The College of Saint Rose final commencement

The College of Saint Rose celebrated its last commencement ceremony as the College prepares to close its doors. Students have known since the end of the fall semester that they have to finish their degrees by the end of Summer 1 classes or transfer to another school.

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The College of Saint Rose celebrated its last commencement ceremony as the College prepares to close its doors. Students have known since the end of the fall semester that they have to finish their degrees by the end of Summer 1 classes or transfer to another school.

668 students walked across the stage at MVP Arena to receive the almost 2,000 certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees of 2024. Almost 50,000 alumni have graduated since the College opened in 1920.

Being the final spring semester at Saint Rose, students said the pressure to graduate was on. "A lot of it was the mentality that we’re all in this together and it’s all ending at the same time so let’s do our best," described Chris Nowicki, graduating with a bachelor’s in communications.

The closure announcement came after the College asked for financial aid from the city of Albany, Albany County, and New York State. Saint Rose said they have faced a significant drop in enrollment since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The school reportedly relies on tuition for 80% of its total budget.

"We heard some rumors first so we didn’t know exactly. The more rumors that came, the more we believed in it and then we got called into a big meeting with the president. I mean, it was sad, but it is what it is I guess," explained Victor Emil Boje Henriksen, majoring in marketing.

However, the end of an era did not bring down spirits at commencement. Kyla Mayberry said she’s graduating a year early – her hard work paying off.

"An extra two classes and I had to find a lot of like, substitute classes to be able to actually graduate with my degree so I’m very thankful to my advisor for helping me work through all of that and allowing me to graduate."

Not everyone graduating plans to stop their education here. Some families told NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski their scholars are looking into teach-out programs and other colleges for a master’s degree. Nancy Sanders, a grandparent of a Saint Rose graduate, said her granddaughter would have gotten her master's at Saint Rose but is forced to look for another college like everyone else.

The newest Saint Rose alumni aren’t forgetting about their friends without enough credits to graduate. They say these final classes brought the Golden Knights closer together than ever before. "Great night, celebrate it. Just have some beers afterward and cherish it," said Henriksen.