After over a year of COVID-19 pushing events and classes to virtual settings, commencement 2021 took place in person. Spread out over a series of eight in-person ceremonies, graduating students were able to walk across the stage at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ.
Three graduate commencement ceremonies took place on May 27 while a hooding ceremony for Ph.D. students was held on May 25.
Four undergraduate ceremonies, distinguished by school, were held on May 26. A ceremony at 10 a.m. celebrated graduates of the School of Business, while a ceremony held at 1 p.m. celebrated graduates of the College of Arts & Letters, the School of Systems and Enterprises, and some majors from the School of Engineering & Science. The third ceremony held at 4 p.m. celebrated graduates of some majors from the School of Engineering & Science. The day concluded with a ceremony at 7 p.m., which celebrated graduates of the remaining majors in the School of Engineering & Science.
Each undergraduate ceremony consisted of the same itinerary. They began with a performance of the national anthem by the President’s Ensemble and a video congratulating all Stevens graduates. Following this, President Nariman Farvardin gave a speech on-stage offering his congratulations to the Class of 2021, commenting “Whatever your future holds, I’m sure of one thing. You will step up to any challenge and create a better future for all of us.” He expressed his hope of seeing graduates on campus again, remarking, “Always remember you are a lifelong member of the Stevens family.”
Provost Christophe Pierre, who will be stepping down in August, also gave a speech on-stage to the graduates, noting his belief in the importance of personal and professional relationships and connections, prompting graduates to “stay connected to your professors and mentors.”
This year’s undergraduate commencement speaker was Giovanni Caforio, Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Caforio spoke of his own experience in his field and then offered personal advice to the graduating class, expressing, “I encourage you to continue to broaden your skills and strengthen your foundation […] Seek out as many experiences as possible that will continue your growth […] In order to be successful in a complex world, you must continue to grow.”
A video was then played featuring highlights from pre-recorded speeches given by the nine students graduating first in the class: Sarah Bertussi, Ivana Bozinovska, Michael Di Pentima, Alexis Fryc, Kevin Gmelin, Ian Kruithof, Ryan Ludemann, Ian Mauser, and Stephen Lysak.
As the academic year comes to an end, graduating student Hailey Tanner has been recognized as the newly elected Young Alumni Board of Trustees Member. Additionally, the President, Vice President, Fund Captain, and Secretary for the Class of 2021 Officers were recognized as Jennifer Searing, Hailey Tanner, Morgan Gruskin, and Sarah Bertussi, respectively.
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