Bloomfield College Celebrates 149th Commencement
It was a perfect day for Bloomfield College’s 149th commencement ceremony held outside on the College Quadrangle on Friday, May 20, 2022. Nearly 300 students, with family and friends in attendance under a comfortable expansive tent, heard inspiring remarks as they received their college degrees.
The Class of 2022 represented students who originated from or held citizenship in more than 15 countries. And more than half became first-generation college graduates. As the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees were conferred—and tassels were moved from the right to the left—distinguished guests, families, friends and graduates cheered exuberantly in celebration of this milestone event.
The commencement ceremony included remarks from Chair of the Board of Trustees, Vernon M. Endo; College President, Marcheta P. Evans, Ph.D.; Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty, Michael A. Palladino, Ph.D.; Alumni Association President, Maurice A. Lyle ’09; and the Class of 2022 valedictorian, Aditi Lamba ’22 (pictured). The Invocation and Benediction were delivered by the College Chaplain, The Reverend Anita R. Wright, M.Div. Th.M., D.Min.
Honorary degree recipients shared motivational remarks encouraging the students to not accept the word “impossible” and to work hard to continue to make their dreams come true.
The Honorable Jose L. Linares, a retired judge and practicing attorney who broke ground as the first Hispanic to serve as Chief Judge of the United States District Court of New Jersey and as the first Cuban-born District Court Chief in the United States, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D).
Mailissa “Bisa” Yamba-Butler, an award-winning professional artist who has garnered national praise for creating fiber art recognized as historically significant in telling and celebrating the history of African Americans, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.).
College President Marcheta P. Evans, Ph.D., imparted a heartfelt message inviting students to pay it forward, to not forget those who supported them and to do the same for others that follow.
"Think about those people who helped you along the way…see those faces…part of your degree belongs to them,” Evans said. “I want you to thank them…it took a village to get you to this moment…bring life to the support you received…be bold, be extraordinary and continue to write your own story…I know you will be successful.”
Senator Cory Booker sent a video message to the Bloomfield College Class of 2022, asking for the graduates to show up “with eyes of hope and wonder.” He encouraged the graduates to see the positive, stating, “I have learned that what is inside of you is more important than anything you encounter outside of you…do what you can to add to the potential, to add to the promise, of the future…the world needs the best of you.”
The video of the commencement event may be found at this link.
Following the Commencement ceremony, smiling graduates and guests continued the celebration on the campus grounds among decorated caps, maroon diploma covers and colorful flowers.
Photo: Valedictorian Aditi Lamba '22 addresses the graduates of the Bloomfield College Class of 2022 at the College's 149th commencement.