259th Anniversary Commencement Day

Congratulations to the
Class of 2025!

Order of Exercises

ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Rutgers Wind Ensemble from the Mason Gross School of the Arts
Dr. Kraig A. Williams, Conductor

BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ WELCOME
Mr. William E. Best
Chair of the Board of Governors

NATIONAL ANTHEM
Members of the Rutgers University Choirs from the Mason Gross School of the Arts
Dr. Brandon Williams, Conductor

PRESIDENT’S GREETING
Dr. Jonathan Holloway
President, Rutgers University

CONFERRING OF HONORARY DEGREES
Dr. Jonathan Holloway
President, Rutgers University

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS
Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III
Scientist, Educator, and President Emeritus, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

“THE BELLS MUST RING”
by Richard Hadden
Rutgers University Glee Club
Dr. Brandon Williams, Conductor

CLASS OF 2024 ADDRESS
Remarks
Mr. Jack Ramirez, Rutgers Class of 2025
President, Rutgers University Student Assembly (2023–2024)

Address
Ms. Aarushi Fernandez, Rutgers Class of 2024
Bachelor of Science
Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering
Vice President, Rutgers University Student Assembly (2023–2024)

ALUMNI WELCOME
Ms. Gloria K. Vanderham
Chair, Rutgers University Alumni Association Board of Directors
Video Presentation: We Are You

ALMA MATER
Members of the Rutgers University Choirs from the Mason Gross School of the Arts
Dr. Brandon Williams, Conductor

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES AND CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Dr. Jonathan Holloway
President, Rutgers University

Dr. Francine Conway
Chancellor-Provost, Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Dr. Brian L. Strom
Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs

RECESSIONAL
Rutgers Wind Ensemble from the Mason Gross School of the Arts
Dr. Kraig A. Williams, Conductor

Commencement Music

Rutgers Wind Ensemble from the Mason Gross School of the Arts
Kraig A. Williams, Conductor
Dana Mandell, Assistant Conductor

Pre-Ceremony
The Fairest of the Fair | John Philip Sousa
First Suite in E-Flat for Military Band | Gustav Holst
I. Chaconne
II. Intermezzo
III. March
Salute to the Big 10 | Thomas Bourgault
The Liberty Bell | John Philip Sousa
Florentiner March | Julius Fucik
Young Person’s Guide to John Williams | John Williams

Commencement Fanfare
Joseph Marta, Bachelor of Music ‘24

Recessional
Themes from Superman | John Williams
Americans We | Henry Fillmore

Rutgers University Officials

Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients

These individuals have distinguished themselves by making major contributions to their professions and communities.

Commencement Speaker and Honorary Doctor of Letters

Freeman A. Hrabowski III

Freeman A. Hrabowski III, an American educator and mathematician, served as the President of UMBC and holds a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Hampton Institute, and earned his Master's and Ph.D. in higher education administration/statistics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; he's a fervent advocate for STEM education and minority participation in STEM fields, notably founding the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at UMBC, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to education and civil rights advocacy.

Honorary Doctor of Laws

William Best

William E. Best, senior vice president at PNC Bank, spearheads efforts to drive growth and prosperity for low to moderate income segments across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Boston. During his tenure as chair of Rutgers University's Board of Trustees, Mr. Best led a Task Force on Student Aid, resulting in the creation of the Scarlet Promise Endowment, a lasting resource dedicated to providing need-based student aid.

Student Speaker

Aarushi Fernandez

Aarushi Fernandez is the 2023-2024 vice president of the Rutgers University Student Assembly and will be graduating with a major in biomedical engineering from the School of Engineering.

Honorary Doctor of Science

Admiral Rachel Levine

Admiral Rachel Levine, an esteemed public health official and physician, is renowned for her pioneering contributions to transgender health and addiction medicine. Her exceptional leadership shines through in her endeavors to address the opioid crisis and champion inclusive healthcare rights, drawing upon her expertise as both a physician and a dedicated advocate for public health.

Honorary Doctor of Letters

Jelani Cobb

Dr. Jelani Cobb, an distinguished scholar with a Ph.D. in American History from Rutgers University, currently serves as the Ira A. Lipman Professor of Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, while also contributing to The New Yorker, authoring notable books such as "The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress," and being recognized for his expertise in race, politics, and culture in America.

At SHI Stadium

Emergency Notifications

During Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Health Commencement, guests may quickly and anonymously report medical emergencies, inappropriate behavior, suspicious activity, or other important matters to the police department via cell phone.

Phone
Dial 911 to be connected with the police department.

Text Message
Send a text message to 69050.

In your message, type the following:
RUGUEST [your location] and [the details of the problem]

Example: RUGUEST Section 121, Row 10, Seat 12, medical emergency

We encourage guests to use this system whenever they see an incident or problem in the stadium that should be reported to Rutgers Police so emergency personnel can respond to the scene as quickly as possible.

Rutgers University Alumni Association

Congratulations! You are now one of more than 570,000+ alumni worldwide-a global community that is Scarlet Forever. Membership in the Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA) is free, automatic upon graduation, and lifelong.

Check out our video!

Stay Scarlet Forever

Class of 2024 - Stay Connected

Let Us Know What You Think

Did you enjoy Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Health Commencement? Do you think that there is anything we could do to improve the experience in the coming years? Take our survey and let us know.

258th Anniversary Commencement Survey

Rutgers University Career Exploration and Success Post-Graduation Survey

Before you embark on your new adventures, tell Rutgers University Career Exploration and Success your future plans by completing the Official Post-Graduation Survey. You will be entered into a raffle to win your choice of Apple Air Pods or a $100 Amazon gift card!

Career Exploration and Success Post-Graduation Survey

259th Anniversary Commencement Day

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Welcome to the 259th Anniversary Commencement