CRANFORD, NJ – UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ will be hosting spring commencement on Wednesday, May 17, with ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. This is an exciting ceremony for the College and it’s graduates as it is the first to be held on the College’s Cranford Campus as UCNJ UCNJ UCNJ of UCNJ County, NJ. UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.
Two ceremonies will be held for the graduating class of 2023. The first ceremony, beginning at 10:00 a.m., will celebrate graduates completing an Associate in Science degree. The 3:00 p.m. ceremony acknowledges students graduating with an Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, Certificates, and Certificates of Achievement.
Two awards will be presented at each ceremony: the Alumni Prize Award and the Post-Day Memorial Award. The Alumni Prize Award is presented to the graduating student with the highest grade-point average. The Post-Day Memorial Award is given to the students that best exemplify the College’s ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service.
Several members of the class of 2023 have reached high levels of achievement during their time at UCNJ. Two graduates, Carine Medellus and Juniad Ilyas, were selected as Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholars, and will receive up to $55,000 for to complete their bachelor’s degree. Medellus was also named to the 2023 All-USA Academic Team and as a 2023 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and will receive a scholarship for both recognitions. Selection was based on the score earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. Medellus received the highest score in New Jersey. Ozichi Chinedu was selected as a 2023 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a scholarship. The Coca-Cola Silver Scholar program had more than 2,400 applications and selection was based on scores earned in the All-USA Academic Team competition. Caroline Vivanco organized UCNJ’s Women’s Empowerment Club, beginning in Fall 2022. Under her leadership, the club became the first student-run organization to create a scholarship for the UCNJ County College Foundation.
“As we prepare for our spring commencement, we reflect on the work our graduates have done during a transformative time at UCNJ. A majority began their college career remotely, others returned to UCNJ after taking a break from their education, and we are equally proud of all our graduates,” stated UCNJ’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin. “Their leadership, achievements, and perseverance will carry them far in life, and we can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next.”
Both ceremonies will be livestreamed at www.ucc.edu for those unable to attend in person.
UCNJ is a public, comprehensive community college that provides quality, affordable, accessible educational programs to the greater UCNJ County region. It is the first of New Jersey’s 18 two-year colleges, serving both career-minded and transfer-oriented students since 1933. The College offers a wide variety of academic and extracurricular activities. UCNJ provides many experiential learning opportunities such as access to a Bloomberg Business Center, Innovation Center, and Student Research hub. Additionally, students at UCNJ attend one of the top 25 community colleges in the country for 2023 as designated by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.