William S. Nye delivered the address during the 249th Anniversary Commencement for Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

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William S. Nye delivered the address during the 249th Anniversary Commencement for Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Photography: 
Roy Groething

Under fair skies and before an enthusiastic crowd of graduates and their families, William S. Nye—better known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy”—delivered a stirring, often amusing address during the 249th Anniversary Commencement for Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, which took place on May 17 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway. Nye, the CEO of the Planetary Society and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, implored members of the graduating class to be the “next great generation” by tackling the biggest challenge of their time: climate change. 

Author and historian Earl Lewis, who is also president of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, addressed graduates at Rutgers University–Newark’s commencement ceremony, which was held on May 18 at the Prudential Center in Newark. Bryan A. Stevenson, the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and professor of clinical law at the New York University School of Law, delivered remarks on May 21 during the Rutgers University–Camden commencement, held at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden. Also delivering remarks was musician and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi, who surprised a delighted audience by performing “Reunion,” a song he wrote for the Rutgers–Camden Class of 2015. All of the featured speakers received honorary degrees from Rutgers.