Commencement 2018: Carpe Diem
The University held record-setting Commencement ceremonies this spring for 5,309 graduates earning their degrees this academic year, including 657 graduate students who earned their doctoral and master’s degrees in January.
Graduate students and undergraduate students were conferred degrees in two separate Commencements in May. In addition, six undergraduate Convocations, organized by the respective colleges and schools, were held on campus to celebrate the academic achievements of baccalaureate candidates.
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) President and CEO John Schreiber received honorary degrees at the May ceremonies. Oliver delivered the keynote address and received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree during the University’s Undergraduate Commencement ceremony held on Friday, May 25 at Prudential Center in Newark. Schreiber addressed the graduates and received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree as part of the Graduate School Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 22 at NJPAC in Newark.
In January, New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree and delivered the Commencement address. She advised graduates to take an interest in all things political and be engaged. “Trust yourself, trust your knowledge,” she encouraged, “the world needs you – we need you to take your place and make the world a better place.”
