Journalist Soledad O’Brien was Rutgers University–Newark’s commencement speaker.

s16_30-RUNewark-Sciarrino_r1_inline.jpg

Journalist Soledad O’Brien was Rutgers University–Newark’s commencement speaker. She was introduced by Newark mayor Ras Baraka before addressing a full house at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Photography: 
Robert Sciarrino

On May 18, Rutgers University–Newark honored close to 2,280 graduate and undergraduate students at the Prudential Center in Newark. Chancellor Nancy Cantor and provost Jerome Williams presided over the ceremony, which included the Newark College of Arts and Sciences, University College–Newark, the Graduate School–Newark, the Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick, the School of Criminal Justice, and the School of Public Affairs and Administration. Newark mayor Ras Baraka congratulated the Class of 2016 and introduced the Rutgers–Newark commencement speaker, award-winning  journalist Soledad O’Brien, who urged graduates to find their passion and make positive changes in the world. “Do not listen to other people’s take on the life you should lead,” she said.