Graduate Students Celebrate at Campus Commencement Ceremony on May 18

More than 250 master’s degree candidates celebrated their achievements with family and friends during the graduate commencement ceremony on May 18 in Shea Center

Bernard J. Milano, president and trustee of the KPMG Foundation and Kathleen Waldron, president of William Paterson University

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More than 250 master’s degree candidates celebrated their achievements with family and friends during the graduate commencement ceremony on May 18 in Shea Center on campus. 

Graduates gathered before the ceremony in University Hall and processed to Shea Center down a path featuring festive black and orange balloon arches and displays.  Each student processed individually across the stage to receive their master’s degree hood and diploma. 

Bernard J. Milano, president and trustee of the KPMG Foundation, and president and trustee of the KPMG Disaster Relief Fund, was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree in recognition of “his contributions to diversity and excellence in all fields of endeavor.”  Milano is president and a board member of The PhD Project, a national diversity organization that has quadrupled the number of minority business school faculty, as well as treasurer of the board of directors of Campus Compact, a national organization dedicated to promoting community service in higher education.

President Kathleen Waldron encouraged the graduates to take their place as leaders in their disciplines.  “Only about 8 percent of the United States population holds a master’s degree,” she said. “We expect you to step to the front of the line and assume a place of leadership in our society…We expect you to be life-long learners, to constantly challenge yourself to learn new things, push personal boundaries, and create new knowledge.”

Nicky Lee-Castaneda, who earned a master of arts degree in teaching, spoke on behalf of the graduates. Castaneda, who came to the United States from Guatemala as a young boy, spoke about the power of education.  “My parents always told my brothers and me that education is something no one can take away and with determination and perseverance we will make it in the United States,” he said.  “I never thought in a million years an immigrant from Guatemala would be standing here in front of you receiving my master’s and giving the graduate commencement speech.”