{"id":227380,"date":"2026-01-13T15:08:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T20:08:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=227380"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:19:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T15:19:53","slug":"montclair-state-university-honors-graduates-at-2026-winter-commencement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/01\/13\/montclair-state-university-honors-graduates-at-2026-winter-commencement\/","title":{"rendered":"星空无限传媒 University Honors Graduates at 2026 Winter Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>星空无限传媒 University celebrated its 2026 Winter Commencement on Tuesday, January 13 at Prudential Center in Newark, recognizing 2,291 graduates whose achievements reflect resilience, purpose and a shared commitment to serving the common good.<\/p>\n<p>Students from 29 states and five countries earned doctoral, master\u2019s and bachelor\u2019s degrees from Montclair\u2019s 14 colleges and schools, marking a milestone for one of New Jersey\u2019s leading public-serving research universities. The ceremony highlighted Montclair\u2019s ongoing mission to expand access to higher education and empower diverse communities through knowledge.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Video: 星空无限传媒 University 2026 Commencement Ceremony\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/x6D23thSyl8?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen style=\"width: 500px; height: 281px; border: 0px solid #000;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Many graduates, President Jonathan Koppell noted, faced doubts along the way. Some wondered if they would ever reach graduation day, while others paused their studies and returned to school after years away \u2013 a testament to their resilience and determination.<\/p>\n<p>Reflecting on perseverance and unity, Koppell acknowledged the challenges of division and fear that often shape the world beyond campus. Building community, he said, requires something stronger.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P2011397.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P2011397.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"A wide view of the Prudential Center in Newark shows the arena filled with guests and rows of graduates in red and black gowns on the floor, as the commencement ceremony unfolds beneath large video screens hanging from the ceiling.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Family and friends fill Prudential Center in Newark as 星空无限传媒 University recognizes 2,291 graduates at its Winter Commencement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIt is easy to divide people on the basis of fear,\u201d Koppell said. \u201cBut hope, love and optimism are what bring us together \u2013 and what got us here today.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Inspiring Stories of Perseverance and Purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The ceremony underscored the power of education to uplift families, strengthen communities and drive positive change \u2013 examples of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/president\/mission-statement\/\">Montclair\u2019s mission<\/a> in action.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P1132373A.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P1132373A.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Two undergraduate students in black gowns and caps share a celebratory hug in the middle of the commencement floor.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Undergraduate students share a hug on the arena floor during a day celebrating their achievements.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Among those whose journeys captured that spirit was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/01\/12\/the-single-mom-of-mr-corys-cookies-fame-overcomes-adversity-and-rises-to-the-graduation-stage\/\">Cookie Howard<\/a>, whose walk across the Prudential Center stage marked a decades-long path from foster care and homelessness to business ownership and a bachelor\u2019s degree in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/ba-family-science-and-human-development\/\">Family Science and Human Development<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Graduate student speaker Rutvi Jani, who earned a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/ms-biology\/\">Master of Science in Biology<\/a>, reflected on persistence and self-growth: \u201cMontclair taught me that growth doesn\u2019t happen in applause or success. It happens quietly when you wake up after failure and try again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Undergraduate speaker <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/01\/09\/from-emt-to-army-national-guard-first-gen-montclair-graduate-to-speak-at-winter-commencement\/\">Brianna Correa<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/psychology\/\">Psychology<\/a> major, balanced her studies with serving as both an EMT and a member of the New Jersey Army National Guard. \u201cStrength doesn\u2019t always look loud,\u201d she said. \u201cSometimes it looks like choosing not to quit.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Bloomfield College Graduates Join the Celebration<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P1133293.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P1133293.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"A Bloomfield College of 星空无限传媒 University graduate in a black gown and cap, wearing a colorful stole, walks down the aisle blowing a kiss amid rows of fellow graduates in red and black gowns.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A new graduate of Bloomfield College of 星空无限传媒 University blows a celebratory kiss toward the crowd.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The ceremony also honored graduates from the integrated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomfield.edu\/\">Bloomfield College of 星空无限传媒 University<\/a>, a milestone merger that expands educational access. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/bs-accounting\/\">Accounting<\/a> major<a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/01\/12\/she-almost-joined-the-navy-then-she-built-a-life-of-leadership-and-service-at-bloomfield-college\/\"> Lisha Brito<\/a> plans to launch a business and nonprofit promoting financial literacy among minorities and youth leaving foster care. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/bs-biology-bloomfield\/\">Biology<\/a> graduate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/01\/12\/finding-her-confidence-how-one-shy-bloomfield-graduate-grew-into-a-mentor-for-others\/\">Nicole Yator<\/a>, once a shy student, found confidence through the EOF Scholars Program and is now dedicated to mentoring future students.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou have reached this day having overcome challenges,\u201d Koppell said. \u201cYou did not accept that greater things were not possible because they were hard to achieve. You did not accept the idea that your own success required the diminishment of someone else. So do not accept that the world cannot be made a better place. It can, and I believe you are the key to making it so.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Joy, Pride and a Shared Mission<\/h2>\n<p>Koppell told graduates they would carry fresh ideas, talent and optimism into a world that urgently needs their energy and leadership. \u201cYou will go out and prove that there are endless opportunities to make a difference in this world,\u201d Koppell said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P2011872.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/P2011872.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Montclair President Jonathan Koppell, wearing academic regalia, stands at the podium and raises his cellphone to take a selfie with a sea of graduates filling the arena behind him.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Montclair President Jonathan Koppell, wearing academic regalia, stands at the podium and raises his cellphone to take a selfie with a sea of graduates filling the arena behind him.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Confetti fell in celebration as graduates formally joined the ranks of Montclair alumni. Student Government President Leila Jones encouraged classmates to carry the University\u2019s values forward: \u201cYou are standing here because you honored your journey, even on the days it felt too heavy. When doubt visits \u2013 and it will \u2013 return to this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Photos by Mike Peters and John J. LaRosa<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Celebrate With Us<\/h2>\n<p>Watch the replay on YouTube <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/x6D23thSyl8\">in English<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/VbfI350hAWg\">en Espa\u00f1ol<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class='inset lt-gray'>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/montclairstateuniversity.smugmug.com\/2026\/2026-Winter-Commencement\/n-qFnmHM\/011326-Winter-Commencement\">See More Photos in our SmugMug Gallery<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"prpl-photo-gallery\"><p class=\"a11y-label\">Click on an image below to enlarge photo.<\/p><div class=\"previous-button\"><a href=\"javascript: ;\">Previous<\/a><\/div><div class=\"next-button\"><a href=\"javascript: ;\">Next<\/a><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><div class=\"gallery-item\"><div class=\"photo-holder\" style=\"background-image: url(data:image\/jpeg;base64,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);\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2026\/01\/JL012421.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/jpeg;base64,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\" alt=\"Rocky the Red Hawk and Deacon the Bear mascots, dressed in graduation caps and gowns, walk down an aisle of empty seats, high-fiving and pointing as graduates in red gowns follow behind them.\"\/><\/div><div class='caption'><\/div><div class='close-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Close<\/a><\/div><div class='open-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Zoom In<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"gallery-item\"><div class=\"photo-holder\" style=\"background-image: 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alt=\"Four undergraduate students in black gowns and caps sit together in a row, smiling and laughing, with one student playfully pointing at a classmate.\"\/><\/div><div class='caption'><\/div><div class='close-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Close<\/a><\/div><div class='open-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Zoom In<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"gallery-item\"><div class=\"photo-holder\" style=\"background-image: 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alt=\"An undergraduate in a black gown and cap walks down the aisle holding her diploma cover while wearing oversized yellow mascot feet, continuing the tradition in which students who served as the college mascot reveal themselves at graduation.\"\/><\/div><div class='caption'><\/div><div class='close-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Close<\/a><\/div><div class='open-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Zoom In<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<li><div class=\"gallery-item\"><div class=\"photo-holder\" style=\"background-image: 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alt=\"A smiling undergraduate in a black gown and cap walks between rows of seated classmates, her bright red hair and colorful beaded necklace standing out.\"\/><\/div><div class='caption'><\/div><div class='close-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Close<\/a><\/div><div class='open-button'><a href="javascript: ;">Zoom In<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><!-- cached result --><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Ready to start your Montclair journey?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Accepted Students: Secure your spot and register to attend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/accepted-student-day\/\">Accepted Student Day.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Prospective Students: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/visit-us\/\">Visit campus<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/admissions\/visit-us\/\">apply<\/a> to 星空无限传媒 University.<\/li>\n<li>Journalists: Contact Montclair\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/university-communications\/media-relations\/\">Media Relations<\/a> for photographs or to schedule an interview with a graduating student.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/\/ Output tags as a list for Google Analytics custom dimension\nwindow.MSU_TagList = [];\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ceremony celebrates diversity, resilience and education\u2019s power to change lives<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":434,"featured_media":227394,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-227380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/434"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=227380"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227380\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":227600,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/227380\/revisions\/227600"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/227394"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=227380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=227380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=227380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}