Campus Ceremonies Honor Student Accomplishments and Signify the Start of the Next Phase of Life
| Caldwell University – Garrett Jones, Mayor of Caldwell | 19-May |
| Centenary University – Rod E. Hairston, CEO of Trusum Visions and best selling author | 4-May |
| Drew University – James Van Der Beek, Actor and former Drew student | 11-May |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University – Stephen Kalso, M.D., M.B.A., transformative leader | 15-May |
| Felician University – Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama | 23-May |
| Georgian Court University – John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, CEO The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) | 9-May |
| Monmouth University – remarks by Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D., President | 9-May |
| Princeton University – Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury, *06, Eastern District of New York | 28-May |
| Rider University – William Rue, Rue Insurance, Emeritus Trustee and Joi Brown, Founder & CEO, The Culture Creators | 11-May |
| Saint Elizabeth University – Margaret Roman, Ph.D., ’72, well-known educator for 50 years | 17-May |
| Saint Peter’s University – Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., Retiring President | 17-May |
| Seton Hall University – Gary Cohen, respected sportscaster and voice of New York Mets | 21-May |
| Stevens Institute of Technology – Marques Brownlee, ’15, MKBHD is an American YouTuber and Michael Kakos MMS, ’71, scientist and founder Resin Express Ltd. | 22-May |
This year’s commencement speakers for New Jersey’s independent colleges and universities represent a variety of of industry, social and academic areas. Their unique experiences will confirm an appreciation for the sacrifices made by students, families and support networks and the persistence demonstrated to earn a degree. The noted contributions to community, country and world by the speakers allow them to provide students with insights into the status of the world they will enter in the next phase of life. Finally, the commencement speakers – while diverse in many ways – share a hope for the future which will be shaped by the knowledge, skills and experience garnered by countless hours of study, exploration, and learning devoted to the college experience. It is with a shared vision of endless possibilities that the commencement speakers will send the graduates into the wider world.
Congratulations to all our independent college graduates!
