The celebration of the University’s 115th Annual Commencement started earlier than usual this year, kicking off at 6 a.m. with a special live broadcast of the Joe Piscopo Show, airing from Georgian Court’s historic Mansion on AM970.
Joe Piscopo, this year’s Undergraduate Speaker and honorary degree recipient, paid homage to the school many times during the broadcast. He noted our beautiful, friendly campus and praised our commitment to service and efforts to give back to the community, a theme that resonated throughout the day’s events.
The formal celebration started with the Baccalaureate Mass at the Dorothy Marron University Community Chapel, led by Msgr. Vince Gartland, Father Raymond Son Tran, CSF, and Deacon John Barrett, accompanied by Music Director Rev. Rob MacReynolds, Cantor Jessica Tanner, and Executive Director of Mission and Ministry Jeffrey Schaffer.
The pews were filled, and the service included hymns, readings, communion, and special recognition of the graduates. The Homily focused on the Ascension of the Lord, which was related to graduate feelings of “what is next and where am I going.”
“At first glance, it may seem like Jesus is leaving. The disciples looking up into the sky and wondering what just happened. It feels a bit unsettling, but it is not an ending. The Ascension is not about Jesus going away up into the sky; it is about beginnings,” said Msgr. Gartland.
The Msgr. told graduates that just like the disciples who had to carry on without Jesus, this is their push to go forward, not alone, but supported by God and the values learned at Georgian Court. “Don’t stay stuck in fear, comfort, or keep looking backward… go forward with courage, faith, and purpose. May your education not just become a diploma on the wall, but a calling to serve God and neighbor with generosity and joy and hope.”
The next phase of the celebration included the traditional bagpipe-led procession around the Apollo Fountain, with faculty and students decked out in full academic regalia, marking the final leg of their higher education journey. The melody of Pomp & Circumstance was underscored by boisterous cheers, ear-piercing whistles, and thunderous applause from a packed room of family and friends, as the Class of 2026 entered the Wellness Center.
“Let me be the first to congratulate you, the Class of 2026!” said Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer Julie Furst-Bowe, Ph.D. “What a great day to say well done, celebrate your hard work, and say thank you to those who helped you.”
The patriotic energy in the room was palpable as Natalie Moradian ’26 performed the Star-Spangled Banner, accompanied by Music Director Robert MacReynolds. Executive Director of Mission and Ministry Jeffrey Schaffer fed the spirit of the room and offered heartfelt blessings to the graduates during the Invocation: “Wherever they go, whatever they do, may they be a great and joyful blessing to our world.”
Interim University President Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia addressed the graduates with pride, drawing attention to the effort and commitment it took to achieve this goal by balancing academic studies with home, family, work, and life.
“I see a class defined not just by achievement, but by resilience, purpose, and heart,” said Dr. Cornacchia. “You have leaned on your community, built bonds that will last a lifetime, and discovered who you are and what you care about most.”
Dr. Cornacchia’s message also emphasized the power of using the Mercy Core Values of respect, integrity, justice, compassion, and service as a compass to navigate and live life now and in the future.
“The world you enter needs your leadership, curiosity, and courage. It needs the voices of those who have learned to listen. It needs the skills of those who understand that progress matters most when it is rooted in purpose. And it needs graduates like you who believe that success isn’t just about what you earn, but how you serve.”
Chair of the Board of Trustees Sister Michele Aronica, RSM, Ph.D., who shared congratulations from the Board, exclaimed: “This is the day the Lord has made…Let us rejoice and be glad!” She encouraged graduates to be confident and draw on the values they deepened during their time at the University. “Your character, along with your competence, are gifts you bring with you as you face your future. Hold fast to them. In our current national and international reality, as the world is in such need of your gifts at this time.”
Undergraduate Student Speaker Hunter Rindos, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration from the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, noted that this class has grown, not only as individuals but as a community. “We’ve discovered strengths we didn’t know we had, and we’ve built friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.” He added, “Georgian Court didn’t just give me an education; it gave me a support system that helped me grow stronger and helped me be more confident.”
He rounded out his remarks by thanking the faculty and staff across the university on behalf of the Class of 2026 for their “support, hard work, and dedication.” He also had a special thank you for Coach Mickey Hover: “Your guidance and encouragement have made a huge difference in who I am today, and I’m truly grateful for everything you’ve done for me.”
Rindos was one of three individuals who received awards during the ceremonies. He was selected by his classmates to receive the Kingdon Gould Jr. Award for contributing the most to Georgian Court’s general welfare.
The Academic Excellence Award for the senior attaining the highest grade point average was presented to Bridget Dunn, who earned a Bachelor of Science in the School of Business and Digital Media.
The Virginia Graham ’31 Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to Dr. Vincent Chen, Associate Professor of Exercise Science. The recipient is selected by their peers for demonstrating exceptional teaching, thoughtful mentorship, and a deep commitment to student success, and for embodying the spirit of academic excellence and the Mercy core values.
Dr. Cornacchia presented Undergraduate Speaker Joe Piscopo, a Jersey native known as an actor, philanthropist, and radio host, with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. “Not in a million years did I think I would be worthy of anything like this,” remarked Piscopo. “Georgian Court is a great university. You make Jersey Proud! I stand here with the greatest humility and gratitude.”
The Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters was also bestowed upon Graduate Speaker Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, a graphic novelist, activist, philanthropist, and creator of La Borinqueña — an original Puerto Rican superhero. “I’ve got my cape!” exclaimed Miranda-Rodriguez, as President Cornacchia placed the blue and gold GCU Doctoral hood over his gown.
During Piscopo’s address, he crisscrossed the stage, talking about the challenges and successes of his life, but he also told the audience it took him years to learn the biggest lesson in life, something Georgian Court students already know.
“You have to look at what [the] Sisters of Mercy did when they created this college. It was from their heart and giving to humanity, and that is the most important thing. It took me years to learn that,” said Piscopo. “You have to take care of yourself first, use that ego, intellect, and success – don’t forget what the Sisters of Mercy have laid out for you.”
He also warned the audience not to take the negativity that pervades social media seriously. “They will try to turn us against each other, but Jesus said love thy neighbor. You’re from NJ, baby – don’t forget that!” The speech ended with an impromptu singing performance that brought down the house, a hilarious rendition of Frank Sinatra’s classic “New York, New York” with lyrics switched to be about New Jersey with GCU sprinkled in. (YouTube Link)
Miranda-Rodriguez addressed the graduate students, first in Spanish and then in English, with a message that compared commencement to writing a book. “You made it to the end of this chapter. Congratulations! Now your next challenge is to turn the page to the next chapter, which is blank–waiting for you to write it.” He asked graduates, “What will your next story be? What opportunity will this create for you?”
Miranda-Rodriguez spoke about the challenges in his life and how he changed career direction many times, but at the core, he kept true to his beliefs: his desire to advocate for those less fortunate and make life better for others.
“Today, more than ever, we need superheroes in classrooms, hospitals, offices, halls of justice, and in every home. People who stand up to hate and bigotry and fight it with tolerance, empathy, and love.” He concluded, “I was conferred an Honorary degree, and I am part of your cohort class of ’26. We all assemble today to start anew. Look around at each other… Our community connects us all globally and goes beyond this. Collectively, we have the superpower to save the day, and it commences now!”
One of the highlights of the Graduate Ceremony was recognition of the first cohort of 28 students who completed the new Master of Social Work Program. Sophia Melendez, a member of this first class, served as the Graduate Student Speaker.
“For many, this didn’t happen in isolation. It happened alongside full-time jobs, family responsibilities, long days, and competing priorities. Reaching this point took effort, consistency, and a level of commitment that shouldn’t be overlooked,” said Melendez. “As we move forward into our careers, that same effort will carry into the work we do and the impact we make.”
She also acknowledged the faculty who “helped shape this program and guided us through it,” and the growing importance of the social work field, which involves advocacy and work that is essential but often goes unnoticed. “[Social work] plays a critical role in addressing gaps within systems and ensuring that individuals are not overlooked…Social workers advocate within systems that are often complex. Social workers remain grounded in their values, even when the work is not recognized…that responsibility is something we carry with us.”
Representatives from the Georgian Court Alumni Association reminded everyone that even though they are graduating, the university is always here to offer support and guidance. “Like the alumnae of 1912 and all the alumni since, you are forever members of the GCU family!” said Mary Pierce, President of the GCU Alumni Association.
At the end of the day, 540 degrees were conferred from the University’s three schools: 363 bachelor’s degrees, 171 master’s degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees. The youngest graduate was 19, the oldest was 74, and first-generation students made up 25 percent of the undergraduate class. In addition, 4 students successfully completed the Transition and Career Studies Program (TCS) non-degree certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities.
Before the singing of the Alma Mater, “Hail to the Blue and Gold,” Dr. Cornacchia closed the ceremonies with these words:
“As you go forward from this place, I ask you to remember who you are and who you’ve become. Live the values you’ve learned here. Be bold in your pursuit of justice. Be merciful in how you engage with others. And never underestimate the power of a single life—your life—to make a difference.”
Congratulations to all our graduates – GO LIONS!
