Retiring OCC president presides over her last graduation ceremony

Casey Crabill

Graduating students hoist "big heads" of retiring Onondaga Community College President Dr. Casey Crabill during Saturday's graduation ceremony May 21, 2022. Provided by Onondaga Community College

Syracuse, N.Y. -- 2022 Graduates of Onondaga Community College honored their retiring president by hoisting large cardboard cutouts of her face during her last graduation ceremony Saturday.

Retiring Onondaga Community College President Dr. Casey Crabill presided over her final graduation ceremony at the SRC Arena and Events Center. Over 900 students were eligible to participate in the ceremony, according to a news release from Onondaga Community College.

The ceremony kicked off at 10 a.m. and featured many notable graduates. The OCC School of Health graduated 99 students in in-demand programs including nursing, health information technology and surgical technology, OCC officials said.

One of those graduates, Joe Doyle, was inspired to study health sciences by the health care professionals who treated his mother while she battled lung cancer. He earned a 4.0 GPA and will transfer into SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Radiation Therapy program, OCC officials said.

Another Graduate, Damon Gilstrap, earned two excellency awards. He overcame three brain tumors and a stroke. Until 2015, when he decided to return to school, he only had a fifth-grade education. Today, he graduates with top honors.

Kayla McKeon, the first U.S. lobbyist with Downs Syndrome, will finally earn her OCC degree after taking classes in her spare time for 12 years.

Crabill was honored alongside the hundreds of distinguished graduates. Students presented her with a bouquet of roses as she walked off the stage at her 9th and final graduation ceremony.

Crabill has led OCC since 2013 and is officially retiring on June 30. On July 1, Dr. Warren M. Hilton, a first-generation college graduate, will become the school’s 9th president.

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.

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