SUNY Potsdam students walk the stage

The SUNY Potsdam Class of 2025 braved a cloudburst and thundering skies as they lined up for commencement, but were rewarded shortly thereafter with a welcome spot of sunshine to mark the conclusion of their studies. As he opened the ceremony with the Ohen:ton Karikwatekhwen ("The words before all else"), Jake Thompson '25 of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation gave greetings to the four winds and the Grandfather Thunderers, who had just been there. Through the raindrops, Inca-Sole Picon '25 sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a hymn of liberation and hope, while her fellow Crane School of Music graduates Eddie Hayes '25 and Haleigh Vescio '25 led the crowd in the national anthems of Canada and the United States, respectively. See story here.