. history, from the heartbreaking news of the shooting of innocent and unarmed Black and Brown people by law enforcements to the overturn of Roe vs. Wade. I am more than confident that the School of Social Welfare has prepared us to enter the workforce as strong, dedicated, mindful, and ethical agents of change.
Fellow graduates, as we enter the workforce, I want everyone to remember that it might take a minute for some of us to find our footings and what we are most passionate about, and that’s okay. As I was told by Assemblymember Chantel Jackson at Capitol Action Day in Albany after I confessed being worried of finding my footing into a world of Policing and Advocacy due to being an immigrant, she told me to make connections because our biggest asset is generally our network and that no matter where I am from, my work, passion, and dedication will determine how people listen to me. Now, my advice to you is that I want you to look to your left, every person sitting there is your network, and remember that every moment is an opportunity to learn from everyone around you, no matter their title.
As of a few months ago, when asked what I wanted to do once I graduate, I told everyone who has ever had a conversation with me that I want to fix the world because it is so broken. My experiences at my current field placement on the Policy and Advocacy team at the National Association for Social Workers, New York State Chapter and the School of Social Welfare here at Stony Brook University have allowed me to identify a starting point for my goal, which is to fight for “Equality,” an essential part of a social worker’s role. It is an issue that encompasses nearly all the issues already present in our current society.
As we leave here today, I want to challenge each of you to take the enthusiasm that surrounds you today out into the world with you and use it to obtain your goals. Continue to care, care about yourself, your friends and family, and the reason why you decided to pursue a social work degree. And when things get hard, I want you to remember that you are strong, that you can, and that you will!
I would like to acknowledge the incredible people in my life who made this day happen. I know I would not be here today without my mother, without my husband, without my incredibly annoying children, without my instructors, without my peers in the audience. So, I thank you all for helping me get through this incredible journey.
In closing, I would ask the graduates to join me in a round of applause for the family members and faculty who helped them reach this milestone. And to those in the audience who are here to honor this graduating class, please stand and join me in saluting our 2023 graduates of the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University.
I would like to end with a quote by John Lewis: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
