Lehman College Gets the Message at 2023 Commencement— DJ Grandmaster Flash and José Rivera Honorary Degree Recipients
As a pioneer and founding father of hip hop, Joseph "DJ Grandmaster Flash" Saddler laid socially conscious lyrics over groundbreaking beats. At Lehman College's Commencement ceremony on June 1, 2023, more than 3,450 graduates will hear from the rap legend as they prepare to make their own music in the world.
Joining Saddler in receiving an honorary degree is José Rivera, a former State assemblyman and New York City councilman who spent 40 years representing the people of The Bronx and fighting for civil rights at home and as far away as Puerto Rico and South Africa.
“DJ Grandmaster Flash and José Rivera are cultural and political icons,” said Lehman College President Fernando Delgado. “By sharing their experiences, they will help our students see that there are many ways to make change in this world. We are proud to celebrate these two Bronx heroes.”
Lehman’s Class of 2023 is spread across six schools, including the new School of Business, and the first graduating cohort of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, which is based in the School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing.
The graduate address will be delivered by Magnum Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts recipient Alesha Alli, a clinical psychology major who grew up in Guyana. Alli is a Presidential Scholar and member of Psi Chi, the international honor society of psychology.
The ceremony will be available to stream live on the 2023 Commencement page at https://www.lehman.edu/classof2023/.