The following is from Seton Hall University.
Provost and Executive Vice President Larry A. Robinson addresses the graduates
“The world is fragile. Let’s make it better; let’s make it ours,” said valedictorian Isabella Duarte, a Cancun, Mexico native who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in physics and a minor in applied scientific mathematics from the College of Arts and Sciences. She addressed approximately 1,150 undergraduates, now alumni of one of the nation’s leading Catholic universities, at Seton Hall University’s 158th Baccalaureate Commencement Ceremony held Mon., May 18, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Valedictorian Isabella Duarte
“Seton Hall has implanted the seeds of compassion and duty in our hearts; it is up to us to make them grow,” she said. “I encourage you to dream, to imagine an extraordinary world full of hope and solidarity, a world of peace. Be the politicians that are concerned for their country and not themselves, the scientists that find the cures to diseases and the citizens that make a difference in their community.”
The Martin Luther King Scholars (L-R): Sierra Van Ryck De Groot, Francesca LaRacca, Ariel Snell, Rev. Dr. Forrest Pritchett, Monica Arismendez, Ashley Jefferson and Amanda Saunders
Also addressing the student body was Matthew Ullrich from Toms River, N.J, who graduated summa cum laude with a dual degree in marketing and management from the Stillman School of Business.
“I urge you my fellow graduates not to settle for any life that is anything short of your dreams,” said Ullrich. “When that time comes and you find your dream, don’t be afraid to give up everything to go after it. Take advantage of every opportunity and make the most of it. Let these past four years represent some of the greatest years of your life, but also represent the greatness that is still left to come.”
“I challenge you to not fear the world but rather transform it with love, not to condemn the world but embrace it with compassion. Learn to value the people around you more than the things that surround you. Stay close to Seton Hall always and those who will follow you. I ask that you give up yourselves to this community that has nurtured and educated you. I ask that you make commitments as servant leaders to go forth and live your lives in the service of others. May the Lord continue to bless and guide you on your next journey,” said Esteban.
Featured vocalist Christine Byrne sings the national anthem.
Aleatha, Sergio and Brandon Joseph
Singing three songs – the national anthem, “Astonishing” from the musical “Little Women” and the Seton Hall “Alma Mater,” was Christine Byrne of New York, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and theater performance from the College of Arts and Sciences. Her rousing performance was inspirational, made more so by the circumstances that led up to it. At 3 a.m., hours before the commencement ceremony, Byrne had an emergency appendectomy. Her doctor released her to attend her graduation ceremony, with strict orders to not sing too deeply. If she sang with less power, it was undetectable to the audience, who applauded generously.
Seton Hall University President A. Gabriel Esteban congratulates 2015 graduates: featured vocalist Christine Byrne, Matthew Ullrich and Valedictorian Isabella Duarte at the 158th Baccalaureate Commencement Ceremony held May 18 at the Prudential Center in Newark.
The Class of 2015 also included students with inspiring stories:
- Tyrone Wheeler, 41, of East Orange, N.J., graduated with a degree in Business Management from the Stillman School of Business with a near-perfect 3.9 GPA after spending much of his life in prison on drug and other charges. He made the decision to turn his life around and received support and encouragement from Seton Hall mentors and has a job awaiting him on graduation. His 21-year-old daughter was there to celebrate his achievement.
- Aleatha Joseph and her twin 23-year-old sons Brandon and Sergio of Union, N.J., shared an experience of a lifetime as together they received bachelor degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences. Aleatha received a degree in Psychology and Brandon and Sergio both received degrees in Advertising Arts.
- Kathryn Eileen Schneider of Holmdel, N.J., became the fourth Seton Hall College of Nursing graduate in her family. She received a Bachelor of Science in nursing two days after her mother, Maureen, was awarded her Ph.D. in Nursing. Her brothers Brian and Steven are both Seton Hall nursing alumni, with Brian now pursuing his Ph.D. and Steven enrolled in a master’s program at the University.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Class of 2015 is entirely women. Rev. Dr. Forrest Pritchett says the MLK Scholarship program didn’t set out to enroll a class of only women four years ago, but that’s how it turned out. He calls the group, “The Six Roses,” because like a rosebud growing into a beautiful flower, the young women – Ashley Jefferson, Lafayette, N.J.; Ariel Snell, Harrisburg, Pa.; Francesca LaRacca, Livingston, N.J., Monica Arismendez, White Plains, N.Y.; Sierra Van Ryck De Groot, Red Bank, N.J.; and Amanda Saunders, Coram, N.Y. – grew through their four-year scholarship and their experiences at Seton Hall, and they embody the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Other graduating seniors featured during the commencement season included: Janielle Viuya, originally from the Philippines, who was the recipient of the Ann Murphy Award for Academic Excellence in the College of Nursing as the top graduate in the College and delivered a salutatory address at the Academic Awards Ceremony held Sunday. Alma Banyai of Passaic, N.J., graduated summa cum laude, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Art, Design and Interactive Media from the College of Arts and Sciences and was selected as the alternate speaker.
Stillman graduate Tyrone Wheeler celebrates his achievement.
Seton Hall University graduated approximately 2,261 undergraduate and graduate students this commencement season, with 125 academic medals and awards granted. Separate ceremonies were held for Seton Hall University’s estimated 1,111 graduate students, who became 2015 graduates.
To view the list of commencement speeches, photos and stories, visit: commencement.shu.edu.
