Kean University Celebrates More than 1,200 Honors Graduates

Kean University honors graduates took center stage at Honors Convocation on Friday, May 5, marking an annual celebration for students graduating with the highest levels of academic achievement.

A total 1,216 students from the University’s six undergraduate colleges achieved honors distinction and were recognized in the event held at Harwood Arena. The undergraduate Class of 2023 will graduate on May 18 at the Prudential Center in Newark.

“Let me tell you, each of you has truly succeeded,” Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., said. “You achieved this level of distinction during what are – to say the least – the most hectic times. You made the commitment to excel and followed through beautifully. As honors graduates, you know that no matter what challenges may await you, you will always be able to say – ‘I can do it.’”

Kean Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David S. Birdsell, Ph.D., welcomed graduates and their guests, noting that the honors graduates had achieved the levels of summa cum laude – GPA of 3.85-4.0; magna cum laude – GPA of 3.65-3.84; or cum laude – GPA of 3.45-3.64.

“Distinguished company in all three of these cases,” Birdsell said.

Steve Fastook ’06H, chair of the Kean University Board of Trustees, offered his congratulations and urged the graduates to “always stay a part of our wonderful community” once they are alumni.

Graduate Noah Constanzo, a summa cum laude graduate, as well as a men’s lacrosse player and the Class of 2023 Salutatorian, also spoke.

“We have all worked hard to reach this moment, and I am proud to be among you,” Constanzo said. “We are the future leaders, the visionaries, the ones who will make a difference in this world.”

His words were echoed by convocation speaker Rajika Bhandari, Ph.D., the principal of Rajika Bhandari Advisors. She is the author of America Calling, a book about her experiences as an international student who arrived in the United States from India, for college, nearly 30 years ago. 

“There has actually never been a better moment to be venturing out into the world,” she said, encouraging students to be globally minded and “of impeccable character” as they move forward. “There are many issues to tackle, whether social, political or economic,” she said.

The graduates, and their beaming friends, family and supporters, were thrilled to celebrate the day.

“This is the culmination of so much hard work, including some late nights and early mornings – so proud to be here today,” said Delia Latini of Oaklyn, New Jersey, who will graduate magna cum laude with a degree in communication. She will pursue her master’s in public administration at Kean in the fall.

Victoria Sorbara of Clark was celebrating her son, Angelo, who is graduating summa cum laude with a dual degree in history and communication.

“It’s been an amazing experience, and I am unbelievably proud,” she said. “Angelo has always worked very, very hard. I can’t wait to see where he goes from here.”

Lakeysha Taylor, of Jersey City, was waiting to present her daughter, Mytaya Jackson of Piscataway, with a long-stemmed red rose after the ceremony. Mytaya graduated cum laude in interior design.

“I’m ecstatic. I am so proud of her,” Taylor said. 

Colby Carlson of Allentown, Pennsylvania, who is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in biology–health professions, was met after the ceremony by a crowd of family members: his parents Jennifer and Geoff Carlson, also of Allentown, and grandparents Lynnette and Bob Allen.

“And he did it in three years,” his mother said, giving him a hug.

Colby attributed his success to “studying every day, missing out on some events, sticking to a schedule.” He plans to become a physician assistant and is headed to graduate school at Texas Tech University.

Reveling in the day together was a group of STEM education honors graduates, who will return to Kean to earn their master’s degrees, while also student teaching. Their rigorous program included multiple courses in physics, chemistry and mathematics, many taken – like all Class of 2023 graduates – remotely during the pandemic.

Brandon Barbieri of Freehold and Matthew Flores of Old Bridge, both summa cum laude grads, credited the camaraderie and friendship they found in their cohort of eight students.

“We all worked together, on Zoom calls and study sessions,” said Flores, a STEM education mathematics major, who will student teach at Sayreville High School. “It was amazing to have a group we could depend on and grow with.”

Barbieri, also a STEM education major with a concentration in math, will do his student teaching at Manalapan High School.

“It was awesome to have our tight community,” Barbieri said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”