Each year, Columbia commencement provides an opportunity for CUIMC staff to connect with students and their families as volunteers for the graduation ceremonies on campus. When Patty Conde, a senior HR employee, signed up to help with the Mailman graduation ceremony on May 17, she was expecting to serve a small role behind the scenes helping graduates and their families. But the day turned into a special moment for her and a family visiting New York City, who just happened to be walking by the Armory.
The family was exploring campus when they happened upon a line of graduates preparing for commencement.
When the family’s son, who has an intellectual disability, saw the graduates lining up, he began crying and acting out because he loves graduations but has never participated in one.
Conde noticed the young man in distress and offered to help. After learning about the son’s wish to be a graduate, Conde offered to accompany him on a “graduation walk.” The pair began walking together along the sidewalk while Conde hummed a graduation marching song. When they reached the end of their graduation march, Conde gave him her Columbia University lanyard, turning his sadness into excitement.
Following their trip to campus and encounter with Conde, the family sent a letter to the University to recognize and thank Conde for her efforts to make their son feel like a graduate and member of the CUIMC community. The family was especially thankful for Conde’s gentleness and kindness and...
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