Murphy Is Commencement Speaker At William Paterson Graduation

WAYNE, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy will be the keynote speaker for William Paterson University's 200th graduation ceremonies this May and receive an honorary doctorate, the university said.

Murphy will address undergraduates at their commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark on Wednesday, May 31, which begins at 9 a.m. The governor will also receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.

University President Richard J. Helldobler said William Paterson is "thrilled" to welcome the governor, and credited Murphy for increasing access to higher education in the state through programs such as the Garden State Guarantee and support for tuition aid grants.

"The Governor is a true champion of public higher education and the role it must play in building a stronger New Jersey, and we cannot wait to hear at our Commencement his words of encouragement for the next generation of graduates, who will deliver on that promise," said Helldobler.

Other special guests for the 2023 commencement include alumni from the Class of 1973 and members of the Pioneer Society, alumni who graduated at least 50 years ago.

Ceremonies for master's and doctoral degree candidates are Thursday, May 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Sports and Recreation Center on William Paterson’s Wayne campus.

“William Paterson is one of New Jersey’s great public universities, and our students are changing the social fabric of our State and our nation thanks, in many ways, to the leadership of Governor Murphy," Helldobler said.