VIEWFINDER: Stockton College Holds Three Graduation Sessions for the First Time

For the first time in its history, the held a separate Doctoral and Master’s Degree Conferral ceremony Friday afternoon, May 4. New Jersey Secretart of Higher Education Rochelle Hendricks delivered the keynote speech during Friday’s ceremonies. She received an honorary doctorate from Stockton Board of Trustees Chair Stanley Ellis.

Two more ceremonies will be held on Sunday, May 6, and Stockton College President Herman J. Saatkamp was scheduled to preside over all three, presenting degrees to 1,134 graduates, according to the school.

The first ceremony scheduled for Sunday at 10 a.m. is for degree candidates in the Schools of Arts and Humanities, Education, Business and General Studies. Revel Entertainment Group Chief Operating Officer Kevin DeSanctis will deliver the keynote speech in the morning, and Valedictorian Joseph Everett will speak, according to the school. Tania Pomales is the salutatorian.

At 2 p.m., degrees will be conferred on candidates in the Schools of Health Sciences, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Former New Jersey State Senator William Gormley will deliver the keynote speech in the afternoon, and Valedictorian Sandy Zaher will speak. Christopher Layton is the salutatorian.

The three ceremonies combined include 120 advanced degrees, according to the school, including: Doctor of Physical Therapy, 26; Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, 6; Master of Arts in Education, 29; Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, 4; Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, 2; Master of Arts in Instructional Technology, 7; Master of Business Administration, 4; Master of Science in Nursing, 11; Master of Social Work, 28; Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Science, 3.

According to the registrar’s office, 1,194 undergraduates qualified for baccalaureate degrees from the academic schools.

Check out Galloway Patch’s photo gallery from Friday’s event.