Matilda Raffa Cuomo, Former First Lady of New York, to Deliver Commencement Address at Kingsborough Community College

BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Dr. Regina Peruggi, president of Kingsborough Community College (KCC), today announced that Matilda Raffa Cuomo, former first lady of New York, will deliver the commencement address at the college's 47th commencement ceremony.  Mrs. Cuomo and Mario Cuomo, the 52nd governor of New York, will receive the President's Medal.  The graduation will be held on campus, 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY, Tuesday, June 12, at 11 a.m.

As first lady of New York, Mrs. Cuomo was dedicated to service.  She diligently worked full time as a volunteer with state and elected officials, as well as community leaders, to establish programs to prevent child abuse, strengthen families, promote adoption for foster care children and prevent school dropout.  She is the founder of "Mentoring USA," an organization that has provided supportive mentors to more than 5,000 children.  Mrs. Cuomo has been described as the most active first lady in New York's history.

"We are honored that Mrs. Cuomo will deliver Kingsborough's commencement address," said Dr. Peruggi. "She is an inspirational and dynamic leader whom I have admired for many years. She recognized the necessity for broad range support and mentorship for young people in need across the state and graciously fulfilled it.  Her dedication to education and community service is unparalleled and is a model for our Kingsborough students. I am extraordinarily pleased to award her and Former Governor Cuomo the President's Medal in recognition of their devotion and commitment to serving the people of New York State."

The Class of 2012 valedictorian is Nelli Sidorova. Ms. Sidorova, 27, is a native of Russia, a business major and has a perfect GPA of 4.00. She has been actively involved in the Honors Program, served as an Honors representative and has been a leader in a number of Business Clubs and activities.

About Kingsborough Community College
KCC, among the top ten percent of community colleges in the country, is located on a 70-acre campus in Manhattan Beach, on the southern tip of Brooklyn.  It was founded in 1963 and serves approximately 30,000 students per year.  It offers a wide range of credit and non-credit courses in liberal arts and career education, as well as numerous specialized programs.  The campus overlooks three bodies of water:  Sheepshead Bay, Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Contact:    
Ruby Ryles
Kingsborough Community College
718-368-5543
[email protected]
www.kbcc.cuny.edu
www.twitter.com/KCCBrooklyn
http://kbccdigest.kbcc.info

SOURCE Kingsborough Community College