Thomas Edison State University will celebrate its 46th annual Commencement, on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, N.J.
The University’s class of 2018 includes 2,464 graduates, approximately 475 of whom plan to attend the ceremony. The graduates attending come from 36 U.S. states including California and Hawaii as well as Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As part of this year’s ceremony, the university will inaugurate its fourth president, Dr. Merodie A. Hancock, who assumed office in March.
Hancock is a nationally recognized leader in the administration and delivery of innovative education programs for adult students. Access, success and completion are the mainstays of Hancock's educational philosophy. Through decades of meaningful interaction with nontraditional learners, she says she knows empirically that education is the nexus through which one's capability is harnessed for positive personal and professional growth and societal impact. She has dedicated her career to serving a multitude of underrepresented populations, including veterans and active-duty military members.
Mercer County, N.J., residents who will attend the ceremony include: Nicole Bailey, Hamilton, Bachelor of Arts – product manager with Educational Testing Service; Christina Berdecia, Trenton, Associate in Arts in Human Services – judicial assistant with state of New Jersey; Sabrina Brown, Hamilton, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – real estate agent with Keller Williams Real Estate; Stephanie Cash, Hamilton, Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN with Capital Health; Nancy Distelcamp, Hightstown, Bachelor of Science in Nursing – injury prevention coordinator (Trauma Department) with Capital Health; Ana Gatson, Hamilton, Master of Science in Management – officer strength manager with the New Jersey Army National Guard; and Ashley Gayle, Ewing, Master of Business Administration – contracting officer with the Department of Defense (DOD) United States Navy.
The university has awarded approximately 61,750 degrees to more than 56,230 graduates since it began providing flexible, high-quality, collegiate learning opportunities for self-directed adults in 1972.
Toni M. Terry, BA