Six hundred degrees were awarded to approximately 450 graduates at the University’s Winter Commencement Ceremony, held in the Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC) on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at 1 pm.
“The Multipurpose Activity Center is a really special part of our campus; it is just intimate enough for me to make personal contact with many of the members of the audience, while still grand enough to accommodate the many friends and family members who want to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduates,” said University President Paul R. Brown.
Mary Anne Nagy, Vice President for Student Life and Leadership Engagement Chair, is in charge of the Commencement Planning Committee.
During the commencement ceremony, former NFL player and Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle spoke as the keynote speaker.
Rolle used to play as a safety for the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers but left the NFL to pursue his medical career.
“His decision stuck out to me by far. I can’t imagine having a choice between Oxford and the NFL,” said psychology graduate Kristina Murdock.
After Rolle had finished his speech, the graduates, staff members, and guests stood up to applaud him.
“I personally really enjoyed Myron Rolles’ commencement speech. It’s not every day a former NFL player who aspires to become a neurosurgeon gets the opportunity to speak to us,” said psychology graduate Matthew Fernandez.
“As a speaker, his address stands on its own merits, and I encourage all students to watch the recording of his keynote speech,” said Brown.
Myron Rolle’s words of wisdom continued to get positive feedback from graduates through his twitter account.
@JohnMurachanian tweeted, “Your speech today was amazing! Thank you Dr. Rolle for inspiring me and many others today to be better, and strive for more!”
@GerardLongo tweeted, “Heard an amazing speech from the audience at @monmouthu’s graduation today by @MyronRolle. Thank you for leading our generation, Dr. Rolle!”
As the graduates continue their journey after college, Brown wants the graduates and current students to keep in mind three important requests: “First, I want our graduates to remember their professors, especially the ones who sparked new interests or areas of research,” he said.
“There is really no substitute for learning alongside a scholar who shares their own interests and intellectual passions,” the President continued.
Brown encourages graduates and current students to remember their professors who have aided them into achieving where they are now.
Brown then stated, “I sincerely hope that all of our graduates leave Monmouth with more than a degree; I hope that they will have formed a lasting support network that will enrich the many milestones that come later in life.”
Brown includes relationships born at Monmouth University as an important request of remembrance because these relationships can help graduates and students down the road.
The third request from Brown is: “I ask each of our graduates to be very conscious of being competitive. I want all of our graduates to make a deliberate effort to do their best because our students and graduates are our most important ambassadors in the professional and academic world.”
Brown encourages graduates and current students to continue to push themselves in order to benefit us all.
Joseph A. DeLuca, a graduate who obtained his Bachelors of Science Degree from the Leon Hess School of Business during the Winter Commencement Ceremony, has truly benefited from the University, and took President Brown’s and Myron Rolle’s words of advice. Right after graduation he moved to Delaware for a job offer. “The University means so much to me,” he said.
“I know that all of us at Monmouth University have done our job in preparing graduates who are excited about their education and prepared to move on to their next adventure,” said Brown.
PHOTOS COURTESY of Monmouth University
