One month until Saint Rose holds final graduation

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — When The College of Saint Rose sings its swan song this summer, students will be pondering their future. For freshmen like David Gerke and Matthew Rogozinski – they just started college – and now feel like they’re hitting the reset button. 

“Feels like I'm taking high school senior year all over again. I'm looking at colleges again. I'm glad that Siena found my pick for me. I got accepted," said Matthew Rogozinski, who is headed to Siena College.

Sophomore Antonio, an international student, is also now without a school, and struggling to find another with a good music program. “The music industry major has a lot of expensive, beautiful, wonderful equipment," said Antonio. “We’ve toured, like what, two or three universities already. None of them really compare,” he added.

For some students, attending Saint Rose is a family affair. “I'm a legacy student. So my grandma, my mom and my sister went here," said junior Katie Atchinson. "So it's kind of ending with me, and it sucks" the future Russell Sage student added.

Back to freshman David Gerke. He’s headed to Russell Sage as well. June won’t just mean the loss of a college but his friend, Rogozinski.       

“It's sad to lose a teammate because you build a tight family bond, but we will stay in contact, will stay in touch" said Gerke, a track athlete.

For students still undecided about their future college, Saint Rose representatives tell NEWS10's Zion Decoteau that all programs have at least one teach-out partner. Senior Abby Bravo won't have to worry about a new school, she just won't have her alma mater around anymore. Still, she says students' attitudes are amazing.  

“I have never seen this campus so unified. Especially when I got here during COVID, so we were very, very separated" Bravo expressed.

Commencement is May 11. School officials also say they are accepting community feedback concerning ideas for usage of the soon-to-be vacant school buildings.