May 21, 2025

by Lauren Ferguson

After studying through a global pandemic, all-nighters, and personal struggles, nothing would stop some of Ramapo College of New Jersey’s class of 2025 from participating in the time-honored tradition of Arching – not even a sustained downpour.

On Wednesday, May 14, undergraduate and graduate students donning clear ponchos over their graduation gowns and stoles, excitedly lined up under the overhangs of the Academic Complex as rain fell onto the Grove on Ramapo’s picturesque Mahwah campus.

They were each waiting for their turn to walk under the historic Havemeyer Arch and down Mansion Road – as about 1,400 family and friends wearing raincoats and huddled under umbrellas, lined either side of the pathway, ready to cheer, clap, and rejoice in their loved ones’ accomplishments.

Despite the weather, the Class of 2025 and their supporters showed up in full force. The crowds rivaled those of past Arching ceremonies when the sun shone bright.

Bryant Paredes ‘25 was excited to make memories during Arching Day.

“We are here to make some memories,” said finance major Bryant Paredes ‘25, of Paterson, NJ, who was thinking about how much he would miss Ramapo. “That’s how life is. I am definitely going to come back for the Alumni Association,” he said.

Paredes was lined up with the Anisfield School of Business, alongside fellow transfer student and management major Alexandra Rodriguez ‘25, of Hillsborough, NJ. “I don’t mind the rain, I am just proud,” she said.

At Ramapo, Arching ceremonies mark the beginning and the end of a student’s college experience. When they first become Roadrunners, students walk up the hill of Mansion Road and under the Havemeyer Arch, signifying the beginning of their time at Ramapo College. Then when it’s time to graduate, they walk under the Arch, and down the same rock wall-lined pathway, closing their tenures as Roadrunners.

“It’s pretty symbolic of the last four years and it’s finally coming to a close,” said accounting major Alison Ahern ‘25, of Cherry Hill, NJ. “It means a lot to me. I have had a great four years here. So it’s bittersweet.”

Wednesday’s Arching ceremony was kicked off with Ramapo’s Class of 1975 – celebrating its 50th reunion – walking under the Arch, followed by a group of college faculty and staff. Next came students in maroon gowns earning their masters and doctoral degrees. Then each school of undergraduates, in black gowns with maroon stoles, was called separately. They were all greeted at the Havemeyer Arch with congratulations from Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb, holding a maroon umbrella. Most of the undergraduate Class of 2025 entered Ramapo together with President Jebb in 2021, her first year at the helm of RCNJ.

Graduate students walk through the Arch.

Each school was led by its dean and a member of the Honor Guard, a group of forward-thinking graduating seniors chosen by the deans of their respective schools based on their outstanding contributions to the College. The Honor Guard led their classmates while holding their school gonfalons. Oliver Mejia ‘25, an economics major from Bergenfield, NJ, was chosen by the Student Government Association to carry the College gonfalon. 

Visual communication design major Kayla Brand ‘25, of Wall, NJ, represented the School of Contemporary Arts. Law and Society major Victor Oluwagbemi ‘25, of Browns Mills, NJ,  represented the School of Social Science and Human Services. Bioinformatics major Leah Payne ‘25, of Newfoundland, NJ, represented the School of Theoretical and Applied Science. Marketing major Olivia Romano ‘25, of Franklin Lakes, NJ, represented the Anisfield School of Business. And Stefanie Viera ‘25, of New Milford, NJ, a double major in humanities and global studies and history, represented the School of Humanities and Global Studies.

The excited students filed through the Arch and down Mansion Road to cheers, waves, and supporters calling out their names. Some stopped to hug, kiss, or high-five those lined up along the pathway who helped them through their years at Ramapo. Graduates took selfies, smiled, and walked together in the downpour.

“It is kind of like dancing in the rain,” said visual arts major Paige Dammers ‘25, of Ringwood, NJ. Dammers said she didn’t care about getting wet. “It’s kind of a release, and a relief as well.”

Students were all smiles, despite the heavy rain.

Parents and loved ones also didn’t let the weather damper their excitement and pride.

“I don’t care if it rains, it pours, whatever. We are really proud of her,” Maria Apgar of Mendham, NJ, said of her daughter Isabella Apgar ‘25, a history major.

“Nothing was going to stop us,” said another parent, Frank Armstrong, of Waldwick, NJ, who cheered on his daughter nursing major Raven Armstrong ‘25 with his wife Angela and Raven’s godmother Lisa Haley. “To support our daughter, we will do anything, rain or shine,” he said.

This year’s Arching Day was held the day before the 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, where more than 1,160 students were awarded their undergraduate degrees.

Arching Day also featured a number of other celebrations. The Academic Achievement Ceremony was held to acknowledge the outstanding academic achievements of undergraduate students in each school. At the Nursing Pinning Ceremony, each nursing student was presented with a pin, signifying that they completed their nursing education and are prepared to enter the nursing profession. In addition, the Rites of Passage Pre-Commencement Ceremony provided graduates the opportunity to express their cultural heritage and pride and honor the contributions and sacrifices of their ancestors.

For a gallery of Arching photos, visit the 2025 Arching page.