Pride of the City: Class of 2011

They are Rhodes, Fulbright and National Science Foundation scholars. They dream of inventing new transportation systems and medications to cure cancer. The City University of New York's extraordinary Class of 2011 includes a citizenry of well-rounded, public-service minded scholars, strivers and seekers ready for their next challenge - affirming society's investment in their education.

This year's CUNY graduates are U.S.-born and immigrant New Yorkers seeking an affordable, high-quality education in a challenging economy. They are students overcoming the hardships of poverty, illness and cultural barriers on a journey to become nurses, scientists, and presidents.

The Class of 2011 received an estimated 31,300 degrees this spring (including summer 2010 and fall 2010 graduates), including 11,700 associate degrees and more than 19,000 baccalaureate degrees.

Their future includes the CUNY Graduate Center. Harvard Medical School. Stanford Law. Yale University. Oxford University. Groundbreaking research backed by National Science Foundation Grants. International study of problems and programs, supported by Fulbright grants. Academic, dental, architectural and veterinary schools.

"The CUNY Class of 2011 has compiled an extraordinary record of achievement", said Chancellor Matthew Goldstein. "Whether they're New Yorkers contributing to their city and state as citizens and salaried professionals, graduate scholars deepening their - and our - knowledge of our world, or new arrivals gaining the credentials to transform their lives, they all will make a difference.

"We are exceptionally proud of our graduates-of their intellect, curiosity, hard work, determination to succeed and commitment to making their communities a better place as global citizens in a changing and unforgiving economy. Their degrees are important credentials to help them realize their dreams," he said.