It was a festive two days at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden to mark the 2019 Rutgers University–Camden Commencement. Patrick Harker (right), president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, was the keynote speaker for the Camden College of Arts and Sciences and University College–Camden graduation ceremony on May 22. He spoke of the unique resilience of Rutgers–Camden graduates, many of them first-generation college students from different backgrounds who faced many hurdles.

“That resilience you have?” Harker said. “That’s an advantage that puts you 10 yards ahead of everyone else. That is your superpower. That resilience means you’ll know who you are—not every day and not all the time, because life isn’t that simple. But it will center you in times of doubt, and it will always lead you back to yourself.”

Ernest Grant, president of the American Nurses Association, delivered the keynote address to the School of Nursing–Camden graduates, and Wendy Osefo GSC’12,’16,  an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, spoke to the degree candidates of the Graduate School–Camden.

On May 23, Neal Katyal (top left), former acting solicitor general of the United States, gave the keynote speech during the Rutgers Law School graduation ceremony. He also received an honorary doctor of laws degree, as did Kenneth C. Frazier (below left), CEO and board chair of Merck & Co. Frank Giordano SBC’72, president and CEO of the Philly Pops, addressed the students of the School of Business–Camden.