New Jersey Institute of Technology served up waves of fanfare as its advanced degree graduates walked across the stage in the Wellness and Events Center in three commencement ceremonies on May 16. The 2023 class, composed of more than 1,300 graduates, is the largest in five years and reflects the larger growth and upward trajectory of the institution.

President Teik C. Lim, in his first commencement leading NJIT, praised the Class of 2023’s resilience.

“You persevered through challenging and unprecedented circumstances that included a global pandemic, social unrest, and much more,” said Lim. “You crossed the Himalayas to get here, but you made it.”

“Appreciate that you have not accomplished anything alone. Reflect upon the help you received from others throughout your journey, and make it a priority to thank those who have supported your efforts and encouraged your aspirations,” Lim added. 

Watch the 10 a.m. commencement ceremony recognizing master’s students from Newark College of Engineering and Martin Tuchman School of Management

Dean Moshe Kam of Newark College of Engineering (NCE) recognized the graduates' educational achievements, noting that about 20% of the U.S. population holds a bachelor’s level degree of some kind, but only 9% hold a master’s.

“We, your teachers and educators, and society at large, will be looking to you now for the inventions, innovations, large entrepreneurial projects, and life changing ventures that you are capable of introducing,” he said. “We helped by giving you the keys to change society for the better.”

Keynote speaker, Mansoor Ahsan, a well-recognized civil engineer who has pioneered design and construction techniques to solve complex challenges, highlighted that this year’s graduates are “the heroes of our time.” 

“It is critical to embrace challenges, for it is through these trials that we grow, we learn, and we develop the skills necessary to achieve greatness,” said Ahsan. “As trained professionals, you are uniquely equipped to navigate this journey.”

Dean Oya Tukel of MTSM emphasized the importance of family and support, and encouraged the recent graduates to take time during the ceremony to acknowledge family and friends, and share the congratulations on this milestone. 

“While this day and this ceremony focuses on our graduates, we want to be sure to recognize and express gratitude for the tremendous support these students have received from their loved ones — those who provided emotional, intellectual and even financial support to enable them to reach this point,” said Tukel. 

Watch the 1:30 p.m. commencement ceremony recognizing master’s students from the College of Science and Liberal Arts (CSLA), Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD) and Ying Wu College of Computing (YWCC)

Asha Saxena, an entrepreneur known for founding the Women Leaders in Data and AI organization and author of book “The AI Factor - How to Apply Artificial Intelligence and Use Big Data to Grow Your Business Exponentially,” told the master's and doctoral graduates of Ying Wu College of Computing, Hillier College of Architecture and Design and the College of Science and Liberal Arts that they've got a career edge by having spent time in the diversity of the Garden State.

Saxena cited Einstein and Tesla as technologists who immigrated into the U.S. and did their work in New Jersey. She also noted Israeli immigrant Judea Pearl, who graduated from NCE with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1961 and won a Turing Award for his work on AI and Bayesian networks. (Computing college namesake Ying Wu, from China, received an MSEE here in 1988.) 

Saxena said perseverance, adding value, and building a reputation are the top three tools in her career. And so, she said, “As you start your professional journey, invest in networking, learn to be a giver rather than a taker, learn to add value and remember perseverance will pay off.”

Nada Boules, of Bayonne, earned a master's in architecture while working full-time at Manhattan-based TPG Architecture. It’s her second Highlander degree after a bachelor’s in interior design in 2020.

“I have great opportunities now,” said Boules, after her ceremony, noting that her classmates were her strongest asset and David Brothers was her best professor. "We went through the same struggles, the same sleep deprivation.”

Watch the 5 p.m. commencement ceremony recognizing Ph.D. students

Speakers at the Ph.D. ceremony emphasized the value of perseverance, critical thinking, communication, listening and mentors.

The mentors of student speaker Audrey Biondi Kellogg included Kevin Belfield, dean of NJIT’s College of Science and Liberal Arts, her hard-working and resilient parents and Associate Professor Brooke Flammang, her principal investigator. Collectively, they helped her find her footing, learn from mistakes and adapt in her pursuit of a doctorate in biology. And now she’s embarking on becoming a research scientist for the U.S. Navy.

Keynote speaker Vincent DeCaprio, who holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from NJIT and a Ph.D. in bioengineering from New York University, told graduates that the process of pursuing a doctorate gives them the soft skills they need to become a leader, and perhaps a CEO. In short, the journey is as important to the outcome and skills like listening are critical to leading others, according to DeCaprio, former president and CEO of Vyteris, a drug delivery technology company.

“I have learned that everyone has a story that may be of value to you, no matter who they are or what position they hold,” said DeCaprio, who now works as a consultant. “Be a good listener. Use your breadth of knowledge to explore common ground with these individuals, make friends, develop true intellectual relationships.

“Encourage them to open up to you about how they see you, your work and the world,” DeCaprio added. “As you know by going through this Ph.D. experience at NJIT, you did not do it alone. Family, friends, teachers, lab techs, maintenance people and administrative staff all had a role to play in your success. And this will continue to be the case for your entire career.”

During the ceremony, Ph.D. recipient Ravi Teja Velpula was awarded a prize for his distinguished scholarship and research in electrical and computer engineering. The Hashimoto Prize is part of an endowment that recognizes the generosity and vision of Dr. Kazuo Hashimoto, who is known for more than 1,000 patents and applications related to the invention of the telephone answering machine and other devices in electronics and telecommunications.