School of Professional and Graduate Studies Selects Valedictorian

May 19, 2012

BROOKLYN, NY May 20, 2012 - St. Josephs College School is pleased to announce that Ms. Corinne Powers was the first-ever active duty military officer to be selected as the School of Professional and Graduate Studies valedictorian for the Brooklyn Campus at the Colleges 93th annual commencement exercises held on May 20 at the Brooklyn Marriott.

A commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, Ms. Powers earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.88 at St. Josephs College while serving a tour of duty at Sector New York as the Education Services Officer.  She earned the Coast Guards Commendation and Achievement Medals for performance of duty and a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for her service to the community with Greater New York Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Project Hospitality, among others. She was accepted into the prestigious U.S. Coast Guards Pre-Commissioning Program for Enlisted Personnel Full-time Scholarship Program and was the first enlisted member ever accepted into the Staten Island Leadership Academy at the College of Staten Island. She is currently serving aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Willow in Newport, RI as a deck watch officer, and plans to pursue a masters degree in public administration with a concentration in international development at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

"St. Joseph's is honored to have the opportunity to assist our armed forces, both active-duty and veterans, in achieving their educational goals, said Dr. Thomas Travis, dean of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies. "Their integrity, competence, determination and discipline make an invaluable contribution to our College community, and Corinne Powersas a leader for both the Coast Guard and on campusexemplifies these important traits.

St. Joseph's currently has over 150 military-affiliated students enrolled in its programs. In addition to its Brooklyn and Long Island campuses, the College also offers courses online, at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, and at Fort Wadsworth in Staten Island.