BERKELEY COLLEGE CELEBRATES ‘REMARKABLE RESILIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE’
Photo Caption: Berkeley College celebrates the perseverance and achievements of more than 1,000 graduates during a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
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Berkeley College celebrated the perseverance and achievements of more than 1,000 graduates during a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The graduating class included 88 military and veteran graduates, 113 international students from 30 countries, future healthcare heroes, and many first-generation college graduates.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand the remarkable resilience and perseverance displayed by each and every one of you,” said Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College. “Remember the lessons you have learned, the relationships you have built, and the challenges you have overcome during your time at Berkeley College, and let these lessons fuel your drive to create a brighter future for yourself and for those around you.”
The average age of this year’s Berkeley College graduate is 31 years old, with 73 percent of the graduates age 25 or older. More than 80 percent of the graduates who identified their ethnicity in a survey identify as Black or Hispanic. The graduates join the ranks of 66,000 Berkeley College alumni from around the world.
Who are This Year’s Berkeley College Graduates?
“Graduates, you are the future leaders in the workforce and in the community,” said Kevin L. Luing, Berkeley College Board Chairman. “As an alumnus of Berkeley College your story continues. There is much more to be written. And as your career progresses, we will always be here to support you in your professional development and career advancement.”
View the Ceremony: Click here to watch the full Commencement ceremony. Click here to read more about the 2024 speakers and honorees.
Jaime Wynn, President, Jimmy Choo Americas and a 2015 Berkeley College alumna, was honored as Alumna of the Year.
“It was at Berkeley College that I rediscovered the power of resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of collaboration in achieving shared goals, and the significance of integrity in every endeavor,” Wynn said. “I am indebted to this institution for not only equipping me with the knowledge and the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the world but also instilling in me a sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.”
Tiffany Melone of Clifton, NJ, was the recipient of the Outstanding Student Award. Throughout her life, Melone has confronted homelessness, domestic violence, and health struggles head-on. She now helps others through her work in the behavioral health field.
Jazmin Peralta Nunez, a resident of the Bronx, NY, served as the 2024 Student Speaker. Peralta Nunez was born and raised in Santiago, Dominican Republic, and emigrated to the United States in 2019. Despite the challenges she faced as an immigrant in the United States, Peralta Nunez was undeterred in her pursuit of higher education and is active in community service.
“It all seemed like an impossible dream that I was willing to make possible, because I knew what I wanted and where I saw myself in the future,” Peralta Nunez said of her journey to the United States. “I am sure each one of you here today has your own version of the American Dream. Berkeley College opened doors and created opportunities that allowed a little girl from the Dominican Republic to stand before you today.”
Lisa Karakas, Professor, English, Berkeley College Division of General Education, was selected as the Faculty Speaker.
“Be inquisitive and open minded about learning new skills at work and in other aspects of your life. A growth mindset is the way to go,” Karakas said. “Take all that you’ve learned from your experience at Berkeley College and spread your wings and fly.”
U.S. Senator Cory Booker, players from the New York City Football Club, and New York State Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, a Berkeley College alumna, also shared congratulatory videos with the graduates.
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 3,500 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, for 11 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2023-2024 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
