NJCU Celebrates Class of 2026 at Historic Final Commencement

NJCU’s Milestone Commencement: A New Chapter Begins

The Prudential Center in Newark set the stage for New Jersey City University’s latest commencement. NJCU celebrated its graduating class just before the university’s upcoming merger with Kean University.

This moment felt bittersweet, closing the chapter on NJCU as a standalone institution. Soon, it’ll take on a new identity as “Kean Jersey City.”

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The class of 2026 included 1,551 graduates from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. They walked across the stage with a mix of pride, nostalgia, and hope for what’s next.

A Sea of Achievements: The Class of 2026

The buzz inside the Prudential Center was impossible to miss. President Andrés Acebo, Kean Provost David S. Birdsell, and NJCU’s interim deans led the proceedings.

Together, they awarded 1,191 undergraduate, 340 graduate, and 20 doctoral degrees. Out of the undergraduates, 339 earned honors—107 of them *summa cum laude*—which is honestly pretty impressive.

Inspiring Voices and Community Pillars

Jorge A. Plasencia, co-founder and CEO of Republica Havas, gave the commencement address. He urged graduates to remember the mentors who shaped them and to give back, no matter where they land.

Suraj Kaufman, founder and CEO of Sneaker Room, received NJCU’s Presidential Medallion. His community work and philanthropy stood out as a highlight of the day.

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Gabriella Martinez, a Mathematics Education major from Jersey City, spoke as the student representative. She promised to return to local classrooms, sharing how NJCU’s Teacher Apprentice Program changed her path.

Academic Prowess Across Disciplines

This year’s degrees reflected NJCU’s wide academic reach. The William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences led with 625 degrees, especially in Psychology, Computer Science, and Biology.

Those majors keep drawing ambitious students, showing NJCU’s ongoing strength in these areas. The School of Business saw 368 graduates, with Management, Finance, and Accounting topping the list.

Graduates from the College of Professional Studies focused on Criminal Justice, National Security Studies, and Nursing. These fields are essential to public service and community health.

The College of Education conferred 190 degrees. That’s a real testament to NJCU’s impact on future teachers.

The ceremony also included graduates from January and August 2026. Alumni from the classes of 1976 and 2001—the Golden Gothics—joined in, connecting past and present.

A Bridge to the Future

In his closing remarks, President Acebo called the Class of 2026 more than just graduates. He described them as a living bridge, tying NJCU’s past to its future.

He encouraged them to live out the university’s mission of service and to stay active within the community. As they set out on new paths, he asked them to carry NJCU’s legacy forward.

This commencement feels like a milestone, marking the strong foundation NJCU has built over its first hundred years. There’s a sense of anticipation about what comes next as part of Kean Jersey City.

If you’re curious about the changing academic scene in Jersey City, the merger is opening up fresh opportunities. Kean Jersey City is set to become a bigger player in the different city districts, and that’s something to watch.

Thinking about where to stay in Jersey City? There’s a growing list of Jersey City hotels to choose from, which is pretty handy for students and visitors alike.

Transit keeps getting easier, so getting to Jersey City isn’t much of a hassle these days. That really helps make the city more inviting.

As Jersey City changes, its schools are changing too. The combined strength of NJCU and Kean University should create even more educational options and help shape the local community.

There’s a lot to explore here, from waterfront views to new cultural spots. With so many things to do in Jersey City, the city feels like it’s growing right alongside its academic scene.

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Here is the source article for this story: New Jersey City University Honors Class of 2026 in Historic Final Commencement