Centenary University celebrates 150th commencement, confers degrees on 431 graduates
Honorary Doctor of Laws degree awarded to commencement speaker New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (Warren County) — Centenary University awarded degrees to 431 graduates during its 150th commencement, held in two ceremonies last week to honor undergraduate and graduate students.
Bachelor’s and associate degrees were conferred Saturday, while master’s and doctoral graduates were recognized on Wednesday, May 7.
Among the master’s recipients were 53 students from the second global cohort to earn a Master of Arts in Happiness Studies. The graduates represent 13 states and 13 countries.
During Saturday’s ceremony, Centenary University President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., encouraged graduates to embrace their place in the university’s legacy: “You are joining generations of Centenary alumni—educators, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, equestrians, and civic leaders—who have made their mark on the world. Your presence here today, in this moment, is the continuation of that powerful legacy.”
New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick J. Callahan delivered the commencement address and received an honorary Doctor of Laws. Appointed in 2017, Col. Callahan is the 14th colonel of the state’s leading law enforcement agency. He led Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts and chaired emergency management operations during Super Bowl XLVIII.
In his remarks, Col. Callahan echoed Dr. Caldwell’s message, urging graduates to create a legacy of service: “One day, somebody planted that tree… So, have that long-term perspective, knowing that the acorn you plant today… will someday grow into a huge tree and cast shade.”
Sophia Wayner of Califon Borough, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health, summa cum laude, was named valedictorian of the Class of 2025, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. A competitive dressage rider and member of the inaugural class at Rowan University’s Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, Wayner reflected on overcoming challenges and emphasized kindness: “I discovered that I could build a career upon kindness… please be kind!”
To mark the university’s sesquicentennial commencement, the procession was led by Sadie, a horse from Centenary’s Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC) program. The university is renowned for its academic and competitive equestrian programs. Last weekend, the Centenary IHSA team placed third at nationals, finishing behind Purdue and Sacred Heart Universities—both Division I schools—and ahead of Stanford and USC.
At the university’s recent Academic and Student Leadership Awards Ceremony, Nicolas Radovanic of Long Valley, NJ, was named First-Generation Valedictorian. Ashley Carosella of Flemington, NJ, earned the Red Knot Award, presented to the top transfer student. Graduates recognized for maintaining a 4.0 GPA included Wayner, Radovanic, Madison Maniquis, Anisa Powell, Amanda Stanton, and Carosella.
Faculty honors included Associate Professor of Mathematics Linda Ritchie, named Distinguished Teacher of the Year, and Adjunct Instructor of Composition and Rhetoric MaryAnn Simmons, who received the Joel K. Kobert Adjunct Teacher of the Year Award.
At the May 7 hooding ceremony, Grant Mayes, Ed.D., of Rahway, who earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, received the university’s prestigious Alyce Hunter Dissertation Award.
