The academic procession is led by grand marshal Evan Maletsky, the senior ranking member of the faculty. He carries the University mace, an ornamental staff symbolizing the president's authority.

The silver mace, as well as the medallion worn by the University president, were designed by Cartier and crafted in Athens, Greece. The mace is decorated with an 18-carat gold pine design and topped with medallions depicting the seal of the State of New Jersey, the University seal, College Hall and other designs. The medallion depicts the University seal. They were gifts from the Sandoz Foundation, secured through the efforts of former trustee William C. Warren in 1973.

The grand marshal is followed by the gonfalons of each academic college and school borne by one of its senior faculty members. The gonfaloniers for the 2004 commencement were:
Paul Locher, Graduate School
Margaret Mukherjee, College of Education and Human Services
Joseph T. Moore, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Ludwik Kowalski, College of Science and Mathematics
Linda Roberts-Alexanderson, School of the Arts
Ralph DiPietro, School of Business