Local 3 Members Complete Studies: Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies 2008 Commencement Ceremonies

Empire State College Interim President Dr. Joyce Elliott addresses the Class of 2008 and confers the appropriate degrees upon the graduates.

On Friday, June 13, 2008, the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies of Empire State College, State University of New York, recognized 122 members of Local 3 who completed their studies and were awarded either Associates or Bachelors degrees. Another 109 members who already possessed college degrees received Certificates of Completion in the 20-credit program, “Labor and the Construction Industry.” The commencement ceremonies were held at Hunter College in Manhattan.
Addressing the graduates and their families were Dr. Gerald Finkel, chairman of the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry, HVA Dean Michael Merrill and Vincent McElroen, financial secretary ­Local 3, IBEW. The commencement speaker was James W. Fraser, professor of history and education at New York University. Dr. Joyce Elliott, interim president of Empire State College conferred the degrees.

Local 3 Financial Secretary Vincent McElroen brings the greetings and congratulations of Local 3 Business Manager Christopher Erikson to the Local 3 members who were graduating as part of the Empire State College Class of 2008.

Dr. Finkel encouraged the graduates to utilize the education they received at the Van Arsdale Center to better their lives and the lives of their fellow union members. He stated that their education was an investment by the electrical industry in their future and the future of Local 3. The leaders of tomorrow are present here in this room today, said Dr. Finkel.
Financial Secretary McElroen, brought greetings from Local 3 Business Manager Christopher Erikson who was unable to attend. He stated that, “This institution, the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies, as well as Empire State College, came into existence because of the commitment of Local 3 and the trade union movement to labor education under the leadership of then NYC Central Labor Council President Harry Van Arsdale Jr.
“Local 3 and its signatory employers have afforded each and everyone of you the opportunity to achieve a college degree. This is no small matter. This education you have gained is, like all things learned, a very precious gift. Any knowledge gained can never be taken away. Local 3 is committed to worker education. This ceremony tonight permits us to ­demonstrate and affirm our commitment to worker education.

Empire State College, Harry Van Arsdale Jr Center for Labor Studies Dean, Michael Merrill, congratulates the Class of 2008.

Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry Chairman and HVA Labor College faculty member Dr. Gerald Finkel, addresses the graduates of the College at their commencement ceremony.

“The motto of the state university is, ‘Let each become all he is capable of being,’  Harry Van Arsdale’s was ‘Knowledge is Power.’ Take the knowledge you have acquired through your studies here at the Labor College and strive to fulfill the University’s motto and become all you are capable of being.”
After an address by commencement speaker James Fraser and remarks by class representatives Stephen Flaherty, A.S. and Adam Quiles, B.S., Empire State College Interim President Elliott conferred the appropriate degrees upon the graduates.
The Van Arsdale Center for Labor ­Studies is a division of Empire State ­College of the State University of New York. It was first conceived in 1968 when a small group of trade unionists were ­attending Cornell University’s certificate program of Industrial and Labor ­Relations. The Cornell program did not award college credits and the students wanted to receive a college degree upon completion of their studies. The result was the establishment of the first publicly funded labor college in the United States! Founded in 1972, the college offers associate, bachelor and masters degrees in science and the arts.

Local 3 Business Representative and 2008 Graduate James Robson (3rd from right) and his wife Nancy, are pictured after the graduation ceremonies with from (l to r): Educational and Cultural Fund Associate Director Michael Yee, HVA Labor College Dean Michael Merrill, ESC Inerim President Dr. Joyce Elliott and Local 3 Financial Secretary Vincent McElroen.

The Class of 2008 filled the auditorium at Hunter College for the commencement exercises of the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Center for Labor Studies, Empire State College, SUNY.