Rowan College At Burlington County Hosting 5 Commencements In May

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Rowan College at Burlington County is doubling down on graduations this year after not being able to host ceremonies last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Graduates from the classes of 2020 and 2021 will be honored in five ceremonies over the course of three days in May, college officials announced Monday morning.

The ceremonies will be held on the campus quad from Wednesday, May 19 to Friday, May 21. The week will conclude with a virtual ceremony on Facebook Live at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 21 for those who cannot attend in person.

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Not only did the coronavirus pandemic disrupt life in 2020, but the nation was gripped by political unrest and issues of social and racial justice. These topics and the issue of maintaining education in uncertain times will also be tackled by six keynote speakers during the commencements.

“After a tumultuous year, we are beyond excited to give our graduates the recognition they deserve while in a socially-distanced and safe outdoor environment,” Rowan College at Burlington County President Dr. Michael A. Cioce said. “These ceremonies are 12 months overdue and will mark a big step toward a more robust return to campus in the fall.”

It will be the second time Rowan College at Burlington County hosts five commencement ceremonies. There were also five in 2018, when inclement weather disrupted the college’s original plans, college officials noted.

The schedule for this year’s ceremonies is as follows:

Wednesday, May 19 – Liberal Arts 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Featured speakers:

• Joe Rizzo, an RCBC Criminal Justice instructor who earned Professor of the Year in 2020 and was part of the college’s Healing our Communities conversation on racial and social justice.
• Lavett Ballard, an RCBC alumna, who is one of the nation’s top artists whose work captures the African American experience within a historical framework.
• President's Award winner Jazzrein Robinson, who was active in campus ministry and the women’s soccer team, is pursuing a career in elementary education where she will focus on a curriculum that stresses life skills such as holistic well-being and emotional intelligence.
• Valedictorian Nicole Ceballos, an aspiring teacher who came to America from Panama, and went from English as a Second Language classes to top of her graduating class in four years.

Thursday, May 20 – Health Sciences 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Featured Speakers:

• Dr. Jennifer LeComte, director of Rowan Integrated Special Needs Center, and faculty member of Rowan’s School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM).
• Dr. Danielle Cooley, chair of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine’s (SOM) Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. Rowan University’s SOM served as a COVID vaccination center where many RCBC nursing students and faculty volunteered gaining valuable clinical experience while assisting in the effort to stop COVID.
• President’s Award Winner Rebekah Feinberg who is pursuing a career as a cardiovascular surgeon. She volunteered extensively on and off and earned the college’s prestigious Vincent J. Sollimo scholarship for chemistry after participating in a research project about how to sustain life on Mars.
• Nursing graduate Katie Divito will announce the Class of 2021’s selection of Professor of the Year.

Friday, May 21 – STEM 10 a.m.

Featured speakers:

• Congressman Andy Kim, who has been advocating for businesses affected by the pandemic and who created some positive national news for helping clean up debris following the attacks in the Capital.
• Dr. Neely Hackett, superintendent of the Willingboro School District, whose appointment as leader of the district coincided with the pandemic.
• President’s Award Winner Rebekah Feinberg who is pursuing a career as a cardiovascular surgeon. She volunteered extensively on and off and earned the college’s prestigious Vincent J. Sollimo scholarship for chemistry after participating in a research project about how to sustain life on Mars.

Virtual ceremony, Friday, May 21, 7 p.m. on Facebook

Students have received communication indicating which ceremony they should attend. The following safety precautions will be in place:

• Masks are required.
• Students and guests will be six feet apart except for family pods for guests in the same household.
• Touchless diploma pickup.
• Sanitizing of all areas between ceremonies.
• If rain cancels a ceremony, it will be conducted virtually. The college does not have an auditorium large enough to accommodate these ceremonies within the state guidance for social distancing.

Requirements may be adjusted according to the latest guidance from state health officials.