Hat’s off to the 10,000 scholars who graduated from Newark’s major colleges and universities in the spring of 2024. Here is some wisdom gleaned from the speakers as well as the students:
Rutgers University- Newark
2024 Degrees Awarded: 3,017
Tariq Trotter aka Black Thought, the lead
MC of the Philadelphia-based hip-hop group
The Roots, was the commencement speaker
at Rutgers-Newark. “While this struggle is still
fresh in your mind, you’ll feel like nothing is impossible, and it isn’t, “ he encouraged. He was followed by the elected student speaker, Ghufran Hussain, who is a first-generation Iraqi student who received a bachelor’s degree in biology with aspirations of going to physician assistant school. Her parents fled from Iraq during the Iraq War with her and her four siblings. She gave a touching speech on her experience at Rutgers-Newark and how its diverse community has shaped her. “There was a village around us when we got here (Newark) and I want to make sure that a welcoming village exists for anyone else who chooses to start their new life here,” said Ghufran in a Rutgers publication. She was chosen by a selection committee between students with a 3.0 GPA and above with great devotion to leadership and community service.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
2024 Degrees Awarded: 3,300+
NJIT awarded an honorary PhD to Marjorie Perry, CEO of Newark-based MZM Construction and she also delivered the commencement address. The student speaker was Lauren Azer, an Albert Dorman Honors College Scholar, who wore many hats during her studies in Biomedical Engineering at NJIT. She served as student senate president, while remaining active in a sorority, the Biomedical Engineering Society, and Coptic Society. She stressed the importance of giving into new experiences and pushing boundaries.
Seton Hall University
2024 Degrees Awarded: 1,232
Of the graduating scholars from Seton Hall
University, 700 graduated with honors. On its 168th commencement, Gary Cohen, play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets delivered the commencement speech. Having called Seton Hall basketball games for more than 20 years, Cohen praised students for their contributions in making the world a kinder place, and reminded them of the responsibility in inheriting this planet. Following was Valedictorian Olivia McCue. Majoring in Nursing and minoring in Women and Gender Studies, McCue holds a perfect 4.0 GPA and was chosen from amongst other students with a perfect grade point average. McCue reflected on the adversities the class of 2024 endured, especially through the COVID-19 pandemic, and how that perseverance guides her graduating class to new heights. She will begin her career as a registered nurse in the Cardiovascular Institute at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C.
Essex County College
2024 Degrees Awarded: approx 1,118
Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State delivered the commencement address, in which she reflected on the power of education and community. She highlighted the power of seeing oneself reflected in the spaces around them, and encouraged students to adopt a feeling of belonging. Following her inspirational speech, Valedictorian Sergio Cubas Roman was celebrated for achieving a 3.98 GPA in the highest achievement award provided at the institution. Roman majored in Engineering and participated in extracurricular activities such as the Drama Club, which he helped start, Math Club, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He thanked Essex County for his strong academic foundation and is excited to continue his education at NJIT this fall.
Berkeley College
2024 Degrees Awarded: 1000+
Berkeley College’s 2024 class included 88
military and veteran graduates, and 113 international students from 30 countries. The makeup of the graduating class was more than 80 percent Black or Hispanic. Jazmin Peralta Nunez, the student speaker, is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who moved to the U.S. in 2019. She spoke about achieving the American Dream and how alive the dream remains. Congratulations were bestowed on Berkeley College graduates from notable alumni including Jaime Wynn, president of Jimmy Choo Americas, and New York State Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman. U.S. Senator Cory Booker, and players from the New York City Football Club also submitted
congratulations remarks via video.
Pillar College
With a campus in Newark, NJ as well as several other locations throughout the state, Pillar College held its commencement at Zarephath Christian Church in Somerset County, NJ. The commencement address was delivered by Dr. Dale Caldwell, president of Pillar University since 2007 and former president of Reformed Episcopal Seminary and Nyack College and Alliance Theological Seminary. Michelle Hibbert, a Psychology major, was awarded valedictorian of the institution. The number of graduates from Pillar College wasn’t readily available.
~Mahima Aktar
