175th Commencement a Time for Celebration

The University at Albany will celebrate its 175th commencement ceremonies by welcoming Kathryn V. Marinello ’78, president and CEO of Hertz Global Holdings, to deliver the undergraduate commencement address on May 19 at 10 a.m. on the University’s Entry Plaza.

The University’s commencement festivities begin with the doctoral hooding ceremony on Wednesday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in SEFCU Arena. At this ceremony, SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall will be honored as the recipient of the Medallion of the University and provide remarks.

Events continue with the master’s and graduate certificate ceremony on Thursday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m. at SEFCU Arena, followed by several undergraduate recognition ceremonies for the University’s nine schools and colleges, and culminating with the undergraduate ceremony on Sunday, May 19.

Since the New Year, the University has been celebrating its 175th anniversary as the first institution of public higher education in New York. In honor of this milestone, several high-profile events and speakers have been featured.

“On the occasion of the University’s 175th commencement, it is fitting that we will have such extraordinary leaders as our guests and honorees for our ceremonies,” said UAlbany president Havidán Rodríguez. “I know that Kathryn Marinello will bring an inspiring and meaningful message to our graduates, and it will be my honor to present the Medallion of the University to H. Carl McCall — a stalwart friend to UAlbany who has had a transformative impact on SUNY and on the state.”

Kathryn V. Marinello ’78, president and CEO of Hertz Global Holdings.

Marinello, who will speak at the undergraduate ceremony, was named one of Fortune magazine’s top 20 female CEOs leading a Fortune 500 company in 2017. One of the largest worldwide car rental companies and one of the most recognized brands in the world, Hertz operates 10,200 locations in 150 countries worldwide supported by 37,000 employees.

Medallion of the University recipient McCall, who recently announced his retirement as chairman of the board of trustees for the State University of New York, was chosen for his longstanding support of the SUNY System and of UAlbany, as well as his commitment to the Capital Region and State of New York.

The award is UAlbany’s highest honor for distinguished service. It expresses admiration and appreciation for extraordinary public service and leadership. Medallion recipients exhibit a profound commitment to excellence in high reduction, along with a steadfast dedication to economic vitality and cultural richness.

Kathryn V. Marinello ’78

Marinello is chief executive officer of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. and a member of the company’s board of directors. She joined Hertz in January 2017, bringing more than 35 years of automotive, consumer marketing, business services, technology and executive management experience to the company.

Prior to joining Hertz, Marinello served as a senior advisor of Ares Management LLC since 2014. Previously she was chairman, president and chief executive officer of Stream Global Services, Inc. from 2010 to 2014. Her background includes experience in banking, business service and technology, serving as the chief executive officer and president of Ceridian Corporation from 2006 to 2010.

Marinello held a wide variety of senior roles in 10 years at General Electric (GE), leading global, multi-billion dollar financial and services businesses. At GE, she served as the chief executive officer and president of GE Fleet Services at GE Commercial Finance from 2002 to 2006 and GE Insurance Solutions from 1999 to 2002. Marinello served as president and chief executive officer of GE Financial Assurance Partnership Marketing Group, a diverse organization that includes GE's affinity marketing business, auto & home insurance business, and Auto Warranty Service business from 2000 to 2002. Prior to this role, Marinello served as president of GE Capital Consumer Financial Services and as an executive vice president of GE Card Services, where she began her GE career in 1997.

Marinello earned a bachelor’s in psychology at UAlbany and an MBA in marketing from Hofstra University.

Honorable H. Carl McCall

McCall was appointed Chairman of the State University of New York Board of Trustees Oct. 17, 2011. He first joined the Board as a member on Oct. 22, 2007.

He served as Comptroller of the State of New York from May 1993 to December 2002. As chief fiscal officer of the state, he was responsible for governmental and financial oversight and pension fund management.
McCall has had a distinguished career as a public servant. He served three terms as a New York State senator representing the upper Manhattan district of New York City; as an ambassador to the United Nations; as a commissioner of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and as the commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights.

A passionate advocate for public education, McCall served as president of the New York City Board of Education from 1991 – 1993, where he set policy for the largest school system in the nation and as the chairman of the Public Higher Education Conference Board, a coalition of 14 member organization which supports a strong and vibrant public higher education system in New York state.

He also has been active in the private sector; he served as a vice president of Citibank and as corporate director of the New York Stock Exchange, Tyco International, New Plan Realty Corporation, Ariel Investment and currently Athene Holding.

McCall was educated at Dartmouth College, Andover Newton Theological Seminary and the University of Edinburgh. He is the recipient of 10 honorary degrees.