Georgian Court University will celebrate the 114th Annual Commencement Ceremonies on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Wellness Center Arena on the campus in Lakewood, N.J. Degrees* will be conferred to 456 students from the University’s three schools: 319 Bachelor’s Degrees, 134 Master’s Degrees, 3 Doctorate Degrees.
The day begins with a Baccalaureate Mass at 10 a.m. at the Dorothy Marron University Chapel. The traditional bagpipe-led student and faculty procession will start at 12:10 p.m. at Jeffries Hall and parade across campus to the Wellness Center for the Undergraduate Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. The Graduate procession will start at 5:15 p.m. at Jeffries Hall and culminate at the Wellness Center for the ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
Former New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, executive director of the Mercy Center in Asbury Park, N.J., will be the graduate speaker and recipient of the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. The Mercy Center, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, provides programs and services that empower, enrich, and educate people facing socio-economic challenges to realize their full potential, with an emphasis on women and children.
The undergraduate speaker will be Dr. Tara Chalakani, an integrative psychotherapist, co-host of the Welloff podcast, and CEO of Preferred Behavioral Health Group in Lakewood, N.J. Preferred Behavioral Health Group is a nonprofit community-based organization providing individualized services focused on mental health, addiction, recovery and wellness.
The three schools will award the following degrees:
- School of Arts, Sciences, and Education: 1 Associate’s, 133 Bachelor’s, 97 Master’s, 3 Doctorates.
- School of Business & Digital Media: 46 Bachelor’s, 29 Master’s.
- Hackensack Meridian Health School of Nursing and Wellness at GCU: 140 Bachelor’s, 8 Master’s.
The Undergraduate student address will be presented by Emma Gildea, of Manahawkin, N.J., who will graduate with a B.S. in Business Administration and Spanish.
The Graduate student address will be presented by Lauren Jensen, of Jackson, N.J., who will graduate with an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication.
*The graduation numbers include students who completed degree requirements in August 2024, December 2024, and February 2025.
