by Lauren Ferguson

More than 1,160 newly-minted Ramapo College of New Jersey graduates accepted their undergraduate degrees Thursday, May 15, during a vibrant commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ – where speakers stressed the value of being bold, being kind, and being good teammates.

“Being bold means stepping forward even when you’re not one hundred percent sure of the outcome. Being kind means using your voice to lift others up, not shut them down. And being a good teammate? That’s where the real magic happens—because nobody changes the world alone. We need one another,” Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb told the packed arena of more than 8,000 graduates, alumni, family members, trustees, professors, and other stakeholders and supporters.

“What a moment this is. Let’s just take a second to breathe it in,” Jebb instructed the crowd after the excited graduates filed onto the arena floor to cheers, waves, applause and flashing cameras.

The electronic banners around the perimeter of the arena lit up with the names of each school, as groups of graduates were led into the arena by their respective deans and members of the Honor Guard, graduates selected by their deans for their scholarship and contributions to the college.

For Accounting major Keith Hurst ‘25 of Camden, NJ, the entire day felt “fantastic.”

“I finally did something that I was super excited to do since childhood,” Hurst said while standing with fellow graduates of Ramapo’s Anisfield School of Business. Hurst said “my entire family” of about ten people made the trip to Newark to witness him walk across the stage and be handed his diploma.

Some proud parents arrived at the arena early to guarantee the best views of their children and the milestone celebration.

“This feels great. There is nothing like it,” said Rene Raymond, of Riverdale, NJ, whose daughter Olivia Raymond ‘25 was awarded her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. “She is our first daughter graduating college, and we were here when the doors opened.”

Christopher Moss of Hawthorne, NJ, wore a camera around his neck to capture shots of his daughter, Marketing major Megan Moss ‘25 on her big day. “I am really proud of her, and I’m just looking forward to seeing what will happen next,” he said.

The undergraduate commencement ceremony officially began when Grand Marshal Stephen Rice, professor of American Studies, held up the College Mace. The handcrafted mace, featuring Ramapo’s seal on a silver medallion, is carried by a faculty member who leads the processional for Ramapo’s annual major academic ceremonies, Opening Convocation, Undergraduate Commencement and Graduate Programs Commencement.

Members of the dais party on stage during commencement also included keynote speaker Honorable Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, D-19, the longest serving speaker in New Jersey history, Assemblyman John Azzariti, D-39, Harlem Globetrotters CEO and Chair of the Ramapo Board of Governors Keith Dawkins ‘94, Board of Trustees Chair Susan Vallario, Provost Dr. Michael Middleton and members of the Board of Trustees.

After missing major high school milestones like prom and graduation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the class of 2025 entered Ramapo together with President Jebb in 2021, her first year at the helm of RCNJ. They all embarked on their Ramapo journeys at the same time, but with their own paths ahead.

“You began your journey under the shadow of a pandemic, navigating uncertainty and a world in flux,” Jebb reminded graduates from the stage. “You witnessed powerful movements for justice, global conflicts that redefined diplomacy and civility, and technological revolutions that will shape every field from science to social work. Through it all, though, Roadrunners, you didn’t just make it through—you grew!”

On stage, Jebb was robed in academic regalia, including RCNJ’s Chain of Office which represents the history of presidential leadership at the College. The chain bears the College seal and includes the names of Ramapo’s four past presidents.

“You learned how to adapt and how to advocate; how to listen and how to lead,” Jebb told graduates. “And that matters, because the world you’re entering as alumni doesn’t need more noise. It needs clarity and civility. It doesn’t need more division. It needs courage and empathy. And let me say this: the world desperately needs you—in boardrooms, classrooms, clinics, labs, media, the arts– it needs people who can disagree without being disagreeable, people who can collaborate to solve problems, and people who can build and lead diverse teams.”

The ceremony featured stirring renditions of the Star Spangled Banner, sung by graduates Ayden Romano ‘25 and Christopher Scanlon ‘25, and the Ramapo College Alma Mater performed by Lindsey Ruggiero ‘25.

Christopher Scanlon ‘25 and Ayden Romano ‘25 performed the Star Spangled Banner.

For the graduates and their families, the spirited, emotional ceremony marked the culmination of years of hard work and hands-on learning alongside Ramapo’s mentoring, experienced faculty.

“Our time at Ramapo has taught us that college was never only about getting the right answers on an exam; it was about the relationships that shaped us, the experiences that challenged us, and the differences we made in the lives of others,” student speaker Nikita Hanover ‘25, told the crowd. Hanover is a first-generation student from Guyana who earned her degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology.

Hanover shared how she struggled when she first arrived on campus. But when she began to get involved with clubs and organizations, her college experience improved, she embraced her own identity and became more of her authentic self. And through her service on campus, “I was able to make a difference, empower other students, and in turn, I became happier and more fulfilled.”

“I hope we can all realize that the challenges, pressures, doubts, and fears over the last four years have helped shape us into the people we are today,” Hanover said.

Nikita Hanover ‘25 was was the student speaker.

The graduating class was also addressed by keynote speaker Assembly Speaker Coughlin, who told them to “be proud of what you’ve done. Be thankful to the people who helped you get here. And now, go be a great success.”

Coughlin shared how despite repeated challenges, his career has gone well, and he gets to do work that matters to people.

“Truly great success—the kind that matters most—is about making a difference. And there is no limit on the way you can achieve great success,” Coughlin said. “It can be by curing cancer or writing a book that changes lives. But it can also be raising a great family. Helping your neighbor. Standing up for someone who can’t stand up for themselves. And know that you can change someone’s day—maybe even their life—with a kind word, a helping hand, a smile.”

New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin delivered the keynote address during RCNJ’s 2025 Undergraduate Commencement.

He told the graduates to root for other people’s success and “be the kindest person you know in every room you walk into. In every job. With every person. Kindness builds. It heals. It lifts people up.”

As each school was called up to the stage, the proud graduates lined up to receive their diplomas. Their names were called, one by one. Some danced off stage, smiled, hugged and took selfies with each other.

Students, prepared to enter graduate school, law school, and careers in diverse fields, accepted degrees from the Anisfield School of Business, School of Contemporary Arts, School of Humanities and Global Studies, School of Social Science and Human Services, and School of Theoretical and Applied Science.

In a moving moment, the graduates – robed in black gowns and mortarboards – were then led by Mathematics Professor Amanda Beecher, American Studies Professor John Gronbeck-Tedesco – who were recently promoted to full-time professors – and Provost Michael Middleton to turn their tassels to the left symbolizing that they earned their degrees.

“We are so proud of all you have accomplished over the years,” Chair of the Ramapo Board of Governors, Keith Dawkins ‘94, told the graduates before officially welcoming them as members of the Ramapo College Alumni Association.

“With no further ado, Ramapo College class of 2025, toss your caps,” Dawkins instructed.

Graduates tossed their caps in celebration as maroon and white confetti rained down.

“I toss my cap for my mom. I toss my cap for my best friends and I toss my cap for women in law who have come before and after me and have paved the way for me to be able to live my dream,” said Law and Society major Giovanna LaMonica ‘25, of Wharton, NJ.

“I toss my cap for number one, God, number two, my family, my mom and my sister, they’re here. And then number three, everybody here who’s supported me along the way,” said Law and Society major Victor Oluwagbemi ‘25, who served as president of the Student Government Association and a member of the Honor Guard.

For a gallery of commencement photos, visit Ramapo’s Class of 2025 Undergraduate Commencement page.

-Liz Mendicino ’26 contributed to this story