Georgian Court University presented honorary doctorate degrees to Joe Piscopo and Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez during the 115th Annual Commencement Ceremonies in Lakewood, N.J.
Interim University President Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia officiated the ceremony and presented both with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
Joe Piscopo is a Jersey native, a renowned actor (Saturday Night Live), the radio host of the Joe Piscopo Show, and the founder of the Positive Impact Foundation.
“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.”
Piscopo helped kick off the commencement day celebration with a special live broadcast of the Joe Piscopo Show, which aired from Georgian Court’s historic Mansion on AM970. Callers shared congratulations for the honorary doctorate, and he praised the University’s commitment to service and giving back to the community.
As the Undergraduate Ceremony Speaker, he spoke about the challenges and successes of his life, and 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 ended with “You’re from NJ baby—don’t forget that!” and 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)
Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez is a graphic novelist, activist, creator of La Borinqueña—an original Puerto Rican superhero—and a philanthropist who works closely with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
“I’ve got my cape!” exclaimed Miranda-Rodriguez, as President Cornacchia placed the blue and gold GCU Doctoral hood over his gown.
As the Graduate Ceremony Speaker, Miranda-Rodriguez addressed the 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.”
Miranda-Rodriguez told students he changed career directions 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!”
Degrees were conferred on 540 students from the University’s three schools: 363 bachelor’s degrees, 171 master’s degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees. The new Master of Social Work program marked the first class of graduates with 28 students completing degree requirements. The youngest graduate is 19, and the oldest is 74. First-generation students make up 25 percent of the undergraduate class.
