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May 14, 2017
GRADUATION SCHEDULE 2017 School of Communication and Information Thursday, May 11, 3 p.m. Location: Louis Brown Athletic Center, 83 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus, Piscataway Speaker: Jonathan Potter, dean of the School of Communication and Information Graduate School New Brunswick Friday, May 12, 10 a.m. Location: Louis Brown Athletic Center, 83 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus, Piscataway Rutgers Business School Newark and New Brunswick Friday, May 12, 2:30 p.m. Location: Louis Brown Athletic Center, 83 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus, Piscataway Speaker: Beverly W. Aisenbrey, former managing director, Frederic W. Cook & Company Inc. Douglass Residential College Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. Location: Antilles Field, Douglass Campus, New Brunswick Speaker: Christiana Foglio (Douglass College ’84), CEO of Community Investment Strategies School of Management and Labor Relations Saturday, May 13, 1 p.m. Location: Louis Brown Athletic Center, 83 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus, Piscataway Speaker: Aaron Fichtner, acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Saturday, May 13, 4 p.m. Location: College Avenue Gymnasium, 130 College Ave., New Brunswick
Rutgers University New Brunswick Commencement Sunday, May 14, 10 a.m. Location: High Point Solutions Stadium, Busch Campus, Piscataway Speakers: Steven Van Zandt (honorary Doctor of Fine Arts recipient); Justin Schulberg, former Rutgers University Student Assembly president.
School of Arts and Sciences Sunday, May 14, 12:30 p.m. Location: High Point Solutions Stadium, Busch Campus, Piscataway Speaker: Peter March, executive dean
School of Engineering Sunday, May 14, 1 p.m. Location: Louis Brown Athletic Center, 83 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus, Piscataway
School of Environmental and Bioleogical Sciences Monday, May 15, 10 a.m. Location: Lawn near College Pond (“Passion Puddle”), George H. Cook Campus, New Brunswick Rain: Louis Brown Athletics Center, 83 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus, Piscataway
New Jersey Medical School Monday, May 15, 10 a.m. Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark Speaker: Darrell Kirch, president and chief executive officer of the Association of American Medical Colleges
School of Social Work Monday, May 15, 3 p.m. Location: Louis Brown Athletic Center, 83 Rockafeller Road, Livingston Campus, Piscataway Speakers: Cathryn Potter, dean, and Richard Edwards, former dean and current chancellor, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Rutgers school of Dental Medicine Monday, May 15, 4 p.m. Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark 127 Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees
Graduate School of Education Monday, May 15, 4:30 p.m. Location: College Avenue Gymnasium, 130 College Ave. New Brunswick Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Monday, May 15, 7 p.m. Location: State Theatre, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick Speaker: Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and chief executive officer, RWJBarnabas Health
Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy Tuesday, May 16, 10 a.m. Location: College Avenue Gymnasium, 130 College Ave., New Brunswick Speaker: Ernest Mario, Class of 1961. In 2002, the college was renamed the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, in recognition of Mario’s visionary leadership in the pharmaceutical industry and extraordinary support for the school. ROTC Commissioning Ceremony Army Tuesday, May 16, 10 a.m. Location: College Avenue Student Center, Multipurpose Room, 126 College Ave., New Brunswick Speaker: Brig. Gen. Steven Ferrari, U.S. Army; commander, 42nd Infantry Division, Troy, N.Y. Newark Graduate SChool Hooding Tuesday, May 16, 3 p.m. Location: Paul Robeson Campus Center, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark Rutgers University-Newark Commencement Wednesday, May 17, 9 a.m. Location: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark Participants:Newark College of Arts and Sciences, University College-Newark Graduate School, Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration, School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick. Speaker: Eboo Patel, chief executive officer of the global, nonprofit organization Interfaith Youth Core. Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters recipient. School of Health Professions Wednesday, May 17, 10 a.m. Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark ROTC Commissioning Ceremony Air Force Wednesday, May 17, 11:30 a.m. Location: Cook Student Center multipurpose room, 59 Biel Road, New Brunswick Speaker: Col. Mark C. Anarumo, U.S. Air Force ROTC Commissioning Ceremony Navy Wednesday, May 17, 11:30 a.m. Location: College Avenue Student Center multipurpose room, 126 College Ave., New Brunswick Speaker: Retired Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, U.S. Navy; former chief of naval operations 2011–2015. U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1975
Graduate School - Camden Wednesday, May 17, 2 p.m. Location: BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden Speaker: Sherman Leis, D.O., CCAS ’63, professor and chair of plastic and reconstructive surgery, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Camden College of Arts and Sciences Wednesday, May 17, 6 p.m. Location: BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden Participants: Camden College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate School, University College-Camden Speaker: Carla D. Hayden, Ph.D., Librarian of Congress
School of Business - Camden Thursday, May 18, 9:30 a.m. Location: BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden Speaker: Steven G. Selfridge SBC’79, president of government services, Day & Zimmermann Company
School of Nursing Thursday, May 18, 10 a.m. Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark Speaker: Rita Smith, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, Jersey City Medical Center-RWJBarnabas Health, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, Class of 2008
Rutgers Law School at Camden Thursday, May 18, 2 p.m. Location: BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden Speaker: James J. Sandman, Esq., president, Legal Services Corporation
School of Nursing - Camden Thursday, May 18, 5:30 p.m. Location: BB&T Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden Speaker: Marcel Pop, director of international relations, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungar y
Rutgers Law School in Newark Friday, May 26, 10 a.m. Location: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark Speaker: The Hon. Patty Shwartz, judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
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May 14, 2017
47-year-old Rutgers student earns degree Chloe Dopico associate news editor
The traditional college student enters college in their late teens or early 20s and finishes by their mid-20s. They usually follow the formula of pursuing a job or continuing their education. But, for Sten Knutsen, the path less traveled was the one for him. The School of Arts and Sciences senior, who is 47, said the motivation to attend college later in life came about 10 years ago when he became interested in cognitive science and started researching the field on his own. Eventually, he said his interest grew to the point where he knew a college education would be necessary. Knutsen said he chose Rutgers because it was a world-class university. Going to Rutgers also allowed him to go to class in the evenings while maintaining his full-time job at Verizon when he started school. “As far as balancing school/real life: One time that was particularly challenging for me was in the fall of 2012 when Hurricane Sandy hit. Being a Verizon fiber splicing technician, we were required to work all day, seven days a week. Fortunately, my supervisor let me leave early on evenings when I had class, and I was able to not only complete the two courses I
was taking, but I got As in both,” Knutsen said. In fall 2013, with encouragement from his professor, Jane Grimshaw, Knutsen took what he calls “a leap of faith” and became a full-time student at Rutgers, leaving his job at Verizon to focus on his education. Knutsen pursued three degrees while at Rutgers and is enrolled in the cognitive psychology Ph.D. program. “I started out as a linguistics major and one thing led to another. One of the linguistics classes I took — linguistics and cognitive science — tied together linguistics with computer science and was really interesting,” he said. “So I decided to pursue the computer science route as well. By the end of my junior year, I had already completed a lot of the classes that could be applied towards the cognitive science degree, so I figured why not?” Knutsen said that some of the skills he learned in the real world, such as budgeting and time management, were useful when at Rutgers. “I really love the fact that Rutgers has such a diverse student body, and so I felt right at home here. I often felt like I had a little bit of an advantage over younger students in that I had already learned life skills (e.g. how to budget time, manage money) and these skills really helped me to perform well as a student,” he said.
At 47 years old, Sten Knutsen will be graduating from the School of Arts and Sciences with plans to enroll in a cognitive psychology Ph.D. program at Rutgers. Knutsen pursued three degrees over the last few years as a full-time student. RUTGERS.EDU
After graduating in 3 years, Glenn secures research job in Belgium
Shannon Glenn, a double major in sociology and communications, managed to graduate in three years. Over the summer she will be working as a research assistant at Rutgers before moving to Belgium to conduct research on democratic societies. COURTSEY OF SHANNON GLENN
Chloe Dopico associate news editor
At most public universities, only 19 percent of full-time students earn a bachelor’s degree in four years, according to the New York Times. Despite this statistic, a School of Arts and Sciences senior
managed to finish all of her courses in only three years. Shannon Glenn said she had to take more than five classes every semester, as well as summer and winter classes, in order to graduate a year early. “Even with taking classes yearround, I had to be extremely
organized in making a schedule so that I would properly fulfill my (School of Arts and Sciences) core, communication major requirements and sociology major requirements,” she said. “To help in doing this, I made myself a spreadsheet with all my credits, what I needed to fill and set
After graduation, Glenn said a goal of what semester I would take each of these classes. Tr y- she is very excited to see where ing to balance school work and her research takes her. Whether a social life was challenging all she decides to go back to school for her Ph.D. or return from Belthe time.” Glenn said her sorority, Phi gium to find a job in New York Mu, helped her to succeed in City, she said she is excited to see balancing everything by offering where life’s journeys will take her. Overall, Glenn said she is going her an outlet to study with girls in to miss everything about Rutgers, the sorority. Glenn said her decision to try to including the best pizza on Earth, graduate early came after she suf- which Glenn said is from R.U. fered an ankle injury that resulted Grill, getting annoyed that she got in six reconstruction surgeries. yet another parking ticket or just After realizing she could no lon- walking down the street to see her ger play basketball in college, she best friends. “I will never said she felt in my life exlost and need“I will never in my perience someed a new goal, thing as great thus deciding life experience as the memoto graduate a something as great ries Rutgers year early. She has given me. said retrospecas the memories I think Rutgers tively, that she Rutgers has has prepared could not be for my life afhappier with given me.” ter graduation her decision. by giving me After gradSHANNON GLENN certain skills uation, Glenn School of Arts and Sciences Senior I wouldn’t said she is have found at going to be working as a research assistant another college. Time manageat Rutgers for the summer. The ment skills like figuring out how research project is funded by the to get to class on time when the National Institute on Drug Abuse first three EE busses were full, is (NIDA). She will be creating a something that I am now grateful program for high school students for. The fast-paced environment at a busy school like Rutgers is in 4-H and D.A.R.E. After the summer, Glenn is a struggle sometimes, but I am moving to Leuven, Belgium, now starting to see how it has prewhere she will be doing inde- pared me for the real world outpendent research on democratic side of New Brunswick,” she said. societies under the EuroScholar “I can confidently say that the enprogram. She will have the op- vironment of this school and the portunity to attend conferences amazing professors that I’ve had around Europe, and try out living have shaped me into the person I am today.” life in a new country.
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May 14, 2017
RUSA Chair earns full-time job at Johnson & Johnson Kira Herzog news editor
During her four years at the University, Rutgers Business School senior Michelle Boyland ser ved as the chair of the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) Allocations Board while also working on the Student Volunteer Council and interning with Johnson & Johnson. Now, looking back, she said it was through her involvement in these organizations that she learned to speak out confidently and stand by what she believes in. One week after graduation, Boyland will be starting her fulltime job at Johnson & Johnson, the company that she spent two summers interning with. “I am mostly excited because I know exactly what I am getting into, and the culture at the company is incredible. The program I am in is called FLDP (Finance Leadership Development Program), which is a 2-year rotation. Once graduated, these leaders become a senior analyst. I will take the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) exam within my first two years there, become part of the Rutgers recruiting team, and get involved with the community ser vice event called ‘The Backpack Drive.’” She said her plan to remain integrated with the Rutgers
community goes back to all of the positive experiences that she had at the school. “RUSA has prepared me immensely for my life after graduation,” Boyland said. “I interviewed for RUSA Allocations during the end of my freshman year and was surprised that I was selected. First and foremost, this opportunity has given me confidence, from being selected with little experience, to becoming the chair of the board. The role that the board plays is ver y daunting since you work with other 400 student organizations leaders who rely on our timely and thorough responses, our ethical decisions and our patience.” The RUSA Allocations Board is the governing body that is responsible for distributing requested funds to the hundreds of on-campus organizations at Rutgers. The board oversees finances for groups ranging from Habitat for Humanity to the Verbal Mayhem Poetry Collective. While she was a part of RUSA, the assembly significantly reduced the amount of styrofoam usage on campus, made reusable water bottles accessible by introducing “Cupanions” and encouraged safer drinking habits through the “Midnight Snacks” initiative. She also was part of the board that created charging stations at the student centers for students who commute to campus.
“To summarize what the (former) RUSA President Justin Schulberg stated, it did not take one person to make the incredible changes that RUSA has, but it was the collective effort of passionate leaders. It is important to take the time to recognize your own personal achievements and also the successes of your peers,” she said. Boyland said many of her
peers within the assembly have plans to work in the city after graduation in the financial sector. Others are filling out their applications to law schools and medical schools. When asked for the advice she would give to current and forthcoming Rutgers students, she said it is important to become involved, but that it is equally important to find a balance and to
find ways to fully invest yourself in your passions. “To current students, I would tell them that we can only do our best. It took me a while to learn that maybe a C is my best, and even though it looks unappealing on a transcript, we are not perfect — we are human,” she said. “Take a step back and reflect on your achievements – your attitude will change immensely.”
Michelle Boyland, a graduating senior in the Rutgers Business School, will be using the experience she collected as a member of the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) to join the Finance Leadership Development Program at Johnson & Johnson. FACEBOOK
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May 14, 2017
Senior reflects on journey from county college to U. Christian Zapata
groups of students with similar interests that might never have met was it not for these events, Graduating from county college Brown said. “As a future teacher, programtasks many sophomores with a second wave of applications and, ming events are something that for a while, finishing his remain- will definitely shape how I engage ing two years at Rutgers seemed with my future students. It is imunrealistic for School of Arts and portant in RUPA to know that Rutgers is a diverse place with so Sciences senior Sean Brown. Now, as Brown approaches many different interests,” he said. Looking graduation, he ahead, Brown is the director of Transitions “It is important in RUPA looks to continhis educaand Commuto know that Rutgers is ue tion at Rutgers nity for the as a student of Rutgers Unia diverse place with so the Graduate versity Planmany different interests.” School of Eduning Associacation (GSE), tion (RUPA) specializing in and a heavSEAN BROWN ily involved Graduating Senior and Director of Transitions special educaand Community for RUPA tion, he said. member of Incoming the Rutgers first-years community. He said a desire to improve on who are unsure of their place his subpar high school experience in a school this large should left him hungry to prove himself consider making a large school feel small, Brown said. Through throughout his college career. Within the first year his aca- involvement, a school of 40,000 demic grades improved signifi- students can quickly become a cantly, Brown said. Looking to second family. “I also advise students take continue the momentum into his first year at Rutgers, he sought the bus, don’t be lazy and drive. out extra-curricular activities Parking is no joke here and tickand became an avid member of ets are no joke. Plus buses are great places to make new friends, the community. Attending, programming and strike up a conversation with organizing a number of RUPA anyone. Worst case scenario you events allowed him to better en- probably won’t see them again,” gage his peers and culminate he said. correspondant
Sean Brown transferred to Rutgers from a county college and quickly became involved in campus culture through his involvement in the Rutgers University Programming Assocation (RUPA). After graduating, he plans to join the Graduate School of Education (GSE). FACEBOOK
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May 14, 2017
Labor Relations senior at Rutgers pursues her passion for theater, art Stephen Weiss ASSOCIATE news editor
The opportunity that a Rutgers education presents its students makes it easy for them to thrive, even in fields seemingly entirely separate from their major. This is something that Lauren Burcheri, a graduating School of Management and Labor Relations senior, said she wants to prove. Though Burcheri’s major does not pertain to her passion for the non-profit performing arts industry, that has not stopped her from following her love of theater and music. First learning to play music on the piano in the third grade, Burcheri said that she has always had an interest in the arts but that she knew it was not necessarily the most practical career path to take. She first got involved on campus by joining Rutgers’ Cabaret Theatre as a general member, and she remained a member all four years at the University. Last fall, Burcheri coordinated an entire theater showcase for the club, and this past spring she music directed the final mainstage production of the season. She said that during her junior year she did not get accepted to any student theaters on campus, so she applied to theaters outside of Rutgers, which ended up being a blessing in disguise. “It was a very discouraging experience just because I didn’t foresee that happening, so that’s when I applied to get real life experience at the (State Theatre New Jersey),” she said.
Had she not been rejected, she would have never discovered the niche she feels she belongs in, Burcheri said. “Even though failure burns a lot, it’s helpful for your character. I think that everyone will encounter failure if they haven’t already. It was very helpful for me … it sort of helped pave my future,” she said. Burcheri began her internship as a marketing and public relations intern for the State Theatre New Jersey in the spring of 2016. The following summer she took a position as a human resources intern for the Philadelphia Orchestra. She said she is confident that Rutgers played an integral part in her finding her way. “Rutgers is different than any other school across the globe. It’s ver y unique, and the
way it’s structured is such that it trains students to, I think, strengthen and improve their time management skills, and also their leadership skills,” she said. “Just spending a week or month here, you learn so much about yourself.” Post-graduation, Burcheri will be interning at Carnegie Hall in their special events department. She said that her experience in event management will help her succeed at this new position. In the fall, she will be working with human resources out of Broadway Theatre Company. Both positions, she said, are perfect for her because they are within the industry that she loves. “(Rutgers) trained me to never give up, and to constantly try new things and to explore and ultimately find your way,” she said.
School of Arts and Sciences seniors Jamie Zajac, Ariel Abasamis and Erica Mahnkopf will be travelling to England, Greece, Croatia, and more after they graduate. Courtsey of Jamie Zajac
In the fall, School of Management and Labor Relations senior Lauren Burcheri plans to work with the Broadway Theatre Company while also interning at Carnegie Hall. LINKEDIN
3 graduating seniors plan to travel Europe CHLOE DOPICO ASSOCIATE news editor
After the stress of four years of endless finals, studying and late night coffee, some college students feel the need to escape before entering the real world, such as School of Arts and Sciences seniors Jamie Zajac, Ariel Abesamis and Erica Mahnkopf, who plan to travel to Europe before starting work in September. Zajac said she will be traveling to England, Scotland, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, and wants to travel because she figures she will never have so many weeks off of work again. Mahnkopf and Abesamis will be touring Athens, the Greek Islands, Rome, Florence, Venice, Innsbruck and the Tyrol Region, Munich, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, Bruges, Paris, Montpelier and Barcelona, Mahnkopf said. She feels it is important to travel and expose herself to the different cultures of the world. It is easy to get trapped in one corner of the world, Mahnkopf said, but there is so much across the globe to experience. “What motivated me to travel was knowing that I would not have another 35 days off of work to travel the world until I retire. I have traveled to Europe and Central America with friends before but never for longer than a week,” she said. Zajac said she always loved traveling but has never traveled in this
capacity. When she went to Thailand, she met a lot of people her age from the United Kingdom and Australia who had been traveling for a year by themselves, so this inspired her to take a solo adventure. “Rutgers is a massive school and I’ve managed to navigate the school to figure out my favorite places, almost like the effect of exploring a new city. Also, Rutgers is extremely diverse and I am lucky to have been introduced to new cultures and backgrounds that I never saw in my hometown,” she said. Zajac said it is important to travel because its the perfect way to step out of one’s comfort zone, much like the one she found at Rutgers, which includes her favorite restaurants, friends and expected everyday life. Mahnkopf said this is the time in individual’s lives where they have relatively little responsibilities before they start careers and families. It is important to be exposed to the rest of the world and understand other cultures. “I view it as a right of passage for young adults into adulthood. When else are you going to have this much time off to see the world, or travel according to your own devices?” she said. “In five to 10 years, life may have started full throttle and there’s no possibility of taking a month break to travel. Also, when I start working I’ll have some exciting stories to share with my new team about my summer.”
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May 14, 2017
Letter: Peter March
“I get to do what I love and there is no reward greater than that. I wish that for all of the students at Rutgers.” Gloria steinem Journalist, Activist and leader of the Feminist Movement
“Understand, for some students, Rutgers is their safety school of a compromise between parents or money or a waystation before reaching a better place. Some students come from cities that make New Brunswick seem woefully provincial. But I came from a poor isolated Central New Jersey community and growing up I was starved for art, scholarship, film, bookstores, politics or activism. At Rutgers, I found all of that and more.” Junot Diaz Pulitzer Prize Winning Author of “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao”
Peter March is the executive dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Courtesey of Kara Donaldson Congratulations School of Arts and Sciences Class of 2017! It is a privilege for me to welcome you and your families to the School of Arts and Sciences Convocation. The year 2017 is rather special. This is the year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the School of Arts and Sciences. It was 2007 when the School began educating its first cohort of students. This was one of the most significant and exciting transformations in this university’s history. Arts and Sciences became the liberal arts school of Rutgers, a globally-engaged teaching and research institution and the center of the undergraduate experience. Of course, we didn’t just come into existence overnight. We like to think of ourselves as both the oldest and the newest school at Rutgers. For all our cutting-edge scholarship, knowledge, and state-of-the-art facilities, it’s important to remember that our School has deep roots and enduring values that go back to pre-Revolutionary War-era America. The liberal arts tradition at Rutgers began 251 years ago with the founding of Queen’s College. Those first students studied Latin and Greek, arithmetic and geometry, as well as a bit of physics and astronomy. That 18th-century curriculum reflected an early but essential vision for a classical liberal arts education. And we in the School of Arts and Sciences claim it for our own. The School gives full expression to that vision, providing a diverse and comprehensive education that spans from English to economics, from genetics to geography, and from physics to philosophy. So, graduates, you should feel proud today, proud of your achievements, but also proud of being part of a venerable institution that is rich in tradition while remaining squarely on the cusp of innovation and discovery. This reverence for our past and excitement for our future defines who we are at Arts and Sciences. It’s a spirit that informs our recent strategic plan in which we commit ourselves to making the School a place of excellence, opportunity, and leadership. What does that all mean? Simply put, it means: — Achieving excellence in the School’s departments, programs, and core curriculum.
— Creating the opportunity for all students to learn and grow in a welcoming and inclusive environment. — Providing the intellectual and moral leadership at Rutgers, in New Jersey, and across the nation and global community. Graduates: This culture of excellence, opportunity and leadership has prepared you well for the world you are about to enter as adults. For it’s our excellence that has endowed you with the essential knowledge in your chosen field, and with the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills needed for successful and satisfying lives. And it’s the opportunity here that provided you with the experience of living intimately with diversity—an experience so critical in our world, especially in our current moment. You have gained the essential skills to be role models and forces for the greater good. As you make your way in the world, take that experience of engaging in dialogue with all the different people you have met here. Keep that openness! It’s a part of your Rutgers heritage. I can’t help but be reminded of what President Obama said last year on this very stage: “America converges here. In so many ways, the history of Rutgers mirrors the evolution of America—the course by which we became bigger, stronger, and richer and more dynamic, and a more inclusive nation.” And lastly, as soon-to-be alumni of the School of Arts and Sciences, you join a long and proud tradition of graduates providing transformational leadership in their workplaces, communities, and around the world. You are entering a world challenged by issues of health, the environment, and human rights; issues that require innovation, vision, and courage to confront. Graduates: You have what it takes to not only build successful lives, but to also be a positive force in your communities and to make a difference in the world. For all of you in the Class of 2017, it’s truly an honor for me to celebrate with you today, to welcome you as Rutgers Alumni, and to usher you into the next phase of your lives as graduates, citizens, and leaders. Congratulations Class of 2017! Peter March Peter March is the executive dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.
“New York City was very instrumental in me really finding myself as a writer, but I think that journey in many ways began at Rutgers.” Imbolo mbue PEN/Faulkner Award Recipient and Author of “Behold the Dreamers”
“Whatever you’re going through, somebody else has already gone through it, somebody else has survived it and somebody else has transcended it.” Jose Antonio vargas Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist
“Explore all corners of the campus and the community that’s here at Rutgers. You never know, your next collaborator or thought partner could be somewhere on this campus and you might not even know it. Keep an open mind and build with people.” JAMILA WOODS Singer, Songwriter and Poet
May 14, 2017
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Letter: Robert M. Goodman Dear Class of 2017,
Dean goodman
Robert. M. Goodman is the executive dean of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the executive director of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. COURTESY OF JOHN O’BOYLE
At last, your graduation day has arrived. I am guessing that each one of you is astonished by how quickly the time has passed since you first arrived at Rutgers. This day you are no longer students. You are alumni. Congratulations! When I talk with alumni – particularly recent graduates – I am gratified to hear about the value that they place on their time at Rutgers. They cite the support they received from their professors, departments, and fellow students; Rutgers’ encouragement, indeed insistence, on experiential learning; the opportunities provided by involvement in student organizations; the vast worldwide Rutgers network of classmates and alumni; and the reputation that Rutgers enjoys here and around the globe. These are the values and advantages that you are taking with you wherever you may be going after today. I am confident that your Rutgers education, which rests on a foundation of intellectual curiosity, outreach beyond the campus, diversity, and giving back, has prepared you for a role in civil society. You will succeed now and you will continue to grow – as you have since you came to the university just a few short years ago.
To be sure, there will be challenges. It appears that we have entered a period of hostility toward science and science-based prediction, denial of truth, selective choice of facts to believe or to reject. With your grounding in reality and your knowledge, combined with your youthful energy, you will be able to overcome these influences, and with sense, sensibility, and civility advance the quality of life to which we all aspire. I know that you also are confident in your abilities. I look forward to witnessing your successes. And I encourage you to stay engaged with this center of learning that has taken such great care of you and has prepared you so well for the future. In other words, stay connected and stay involved with Rutgers and with your school. Congratulations on your achievements. I look forward to seeing you and hearing from you as you accomplish even more in the future. Sincerely, Robert M. Goodman Robert M. Goodman is the executive dean of the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the executive director of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.
barone
Joseph A. Barone is the dean and a professor in the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy. LINKEDIN
Letter: Joseph A. Barone To the Class of 2017 Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates Dear Graduates, It is my pleasure, and gives me great joy to congratulate each and every one of you on your impressive achievements as you graduate with your Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers! As Dean of the School of Pharmacy and a Professor of Pharmacy Practice, I have gotten to know many of you on a personal level, and I look forward to having the honor of presiding over your graduation ceremony this year. I have witnessed first-hand the tremendous professional maturation that has accompanied your progression in our intense and challenging Pharm.D. program. I have no doubt that through the expansive professional network that you have developed here at the School of Pharmacy, your superb credentials will lead you to
success. You are valuable additions to the Profession of Pharmacy and the healthcare system and I see great things in store for you. Please feel free to call upon me if I can be helpful to you in any way as you build your careers. It has been a privilege to work so closely with you over the years, and although we will miss you, we know our paths will cross in the future. The School looks forward to hearing about your many successes. Please keep us posted. My sincere best wishes for professional and personal happiness in the years ahead. Congratulations ... this is only the beginning! Sincerely, Joseph A. Barone, Pharm.D., FCCP Joseph A. Barone is the dean and professor II of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.
May 14, 2017
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Letter: Cap and Skull Class of 2017 Dear Scarlet Knights, Congratulations and best wishes to the graduating Class of 2017! To the rest of the student body, congratulations on completing yet another year on the Banks. As our Alma Mater wisely states, “From far and near we came to Rutgers, and resolved to learn all that we can.” Rutgers has certainly inspired us to keep learning, moving forward and growing thanks to our time on the banks of the old Raritan. As we turn the page on this chapter of our lives and set our eyes to the future, we also want to take some time to reflect on the past and future of Rutgers University. It has truly been a historic year! Just to name a few highlights, we celebrated our 250th anniversar y as the eighth oldest institution of higher learning in the US, we continued our support for the Embrace Kids Foundation by raising over $1 million through Dance Marathon and we demonstrated our passion for current social issues by taking to the streets in thousands. It is clear that Rutgers has grown in its role as a revolutionary university. At such a critical time in our history, it is important
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that we ask ourselves, “How do we continue to be revolutionary for the next 250 years?” The answer may lie in some of Rutgers’ greatest strengths: diversity and breadth of opportunities. Rutgers has always been identified by its diversity on and around campus. Surrounded by hundreds of different organizations, we as students find ways to seek causes that resonate with us and allow our passions to blossom. We find our niche, our home and devote ourselves to making ourselves and our organizations better. Naturally, our passions lead us to become deeply embedded in our fields. While there is strength in those experiences, we may lose sight of the immense potential in collaborating with groups outside of our direct scope. But what if we could connect our unique interests to better serve the community as a whole, while also broadening our own horizons? What if we could connect business and environmental sustainability? Or engineering and social activism? Or policy and artistic expression? This year has shown us more than ever the impor tance of including diverse thoughts and opinions in the discussion.
Cap and Skull is an honor society at Rutgers University that accepts 18 new members every year. COURTESY OF MAEGAN KAE SUNAZ By cultivating this interdisciplinar y synergy, we unite as leaders and work with fellow students to impact Rutgers for the better. And beyond impacting our communities, this is an oppor tunity to explore new
realms and par tnerships beyond the University. Now is the time more than ever to get creative and take action. Be a champion of real change. We may be surrounded by many shades, but our Scarlet never fades.
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Let’s continue to help revolutionize each and every day. Spectemur Agendo. The Cap and Skull Senior Honor Society Class of 2017.
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Mike Hyland, Congrats! We are so proud of you for all the hard work & countless hours it took to earn this degree and will continue to take to pursue your Master’s Degree. You’re smart, hard working, caring, compassionate and driven. You never let anything get you down or stand in the way of you achieving your dreams. We are so proud of you! We love you to infinity and beyond! Mom, Dad, Johnny & Jenn
May 14, 2017
Cap & Gown
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Congratulations Glenn! We are so very proud of you and all your accomplishments! Keep working hard and all your dreams will come true! We love you very much!! Mom, Dad, Allison and Catherine
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CONGRATULATIONS DANIELLE!
We are so very proud of you. “take pride in how far you have come & have faith in how far you can go” Love Mom, Dad, & Wesley
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Congratulations Nicole! Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try — we are so very proud that you have tried and succeeded. Love you, Mom & Matt
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Congratulations to our rising alumni! To our graduating Targumites: No one quite understands 2 a.m. deadlines, wall quotes and headlining frustrations as much as you do. Joining The Daily Targum is quite the unique collegiate experience, and we are proud that you are part of our family. From interviewing famous politicians, eating dinner together on the daily and sleep-deprived laughter that can only be produced after three deadlines and re-laying out pages, we are sure that the trials and tribulations have made you better journalists and helped you grow as a person. Thank you for setting such a great precedent and leaving your footprints at the doorstep of 204 Neilson St. (or 26 Mine St.). We have nothing but faith that you will be successful in the real world. Just remember — when you’re famous, we expect an interview. Love dearly, The 149th Editorial Board
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May 14, 2017
Thomas N. Farris is the dean of the School of Engineering. RUTGERS.EDU
Letter: Thomas N. Farris
To the School of Engineering Class of 2017, When Rutgers University first settled on the banks of the
Raritan 250 years ago, engineering was not an established field of study. It wasn’t until 1864, when Rutgers admitted its
first class of seven engineering students, that an engineering degree was offered. Now, more than 150 years later, the School
of Engineering is thriving with nearly 5,000 high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students and more than 20,000 living alumni. As members of the class of 2017, you are now part of the greater Rutgers School of Engineering community which is far larger than your graduating class, but one that is no less connected by our shared experiences as Rutgers engineers. You are also now part of the professional community of engineers and all the responsibilities and expectations that come along with your degree. As students, you were challenged in ways that sometimes pushed you beyond what you thought you were capable of. You learned how to tackle problems and find solutions. You collaborated and worked in teams. You sought out internships and co-ops that of fered real-world experiences. And you’ve come to understand that being an engineer means you’re never done learning. As you prepare for your next big adventure whether it is in industr y, the public sector, or academia, you are entering into a proud profession. Engineers continue to invent products and the technologies required to make them. We raise the standard of living and improve quality and length of life. And we invent new industries that have the potential to be powerful economic drivers. As someone once said, “To the optimist, the glass is half full. To
the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.” You may remember that during your first-year convocation ceremony I asked you to look to your left and look to your right, and promised that you would get through the next four years together. Well, you did! As you embark on this new phase of your personal and professional life, I am confident you will succeed in making a lasting impression. But I also encourage you to stay connected. The School of Engineering offers many ways for you to continue to be involved through networking events, mentorship, and continuing education programs. As many of you experienced firsthand, a network of successful alumni benefits the school in so many ways and is essential to fulfilling the school’s mission and realizing its vision. Treasure what you have gained here at Rutgers. The friendships you discovered, the knowledge you acquired, and the challenges you overcame. You have the foundation—build upon it, and let nothing stand between you and what you can accomplish. On behalf of all the faculty and staff at the Rutgers University School of Engineering, I congratulate you on your graduation and wish you the best of luck in all of your future endeavors. Thomas N. Farris, Ph.D. Thomas N. Farris is the dean of the School of Engineering.
May 14, 2017
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justin shulberg Justin Schulberg is a graduating senior and the former president of the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA). LINKEDIN
Letter: Justin Shulberg My Fellow Graduates of the Class of 2017, It is with great pride, honor and excitement that I say congratulations on graduating! The momentous achievement of graduating cannot be understated. All of us have come so far these past few years to get to this point. Let me just recap some of what we went through these past few years.
Our first year very readily defined what our next few would look like. On the international field, a deal was struck with Iran over their use of nuclear materials. Later that year, after an offer to speak at Commencement was accepted by Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, and later declined, the stage was set for Rutgers to be a hotbed of political activity and national interest.
Our second year while we studied, an Ebola global health crisis, a historic deal lifting the embargo on Cuba and the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, we watched as the world around us began to change permanently. Our third year, Rutgers reigned in its 250th anniversary. Founded in 1766, Rutgers University has been a part of the fabric of America longer than the country’s been
Our path to this point hasn’t around. Despite a few hiccups with Exfocus on the prowl, the been easy by any measure. year was nothing short of excep- Whether it be working two jobs tional. The national landscape to afford to pay for college to continued its evolution even fur- get to this point or overcoming ther after the landmark Supreme the stresses of running a stuCourt case that ruled that same- dent organization event during sex couples be allowed to marry midterms week, our Rutgers grit and Jersey roots have allowed no matter where they live. In just two short months, Rut- us to overcome the challenges. gers hosted some of the most In some of those moments, we notables figures in the country. didn’t think we would make it. We Talking about the role of the thought the stress would get us, courts, Supreme Court Justice So- that the challenges would overnia Sotomayor spoke to thousands come us. But we pushed on. We of students at the RAC. In the fought. And we conquered. As we enter the next chapter heat of a contentious presidential primary campaign, Rutgers host- of our lives, we welcome the ed candidate Bernie Sanders for next set of challenges and obstacles. The a large-scale real world will rally at the push us hardRAC. Just a er than ever month later, “The momentous before. The the University achievement of challenges of hosted, for the living in the first time in its graduating cannot be 21st century history, a situnderstated.” are uniquely ting President complex. Yet, of the United we have fosStates. PresJUSTIN SCHULBERG tered the reident Barack Former President of RUSA solve, the grit Obama delivand the purered the 250th pose to push Commencement Address, a speech that is onward, to overcome those obwidely considered to be one of his stacles, and to defeat whatever challenges come our way. As we best speeches as president. This past year, Rutgers contin- go into the real world, the lesued the 250th anniversary tradi- sons we learned here will help tions. Hosting Steve Forbes and us succeed there. Best of luck Civil Rights activist and Congress- in everything you do and all that man John Lewis, we maintained you accomplish. Congratulations our strong presence in the political Class of 2017! sphere. After seeing the inauguraIn Rutgers Spirit, tion of a new president, Donald J. Trump, there were multiple largeJustin Schulberg scale rallies organized and attended by the Rutgers Community, Justin Schulberg is a graduating many of which drew thousands of participants and made it onto senior and the former president of the Rutgers University Student Assembly. prime time nightly news shows.
William Holzemer is a distinguished professor and the dean of the Rutgers School of Nursing. COURTESY OF WILLIAM HOLZEMER
Letter: William Holzemer Dear Graduates, Congratulations – what a wonderful accomplishment to have completed this phase of your education. We want to thank your parents, spouses, and significant others who have helped you to achieve this goal. And, congratulations to the faculty for their wisdom, guidance, mentorship – we salute their contributions to your success. Now what? Graduate school? Peace Corp? Military service? A
first position towards your career goals? This is a special time for you to step back and think about the various options that are open to you and to pick wisely. Follow your inner voice and move forward in your career where you find energy and joy. Best wishes, Bill Holzemer William Holzemer is the dean and a distinguished professor of the Rutgers School of Nursing.
May 14, 2017
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Letter: Jacquelyn Litt Dear Class of 2017: On behalf of Douglass Residential College, our staff and fellow students, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on achieving this incredible distinction – earning a degree from Rutgers University. The completion of a degree program is a tremendous accomplishment. As the dean of Douglass Residential College, I have the opportunity of preparing a student population of 2,500 undergraduate women to thrive in a rapidly changing world. For nearly 100 years, Douglass has been a place where generations of women have developed higher aspirations, and are empowered to succeed. We operate with the mission to inspire our students to learn, lead, and live with conviction, creativity, and critical insight. We prepare our students to become the next generation of women leaders, who will contribute innovative solutions to environmental, economic, social justice, and technological challenges. At Douglass, students take command of their lives, and come to believe in themselves as those who can change the world and shape a brighter future. Our students, just like every student at Rutgers, learned to challenge ideology. You quickly came to realize that many of the greatest lessons come from beyond the pages of the book. Your diverse peers provide the necessary elevation of thought needed to prepare you to be a more well-rounded people. We watched you distinguish yourselves in so many ways: from coursework to research, from campus and community activism to leadership, from fieldwork to internships. We have seen you face and conquer adversity to achieve success, and we have celebrated your many victories. You took advantage of all the opportunities the university provided. As the years passed, you quickly understood
Jacquelyn Litt is the dean of the Douglass Residential College and Douglass campus and a professor in the Departments of Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies. COURTESY OF NICK ROMANENKO the power of your voice and the power of your collective voices. You were not a bystander, watching as the years went by; instead you were active, engaged, and inspiring. You are prepared for the next chapter of your life. The world has changed so rapidly since you entered Rutgers, yet you have remained steadfast in your convictions, dedicated to philanthropy and seeing the humanity in others. The issues are great and vast, and we now look to you to contribute your wisdom to help solve the pressing issues of our time. Whether it
is making sure every community has the basic amenities of life, such as having access to clean water, or making sure we are becoming a more inclusive society, you will provide innovative solutions. You will need that same spirit and dedication that brought you from your first day on campus to graduation as you navigate the path ahead. I have the utmost confidence that you will be victorious in your pursuits. Take a moment to reflect on your achievement. You have met all the challenges Rutgers has placed before you. Take your
Rutgers education and be the leaders of tomorrow. You are not alone in the world, you have the entire Rutgers community supporting you and standing beside you every step of the way. Your fresh ideas and energy, your courage and commitment, will lead you places you only imagined in your dreams. And that is the thrill of being a visionary. Graduates of the Class of 2017, we will miss you, and hope you return often. But we release you to your bright future with confidence, hope and excitement.
It is with great pride that we now count you among the university’s distinguished alumni. On behalf of Douglass Residential College and Rutgers University, I say a heartfelt congratulations. Warmly, Jacquelyn Litt, Ph.D. Jacquelyn Litt is the dean of the Douglass Residential College and Douglass campus and a professor in the Departments of Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies.
Letter: President Robert L. Barchi To the Rutgers Class of 2017:
Robert L. Barchi is the president of Rutgers University. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR
Congratulations! You have completed your course of study at Rutgers, and it is time to celebrate your achievement along with your families and friends. Because of your own efforts and the guidance of our outstanding faculty, you are well prepared for lives of achievement and purpose. I hope you will look back with fondness at your time on the Banks and with pride at the work you have accomplished here. We are grateful for your contributions to the University through your scholarship and service. As you take your place among our Rutgers alumni, I encourage you to remain involved in and connected to the University in the years to come. You have my warmest wishes for an exciting and rewarding future and, again, my congratulations on your Rutgers degree. Sincerely, Bob Barchi Robert L. Barchi is the president of Rutgers University.
May 14, 2017
Page 16 WOMEN’S LACROSSE MACY SCOTT SIGNS CONTRACT TO JOIN MARINE CORPS
Knights graduate 2 100-point scorers, future U.S. Marine Coby Green Staff Writer
Graduation season has arrived and with it, the time to say farewell to some key members of the Rutgers women’s lacrosse team, a group that has been on the Banks since the 2013-2014 season. Attacker Amanda Turturro and midfielders Macy Scott and Kristina Dunphey headline the graduating class for the Scarlet Knights, who will join the women's lacrosse alumni. This year’s seniors are a part of the small group that transitioned with all of Rutgers into the Big Ten conference in 2014. Turturro and Scott lead this group and the entire women’s lacrosse team this season, when they were named team captains at the start of the year, an honor they took gracefully and proved themselves worthy of with their play on the field. “Rutgers was definitely a great experience,” Turturro said. “I’m really going to miss it here. I’ve made some really great friends on and off the field, there was a great balance between lacrosse, school and a social life. Coming here was really just a great choice that I made.” The Farmingdale, New York native and communications major saved her best season for last, scoring her most goals of any season and capturing her most points, while leading the Knights in assists as well. Turturro graduates with 100 points, becoming
Graduating senior midfielder Macy Scott signed a contract to commission as a second lieutenant for the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation. JEFFREY GOMEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / MARCH 2017 the 24th member of the 100-point club in Rutgers History. Turturro initially planned on going to graduate school with hopes of becoming a special education teacher, but for the time being is looking into coaching lacrosse at the collegiate level. For Scott, the outlook after graduation is as fierce as it comes. The Toms River, New Jersey native signed an eight-year contract to commission as a second lieutenant for the U.S. Marine Corps on an air contract with hopes of one day being a pilot.
“When I was a little kid growing up, I always wanted to be a pilot,” Scott said. “I got an email from an officer in the Marine Corps, who talked about their program and the aviation option, so I figured why not give them a shot and talk to them.” The business analytics and information technology major hopes to take what she has learned both on and off the field at Rutgers and use it to her advantage when she heads to the basic school this summer after commissioning as a second lieutenant. Scott started every game for the
Knights in her senior season and leaves with 35 points for her career on the banks. Dunphey, a Hillsborough, New Jersey native and journalism and media studies major, capped off her Rutgers career with a bang. In her two seasons as an upperclassmen, Dunphey contributed a whopping 99 points for the Knights, leading the team over the two-year span. “Rutgers was the best experience of my life, not only was the athletics so amazing to me, but our academic advisors as well,”
Dunphey said. “Just getting an education from Rutgers is a great accomplishment. I’m just going to take some time to hang out a bit before I go off and have to work for the rest of my life.” This past season, Dunphey lead the team in points and goals, while not starting every game to be used as a spark off the bench for certain matchups. Dunphey came into the season named as an Honorable Mention Preseason All-American by Inside Lacrosse Magazine. She leaves Rutgers after taking over 200 shots and scoring nearly 90 goals. Although sad to see them go, head coach Laura Brand-Sias knows that this is a moment to be happy and proud about. “They are going to be missed dearly,” Brand-Sias said. “They are an awesome group that bring very different contributions from top to bottom, but they are a group that really bought into the program from day one and fought tooth and nail for everything they were given over their time here. They are a group that were awesome to coach and who brought a lot of positive things to our program. We are really going to miss them, not only with their contributions on the field and in the classroom but just their personalities as a whole. While I’m super proud to have them as alumni, I’m going to miss them a ton.” For updates on the Rutgers women's lacrosse team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.
TENNIS CUNNINGHAM EXITS PROGRAM AFTER HISTORIC SEASON
Cunningham leaves mark after strong Rutgers career Nick Bove Staff Writer
The spring semester draws to a close as do the collegiate careers of some of Rutgers' finest students and athletes. Farris Cunningham is one of those exemplary students both in the classroom and on the courts. The New Orleans native’s long journey will come to a close this May when she takes the much shorter trip to receive her diploma in industrial engineering. The tennis team and the Rutgers community will greatly miss her as she moves onto a new job in Washington, D.C. Farris originally comes from New Orleans but moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina. She took up tennis at a young age and clearly had a knack for it. She was recruited coming out of high school by several Ivy League schools but chose Rutgers as her new home. She enjoyed the sense of community she got from both the team and the campus. She signed with Rutgers and by the end of her career became a leader on the team and in the community. Leaving Rutgers is going to be a bittersweet moment for Farris. In talking to her, you get a sense of how much she has invested into the school and that she's not done contributing to the University. “I am excited to leave and start the new chapter, but I plan to be
back for every Rutgers event. I love Rutgers, this is the best school, and I’m sad to leave it, but I will be back,” she said. That new chapter is a consulting job in Washington, D.C. She’ll move there not too long after graduation. Her work ethic and dedication shows as she handled the rigorous schedule that comes with being a student-athlete. That schedule includes community service and a variety of student organizations as well as the responsibilities that come with being the team captain. Farris has proved she is a model student and that helped her get this job in D.C., but if you ask her, it’s not just her actions but the support of those around her. “Rutgers Athletics has helped me a lot. They prepared me for interviews and helped steer me on the right career path. The support from the athletics department helps me keep that balance between academics and athletics. It’s important for the people in the department to help us grow as people and athletes,” she said. With such immense support from the athletic department it’s no wonder Farris is such a success on the court and in the classroom. In fact, the whole team benefits from the department and the coaching staff as well as each other. One of the goals for the Knights was to be a team that
led by example in the classroom. They value their education just as much if not more so than the athletics which can at times be a rarity. The team's hard work
reflects the outcomes, and that is clear when the team, led by Cunningham, was able to secure two Big Ten wins this year (including one over Penn State),
elevating the Rutgers tennis program to new heights. For updates on the Rutgers tennis team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.
Graduating senior Farris Cunningham shifts to life in Washington, D.C. through the support of Rutgers Athletics in career preparation. THE DAILY TARGUM / FEBRUARY 2016
Page 17
May 14, 2017 SOFTBALL RUTGERS GRADUATES KEY GROUP OF SENIORS
RU youth set to take over with seniors closing out careers Jordan Farbowitz Staff Writer
One of the main narratives this season for the Rutgers softball team is that it is young. Half of its team is made up of either freshmen or
sophomores, with even more coming in next season. And while this has led to some growing pains, particularly at the start of the season, there have always been the older players there to be a mentor to them all.
Graduating senior and starting pitcher Shayla Sweeney led the staff this season with nine wins and 136.1 innings pitched. JEFFREY GOMEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / APRIL 2017
The Scarlet Knights (13-33, 4-14) have five seniors who will be graduating this May. First baseman Bridget Carr, centerfielder Carly Todd, catcher Dana Hendry, and pitchers Shayla Sweeney and Aubrie Levine will all walk across the stage at High Point Solutions Stadium, leaving the program as well as the University. These five Rutgers players have been an integral part of the team ever since they first set foot on the diamond, and head coach Jay Nelson reminisced on all the success that the class of 2017 brought him and his team over the years. “They were part of our best season in 15 years back when they were freshmen,” he said. “I remember Carly putting down a suicide squeeze with two outs to win a game against Houston. Bridget has done a fantastic job at first base, so that’s another spot that we’ll have to fill. Shayla has won us some great games in the circle. They’ve taught the underclassmen how to play, and have done a great job.” Some of the seniors have made an effort to go all out during their final season and make sure that their final games count. As the ace of the pitching staff, Sweeney is responsible for keeping her offense in games, and she has done that all season. Through April 29, she leads the team with a 4.83 ERA, nine wins,
136.1 innings pitched, 10 complete games and 57 strikeouts. If there’s one pitcher that the Knights want in the circle, it’s her. And in the bullpen, Levine has shined despite not having many opportunities. She has given up the least amount of hits and runs amongst pitchers with 30 or more innings, and is third on the team with 16 strikeouts. And on defense, Todd and Carr have put up astounding numbers. They are two of three Rutgers players to have a 1.000 fielding percentage this year, and neither one of them has committed a single error. When it comes to post-college plans, a majority of the seniors have decided not to abandon the sport that they have played for most of their lives, even when they leave college. Sweeney plans on working in communications and sports media, Hall hopes to coach and give softball lessons and Levine wants to work within athletic administration. Clearly, playing softball at the University has impacted how they want to spend their lives. But while leaving the University will be a milestone that they will never forget, they all agreed that it’s also a bit of a sad moment, as they have spent their last four years in Piscataway learning from their coaches and fellow players. The consensus among them was
that they would miss the connections they made with their teammates the most. “Our class is really close,” Hall said. “I think that being on a team where I’ve found lifelong friends has made the experience really fun.” But they will definitely make an effort to keep in contact with their teammates, even when they have moved on to bigger and better things. “We all live fairly close to each other except for the California girls, but we have a plan to go out there this summer,” Levine said. “And they’re going to come back here for football games. So we’ll definitely stay connected.” And while Nelson will undoubted miss the production that they have brought him, he knows that taking them under his wing has allowed them to succeed not just right now, but in the long term. “It’s always bittersweet when the seniors leave because it’s their last game ever and they’re never going to play again,” Nelson said. “But they’re going out to a life that we’ve trained them for and what Rutgers has trained them for. Our program is about preparing our players for life after they graduate.” For updates on the Rutgers softball team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.
May 14, 2017
Page 18 MEN’S LACROSSE RUTGERS GRADUATES 1ST GROUP TO GO TO BIG EAST, BIG TEN TOURNAMENTS
Public service, homeland security, yachts await RU seniors Griffin Whitmer Associate Sports Editor
For the graduating seniors of the Rutgers men’s lacrosse team, many great — and unique — opportunities await them in their future. Have you ever heard of a yacht brokerage firm? Because that is what midfielder Charlie Nicklaus wants to start up in the future. Nicklaus, the grandson of legendar y golfer Jack Nicklaus and the son of Jack Nicklaus II, a renowned golf course designer, has aspirations of starting his own yacht brokerage firm, a future goal that not many college kids would set for themselves. And then there’s Pat McCabe, the 25-year-old defenseman who served three and a half years as an Army Ranger. McCabe joined the team as a walk-on in 2015 and served as a team captain for his final season on the Banks. And while his future isn’t set in stone, the Kinnelon, New Jersey native plans on pursuing a master’s degree in homeland security. And when you hear the name Scarpello, you might think of Christian Scarpello, the starting short-stick defensive midfielder. But he wasn’t the first Scarpello to play lacrosse for Rutgers. That accolade goes to his older brother Collin, an attacker who specializes in the man-up unit. But he also isn’t the last, as their cousin Samantha Scarpello is a freshman defender on the women’s lacrosse team. Collin Scarpello scored the first goal of his career this season
Graduating senior attacker Collin Scarpello will take the FDNY test in September and will pursue a career in public service after finishing his Rutgers career. THE DAILY TARGUM / FEBRUARY 2016 against Penn State in one of the final games of his career, one that could transition from field turf to burning buildings. Working as a volunteer firefighter has inspired him to
pursue a career in public service. Come September, he will take the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) test with hopes of becoming a New York City firefighter. He is also currently
going through the New Jersey State Police process. “Public ser vice is something that I think I’m definitely going into,” he said. “I love being a volunteer firefighter. It’s something I’ll do for the rest of the my life if I don’t make it a career. It’s given me another perspective on life. Its helped me give back and kind of appreciate the little things people always take for granted.”
For attacker Connor Murphy, his future is pretty set in stone. Head coach Brian Brecht said that he had a fantastic experience with an internship last summer and has a great job lined up on Wall Street when he graduates. “He is playing with house money right now,” Brecht said. “He is enjoying being a full-time lacrosse player and doing extra work on his own and asking questions and watching film and it shows. If you put the time in, you will be rewarded for it and he is living proof of that.” Murphy’s play has seriously escalated in Big Ten play. In the team’s six conference games this season, he leads the Knights with 13 goals and 18 points. And in their upset win over Ohio State, he put forth a team-high 4-point performance. Murphy’s 13 goals in just six conference games match the total he had in eight non-conference games and his 40 points on the year are a career-high, easily topping the 29 he had as a freshman. As Brecht pointed out multiple times over the final week of the season, this group of seniors can say they did something no other group has ever done at Rutgers. In 2014 they went to their first Big East Tournament and in 2016 did the same with the Big Ten Tournament, making them the first group to ever accomplish both feats. But maybe more importantly, this group of seniors helped usher in a new era of Rutgers lacrosse. The team spent every week of the season as a ranked team and was the first Rutgers team to ever reach the No. 1 ranking. For updates on the Rutgers men’s lacrosse team, follow @griffinwhitmer and @TargumSports on Twitter.
Graduating senior attacker Connor Murphy is lined up with a full-time job on Wall Street after graduation. JEFFREY GOMEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / MARCH 2017