Caldwell College Graduation Ceremony [Pictures]

Denise Kerth and Eric Rozenblat made history at Caldwell College's 71st commencement on Saturday when they were awarded the first Ph.D.s in the college's history.

President Nancy H. Blattner presented Kerth, of Collingswood, and Rozenblat, of Oakland, with doctoral degrees in applied behavior analysis. Caldwell, a leader in autism education, developed the first master's and first Ph.D. programs in applied behavior analysis in New Jersey.

More than 450 other graduates received degrees on Saturday. Blattner presented undergraduates with their Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees, and graduate students with their Master of Arts or Master of Business Administration degrees.

Gulay Maffia, of Vernon, who received her master's degree in special education learning disabilities teacher consultant, was one of two students to give commencement speeches. She shared her story of surviving the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks while working in New York City and how that horror caused her to rethink her life's direction.  

"I felt that I had to do something better with my life for me, but also for those who perished," she said.

Her parents were teachers and she knew "how they brought about change and made many people's lives better as a result of their dedication." Maffia decided to pursue teaching, and today she teaches children with special needs.

"Teaching is my way of fighting terrorism," Maffia said.

Chelsea Loscalzo, of Bayside, N.Y., delivered the undergraduate commencement remarks. She received a bachelor's degree in marketing.  

Loscalzo reminded her classmates that professors at Caldwell were a big part of their success and added that students could be assured "what we've learned here has given us the right tools to move on to this next step of the journey."

Blattner told members of the class of 2013 that she had a special affinity for them since she joined the Caldwell community the same year they did.

"Together we walked around campus, becoming familiar with the community that would soon become our second family," she said. "... Together we have grown as individuals, developed new skills and expertise and served this place we have grown to love so much.

"You, the class of 2013, are the class of my heart."