On Monday, June 13 the Westchester County Center was alive with the sights and sounds of achievement and success that are integral in the festive Monroe College commencement ceremonies. This year there were more New Rochelle graduates than at any other year in Monroe history (at the Bronx graduation, too!).

As Executive Vice President Marc Jerome read a long list of countries represented by the Class of 2005, there were rousing cheers and applause which really added an international flavor to the event.

Commencement speaker Marlene Melton, the founder and president of African Ventures, a travel marketing consulting company based in New York, gave the graduates her “Ten Prescriptions for Success”:

1. Follow your dreams
2. Manage your own career
3. Never stop growing and learning
4. Be prepared for change
5. Dare to be different
6. Never settle for mediocrity
7. Respect yourself and others
8. Be confident
9. Stay focused
10. Give back.