Convocation and Investiture Fill York with Joy as 8th President is Installed

August was a momentous month at York College as the campus prepared to welcome students for the fall semester and concluded with a historic celebration: the joint Convocation and Investiture of Dr. Claudia V. Schrader as the 8th president of the 59-year-old CUNY institution.

The August 28 festivities began with a breakfast honoring the founding of York College’s Radio Station. Founding alumni Ray Warren -- now a member of the York College Foundation Board -- and three of his fellow co-founders, Bob Reich (who ignited the spark that launched WYCR), Jeff Conecoff, and Jim Meaney, were in attendance. Warren, a veteran media executive and member of the Class of 1976, delivered the keynote address at the Convocation.

Reflecting on his York experience as a communications major, Warren credited the College with shaping both his professional career and lifelong friendships. He recalled the days when York did not yet have its own campus and classes were held in various locations. “Back then, York was relatively new, a small school scattered around,” Warren said. “Our nickname was the Nomads. Now, on a 50-acre campus, we are the Cardinals. Even then, with limited resources, we had determination. We had grit. We were the little college that could. We had the energy of just getting started -- just like many of you today.”

Amongst other alumni in attendance, were Honorable Wayne Hall, a former mayor of Hempstead, Long Island, and his wife, Derrah Hall. Both are proud members of the Class of 1978 and frequent attendees at York events.

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez formally installed Dr. Schrader as York’s permanent president following her service as interim president and subsequent appointment after a national search. With humor and warmth, he placed the ceremonial medallion around her neck, calling it her “bling.”

“She has been a champion for York,” the Chancellor said. “Claudia has a way of nudging with a smile to get things done. She brought the ‘Welcome Wagon’ tradition from Kingsborough to York, and it’s a beautiful way to reassure and inspire our students.”

He also highlighted visible improvements to the campus under Dr. Schrader’s leadership, including the fully renovated Cardinals’ Kitchen, now equipped with modern appliances and serving meals after five years without a working cafeteria.

In her remarks, President Schrader expressed gratitude to the Chancellor for his leadership and reflected on the parallel paths their careers have taken.

“We are both from Caribbean islands—he from Puerto Rico, me from St. Croix,” she said. “We each led community colleges before becoming presidents of senior colleges. But I must tell you, Chancellor, the buck stops here for me. I am home.”

She continued, “What a blessing it is to love what you do, and do what you love, in a place that you love. The combination of my investiture, a time-honored tradition marking the installation of a college president, and Convocation, the official welcome to a new academic year -- could not be more perfect.”

President Schrader expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported her journey, including her family, colleagues, and her favorite professor, James Allen of Rutgers University, who also once taught at York too. She recalled how he inspired her as an undergraduate and noted her delight that he was present for her special day.

Addressing the students in the audience, she encouraged them to take full advantage of the many opportunities available at York, especially their “access to your world-class professors.” She also praised the College’s rich diversity, affirming that “our diversity is our superpower.”

The day concluded with a benefit event organized to raise funds for the One York Emergency Relief Fund.