(L-R) Donald Hutton, Elizabeth Wright, Dr. Mary Fox, and Dr. Michael Brogan
Master’s degrees and accounting program certificates were recently awarded to more than 185 graduates in Daemen College’s Brooklyn program, a unique educational opportunity designed specifically for the Orthodox Jewish community.
“We are extremely proud of all our graduates of the Brooklyn program, which has extended the reach of a Daemen education to a learning community well beyond our traditional campus,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of students. “This program is specially tailored to accommodate the religious principles of Brooklyn’s Orthodox community, such as the structure and scheduling of classes, to enable students to complete their degree right where they live.”
Launched in 2003, Daemen’s program offers Orthodox Jewish women and men in Brooklyn the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in education or childhood special education. It is customized to fit the special needs of the community’s religious tenets while ensuring students meet the educational requirements for a graduate degree.
Brogan conferred master’s degrees to the 2016 Brooklyn program graduates on behalf of Daemen President Gary A. Olson. As deemed appropriate for the Orthodox community, men and women graduates attended separate commencement ceremonies. An inspirational speech was given by Daemen Trustee Donald Hutton at the women’s ceremony. Also representing Daemen were Dr. Mary Fox, director of alternative certification programs and associate professor of education, and Elizabeth Wright, dean and associate professor of education.
In addition to the master’s degrees, an accelerated certificate in accounting is available at the college’s Brooklyn campus. Accounting certificates were presented by Dr. Ronald Schenk, dean of the college’s Health and Human Services Division, and Dr. Michele Flint, chairperson of accounting, business administration and paralegal studies and associate professor of accounting.