Jonelle Allen
President Barack Obama is set to be the Commencement speaker at the Rutger’s University graduation ceremony. Faculty and alumni say they are honored that the president has decided to give a speech at their 250th Anniversary Commencement ceremony.
“It has been exciting to see the response from our students to the news that President Obama has agreed to speak at the Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Commencement on May 15. This is a wonderful honor for Rutgers, and I share the community’s pride and anticipation,” said Rutgers University President Robert Barchi.
The ceremony is to take place on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. in High Point Solutions Stadium at Rutgers University—New Brunswick on the Busch Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey.
While at commencement Rutgers University is presenting President Obama with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Along with President Barack Obama, the University will also extend an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree to Bill Moyers, a journalist and president of the Schumann Media Center. The University will also extend an honorary Doctor of Science degree upon upcoming researcher S. Jocelyn Bell Burner.
Although this opportunity is a great honor, this does mean certain requirements and safety protocols must be taken place at this commencement. Rutger University President Robert Barchi understands this and is striving to come up with a pleasing solution for everyone involved.
“In beginning to plan for the President’s participation in our ceremony, we have quickly recognized that it will not be possible to satisfy requests from all the people at Rutgers who would like to attend in person. We anticipate the White House will request further restrictions that will limit seating. However, in recognition of the historic nature of this event and in order to create the opportunity for Class of 2016 representation from all our universities, I would like to invite at least some of the seniors at Rutgers University–Newark and Rutgers University–Camden who are receiving their bachelor’s degrees this year to be present and view the event in person. Further details regarding the attendance of Rutgers–Newark and Rutgers–Camden graduating seniors will be forthcoming as soon as we work out the logistics.”
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