Caldwell College Commencement Set for May 22

Caldwell College’s 2011 commencement ceremonies will take place on Sunday, May 22, at 12:30 p.m., in the George R. Newman center on campus. About 419 students are expected to participate, receiving their undergraduate and graduate degrees from the co-ed Catholic college.

The college will bestow honorary degrees on leading professionals in autism and art education.

Dr. Tyrone Bentley, medical director of the Autism Center at the New Jersey Medical School at UMDNJ, will receive an honorary degree. Bentley serves those with autism spectrum disorders and their families in the greater Newark region and the surrounding communities.

He developed an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Parent Training Program at the Autism Center to provide assistance for the entire family. This program is an affiliate site for Caldwell College’s graduate programs in ABA.

Sister Gerardine Mueller, O.P., professional artist, teacher, mentor, author, professor emerita at Caldwell College and a Sister of St. Dominic of Caldwell, will also receive an honorary degree. Sr. Geraldine founded the Caldwell College Art Department in 1963 and later, under her continued leadership, Caldwell College became the first in New Jersey to offer the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Her works of stained glass, sculpture, woodcarving, printmaking, calligraphy and illumination can be seen been seen in churches, colleges, universities, museums, and private homes around the world. Her teaching career spans more than 50 years.

The commencement address will be given by Caldwell College graduating Senior Vanessa Treus of North Bergen. Treus, a psychology major with an English minor, is the first person in her family to receive a college degree. She is also the recipient of the 2011 Caldwell College Trustee Recognition Award.  

President Nancy H. Blattner will present undergraduates with their Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees and the graduate students with their Master of Arts or Master of Business Administration degrees.

Prior to the commencement ceremonies, there will be a graduation Mass celebrated by Caldwell College Chaplain Father Al Berner at 10 a.m. in the George R. Newman Center.