RCSJ Cumberland Students Celebrate Accomplishments at Graduation Ceremony

On Thursday, May 12, Rowan College of South Jersey’s Cumberland campus held its 3^rd annual Commencement ceremony.

More than 400 students were on hand to celebrate their academic and athletic achievements with their fellow graduates, family members and friends. Additionally, more than 600 graduates earned degrees and certificates this year.

Several students shared their thoughts about their special day.

Tammy Heiler, Accounting Major. “I am extremely excited and overwhelmed. I am the first one to graduate in my family. And I just launched my own handmade jewelry business. It’s called Not Perfection by Tammy Heiler.”

William Gordon Welch, Liberal Arts Major. “I’m super excited. It’s been quite the ride.”

Paulina Santiago and Ernesto Sanchez, Business Majors.

Paulina: “I can’t really explain the feeling. It kind of feels surreal.”

Ernesto: “It feels pretty exciting. I feel like I accomplished something big in my life.”

Cousins JameAna S. Hadden and DiJonay S. Hadden, Biomedical Health Science Majors.

JameAna: “I’m really excited. Me and my cousin are the first college graduates in our family.”

DiJonay: “I am very excited. It’s finally over. It’s been a hard three years.”Michael Grigorean, Criminal Justice/Corrections Major, with his service dog, Linkin. “I’m stoked because I’m First-Gen. I didn’t just go to college right after high school, I went back to school a little later than most.”

Dawn Parker, Liberal Arts/Music. “I’m at a loss for words. I finally made it!”

Vanessa Vazquez, Jallah Musa Trawally, Katharine Stonehill, Biological Science/Health Science.

Vanessa: “It’s very exciting. I’m very happy and grateful to be graduating this year.”

Jallah: ‘I’m so excited, especially because I’m a First-Generation college graduate. It’s a huge achievement for me.”

Katharine: “I’m extremely happy to graduate. It’s been a long journey – especially with Covid and everything.”