A Message from President Riley

By Office of the President | May 6, 2025

Capped, Compassionate, and Community Strong

Dear Downstate Community,

As the academic year ends, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the graduating Class of 2025. Your resilience, discipline, and hard work have brought you to this defining milestone of the walk across the stage and the beginning of your professional journey.

Commencement reflects a path shaped by personal growth, academic achievement, and a commitment to one of society’s most vital callings. This year, commencement will occur on Tuesday, May 20, at the Coney Island Amphitheater. I invite those who are able to join us in person or via livestream as we celebrate our newest graduates and their extraordinary accomplishments.

This season also calls us to reflect on the people and professions who sustain our healthcare system, especially during National Nurses Month. We honor the compassion, clinical skills, and steady leadership nurses bring to every care setting, driving our mission and inspiring those entering the field. For our graduating doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals, this moment serves as both recognition and a challenge—to carry forward a legacy rooted in service, excellence, and humanity.

Supporting that legacy requires a substantial investment in training and education. Governor Kathy Hochul’s FY 2025 budget affirms this commitment through a landmark $62 million allocation to expand and enhance nursing simulation centers across SUNY campuses. These centers provide future clinicians with the technology, tools, and immersive environments to build skills and confidence before delivering care in real-world settings.

Although Downstate did not receive funding as part of this allocation, we fully support the announcement and the broader vision it advances.

At Downstate, our Healthcare Simulation Center—equipped with high-fidelity mannequins, advanced clinical labs, and real-time scenario-based training—bridges academic learning and clinical practice. Our Colleges of Nursing and Medicine students depend on this hands-on environment to refine their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and prepare to meet patients’ needs.

For many of our graduates, that next step is just ahead. They will soon begin residencies, fellowships, and new roles in hospitals, research institutions, and community-based settings where their expertise is urgently needed. This moment brings both excitement and purpose. They are ready to serve with distinction, empathy, and dedication.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025: You’ve earned this moment to carry the knowledge, values, and experience to lead with integrity and make a lasting difference. May your future bring discovery, fulfillment, and meaningful contributions to a healthier, more just world.

As we continue celebrating the richness of our community this month, I encourage everyone to watch our upcoming Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event, co-sponsored by the Office of the President and the Office of Communications & Marketing. It promises to be a meaningful tribute to the cultures, voices, and contributions shaping our campus and broader community.