Ramapo College Arching Ceremony Takes On New Look

MAHWAH, NJ — Joseph Connell welcomed the first of three groups of new Ramapo College students at 10 a.m. during a weekend new student assembly.

Connell, the Vice President of Student Success at the Mahwah college, guided the new students through their first day of what will be a unique semester, and possibly year, of their college careers.

The Saturday events included the arching ceremony, the college's traditional kick-off for new students.

Arching is both the start and the end of a college career at Ramapo, as students walk through the campus arches on their first day, and exit through those same arches upon graduation.

So it's not unusual for students to sport unique garb while walking through those arches, but it's usually reserved for cap and gown.

This year, however, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, students and university officials added a new element of dress to the ceremony: foam fingers

Traditionally, students would shake hands with Ramapo College President Peter Mercer as they make their way through the arches, but, with protocols in place to limit the spread of germs, students and staff tapped foam fingers as a new way of saying welcome.

Call it a modified dap, if you will.

See for yourself on the Ramapo College website by clicking here.