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��Ʒ���˸������� University conferred 657 doctoral and master’s degrees in science and mathematics, humanities and the social sciences, business, the arts and education to students who completed their degree requirements between August 2017 and January 2018 at its Graduate School Commencement exercises on Sunday, January 14 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey.

��Ʒ���˸������� University President Susan A. Cole presided over the exercises and New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney offered words of congratulations to the graduates and praise for his Senate colleague and honorary degree recipient, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. She received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree and delivered the Commencement address.

A distinguished member of the Senate since 2005 and of the General Assembly for 14 years prior to that, Weinberg has devoted her career to improving the health and safety of the people of New Jersey. She has sponsored legislation to lower the legal blood-alcohol limit for driving, legislation to require health insurance companies to pay for at least 48 hours of hospital care for new mothers and their babies, the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, gun violence prevention measures, and many other health- and safety-related initiatives.

Thanking the University for “this awesome honor,” Weinberg spoke about her experiences in politics and advised the 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.”

The celebration marked the first of two Commencement ceremonies for students of The Graduate School in 2018; the second, for those who complete their degree requirements in the spring, will be held on May 22 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The 2018 Commencement ceremony for undergraduate students will take place on May 25, at Prudential Center in Newark.

Congratulations Graduates!