Speaker

Queens College announces 2017 commencement speaker

Dan Rose
Meng_DNC
Congresswoman Grace Meng.

Queens Congresswoman Grace Meng will be the main speaker at Queens College’s 93rd commencement ceremony, the school announced earlier today.

The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 26 at a.m. on the college’s quad. During the ceremony, Queens College President Felix Matos Rodríguez will award Meng, the Queens College President’s Medal in recognition of her service to the borough.

“It is my great pleasure to announce Grace Meng as this year’s commencement speaker. She is a Queens native who embodies so many of the aspirational qualities that Queens College hopes to inspire in our students,” said Matos Rodríguez. “We first came to know Congresswoman Meng when she represented the 22nd Assembly District—which encompasses Queens College—for two terms in the New York State Assembly. She was a consistent and powerful advocate for the college.”

 

Vallone throws fundraising birthday bash

Dan Rose
Photos Courtesy/Office of Councilman Paul Vallone
Photos Courtesy/Office of Councilman Paul Vallone

Turning 49 never looked so fun.

Councilman Paul Vallone celebrated his 49th birthday last week with a combo birthday party and fundraiser. Many of the big names of the Queens Democratic Party, including his father, former Council Speaker Peter Vallone, attended the shindig.

The birthday bash, hosted at Bourbon Street in Bayside, raised more than $20,000 for Vallone’s re-election. Hundreds of people, from family and friends to neighbors, contributed to the funds.

“I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who attended my birthday celebration,” Vallone said after the party. “Every single one of you has stood with me time and time again and I am humbled by your support.”

“I have fought to reconnect a district that was too long disconnected from the rest of our city,” he added, “and will continue to ensure Northeast Queens gets their fair share.”

See more photos of the birthday party below.

Left to right: Former Council Speaker Peter Vallone, Councilman Paul Vallone, Congressman Joseph Crowley
Left to right: Former Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, Councilman Paul Vallone, Congressman Joseph Crowley
(L-R) Perry Vallone, Tena Vallone, Council Member Paul Vallone, Charlie Vallone, Peter F. Vallone, Vladamir Sardarian
(L-R) Perry Vallone, Tena Vallone, CouncilmanPaul Vallone, Charlie Vallone, Speaker Peter F. Vallone, Vladamir Sardarian
Mary Vaccaro (UFT District 26 Representative), Joe Kessler (UFT District 25 Representative), Council Member Paul Vallone
Mary Vaccaro (UFT District 26 Representative), Joe Kessler (UFT District 25 Representative), Councilman Paul Vallone
Lea Vallone, Charlie Vallone, Catena Vallone, Anna-Marie Vallone, Council Member Paul Vallone.
Lea Vallone, Charlie Vallone, Catena Vallone, Anna-Marie Vallone, CouncilmanPaul Vallone.