The College of New Jersey held its 170th commencement celebration on May 21–22, 2026, with school-specific ceremonies that served as the culmination of the TCNJ experience for the Class of 2026.
The class consisted of 1,954 undergraduate and 369 graduate students, and boasted 244 cum laude (3.60–3.74 GPA) graduates, 240 magna cum laude (3.75–3.89 GPA) graduates, and 220 summa cum laude graduates (3.90–4.00 GPA).
TCNJ President Michael A. Bernstein presided over the ceremonies and praised the class for its perseverance, resilience, and commitment to one another during a period marked by rapid change. In his remarks, he encouraged graduates to lead with empathy, humility, and service as they move into the next chapter of their lives.
“Be that person who helps without being asked, who contributes without first asking what they will receive in return, who lifts someone up when they fall, who strives to be kind and thoughtful no matter the circumstances, who reaches back when they get to the top of the ladder to help the next person up, who understands that when you point a finger at anyone — you will always have three fingers pointing right back at you, who does the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do.”
Bernstein connected that call to service with a broader reminder to stay grounded in humanity and relationships in an increasingly fast-moving and performative world.
“The world is full of harmful temptations — and it will no doubt regularly entice you to be — a “brand,” a “disruptor,” a “gamer,” a “slash worker,” a “streamer,” an “influencer,” a “looksmaxxer,” a “mogger.” Whatever. I urge you instead to be a co-worker, a friend, a neighbor, a relative, a loved one. A beneficial presence.”
Across the ceremonies, speakers returned to many of the same themes, encouraging graduates to move forward with confidence while remaining connected to their values and to the people around them.
Sunita Alhawat, dean of the School of Business, encouraged graduates to trust in the skills and resilience they have already developed during their time at TCNJ.
“The world needs you to show up,” she said. “To be curious. To be honest. To stay grounded in your values even when the ground around you is moving. You are more prepared than you think. You’ve built the habits, the judgment, and the resilience to navigate what comes next. And you’ll be more than okay. Go forward with confidence. Change your circumstances, and when you can, help someone else change theirs.”
Student speakers also challenged their classmates to think about the impact they hope to make in their communities and in the lives of others.
Karina Yermachenkova ’26, a finance major, urged graduates to embrace the connections and responsibilities that come with their newfound independence.
“Write a story that is a lifeline for people you have never met and may never meet. This is not a story of polarization or politics,” she said. “It is a story of how we show up for one another. While we gain this new sense of independence, let us write a story that uplifts others, no matter how small. Go out there. Continue your education or start a new job. Travel the world or stay local. Volunteer or donate. Go and write your magnificent story.”
That spirit of openness and possibility continued in remarks from Brielle Zemer ’26, a mechanical engineering major, who reminded classmates that success is rarely linear.
“To those of us who don’t know where we might be headed next, and even those who do: give yourself permission to change. Remember there is always more time, and there is always another opportunity to begin again. You’re not behind. You’re not lost. You’re becoming. And if we’ve learned anything here, it’s that growth happens in the trying.”
The archived webcasts of all eight commencement ceremonies can be found at the official TCNJ Commencement website. The college also has posted a photo gallery on its official Facebook page.