Gregory Player Delivers Valedictory Address at Spring Commencement | Manhattan College
1. GREGORY PLAYER DELIVERS VALEDICTORY ADDRESS AT
SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Manhattan College student Gregory A. Player, a 2012 graduate of the civil
engineering master’s program, delivered the valedictory speech on May 19 at
the College’s Spring Commencement.
Manhattan College student Gregory A. Player, a 2012 graduate of the
civil engineering master’s program, delivered the valedictory speech on
May 19 at the College’s Spring Commencement.
“The diplomas and certifications bestowed today simply serve as a
baseline to measure both our learning and the personal success that
derives from it,” Player said.
He urged his fellow graduates to embrace the Lasallian heritage
engrained at Manhattan College by using their own knowledge and
achievements to serve others and better the world.
“As the term commencement denotes, this is a beginning — the
beginning of a longer journey to becoming leaders in the development of
a safer, more ethical and more socially just future,” Player added.
Player received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College in 2009. As an
undergraduate, he served as class president, as a member of the Pen and Sword Honor Society, and was
recognized with the Brother B. Austin Barry Medal for Civil Engineering. Player was also a Lasallian
Scholar, a resident assistant, a L.O.V.E. trip participant, and has volunteered with the Adelphia Fire Company
since 2001, earning the rank of lieutenant this year.
Since graduating in 2009, he has worked as an engineering associate for the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey, and most recently, as a project engineer for Public Service Electric and Gas Company in South
Plainfield, N.J.
“Gregory is a great human being who happened to be an excellent engineer,” said Moujalli Hourani, D.Sc.,
associate professor of civil and environmental engineering. “He is and will be forever a great Lasallian
leader!”
After graduation, Player plans to sit for the professional engineer examination to become licensed in New
Jersey. He also will continue to pursue a career related to critical infrastructure project management and earn
higher ranks within the fire service.
Player along with nearly 300 students graduated from the schools of business, education and engineering with
master’s degrees, from the school of continuing and professional studies with bachelor’s degrees, and from
the school of education with professional diplomas. Students who completed their studies in September 2011,
February 2012 and May 2012 participated in the ceremony.
John Esposito ’69, former president and CEO of Bacardi U.S.A., Inc. and Bacardi North America, delivered
the keynote address and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
