Freeman Hrabowski Offers Rutgers Class of 2024 a Hopeful Message in Challenging Times 

The educator and civil rights champion stressed the importance of relationships during his address to the 258th anniversary commencement

Freeman Hrabowski III, educator and civil rights champion, told the Class of 2024 to build a future based on strong character and cherished relationships, taking the advice of a handful of students he met who requested a hopeful message in a challenging time. 

“Watch your thoughts. They become your words,” Hrabowski said during the 258th anniversary commencement for Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Health. “Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. Be the change, Class of 2024.”

Although this year’s graduating class faced unprecedented challenges shaped by a global pandemic and tumultuous world events, the scene was joyful Sunday despite the rain as crowds arrived at SHI Stadium in Piscataway.

“This is a great culmination to everything I have been able to do,” said Ahmir Brown, who is graduating from the School of Arts and Sciences with a degree in biological sciences and minor in psychology. “This is such a big accomplishment.”

It was also a meaningful event for the 2020 high school grad from Deptford who had a nontraditional start to college taking classes remotely due to the pandemic. 

“Having a regular ceremony like this is very special,” he said. “All my family is coming today, and I know that means a lot to them because I didn’t have a regular high school graduation. A lot of us feel like we only got three years, but it was a great experience nonetheless.”

Anthony Bello, who grew up in Hackensack and graduated from Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy as a health administration major, said his years at Rutgers taught him to be flexible.

“When calamity hits, you have to be able to adapt and respond, and Rutgers tried its best to instill that in us,” Bello said. “Being adaptable and versatile is key.”

Before Hrabowski delivered the commencement address, he met with three graduates to seek inspiration for his remarks.

“Their advice to me was say something to give us hope when there are so many challenges, where there’s war in the world, where we’re divided in so many ways,” he said.

Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway bestowed upon Hrabowski an honorary doctor of letters degree.

During commencement, honorary degrees were also given to Rutgers alumnus Jelani Cobb, dean of the Columbia Journalism School and an award-winning author; William Best, chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors and senior vice president at PNC Bank; and Admiral Rachel L. Levine, the 17th assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Born in 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama, Hrabowski had early experience as a civil rights advocate dating to his childhood when he participated in the Children’s Crusade in 1963 at age 12. During an event that altered the course of history, he was one of the many children swept up in a mass arrest at the march. The violent treatment of children during a peaceful protest triggered outrage worldwide.

In Holloway’s address to members of the graduating class, he recognized the unique circumstances the members of the Class of 2024 have faced as they come together to celebrate their milestone achievement.

This graduating class began their college career in a pandemic, attending courses on a computer screen and learning in isolation. The pandemic may be behind us now, Holloway said, but we emerged into a changed world.

“We are still in recovery,” Holloway reminded the graduates. “This is a phrase that we need to ponder in a moment such as this: when we find ourselves buffeted by so many violent storms, by so much disagreement and pain and hurt and loss.”

Holloway used the words of James Baldwin from 60 years ago in Nothing Personal to advise the graduates that love – especially the love for one’s community – can serve as the light to guide us out of bleakness and uncertainty.

“I am not speaking of romantic love, but rather a love that is based in struggle and a commitment to recognize our shared humanity,” Holloway said.

“Rutgers soon-to-be-graduates, do not hide your light,” he said. “Do not let the challenges of the moment extinguish your flame. Celebrate one another, celebrate your friends, celebrate strangers. As you extend your grace to all, be prepared to welcome it in return. You will find that, together, your light will burn ever more brightly and will illuminate the world. This is what you have been taught to do during your education here, and it is my fervent hope that you will carry this lesson with you as you travel into your respective futures.”

An estimated 17,977 graduates received degrees, certificates and diplomas from Rutgers this year: 13,170 from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Health; 3,131 will graduate from Rutgers University-Newark; and 1,676 from Rutgers University-Camden. They include approximately 11,084 baccalaureate degrees, 4,804 master’s degrees, 1,998 doctorates (including professional doctorates), 91 professional certificates. Since its founding in 1766, Rutgers has awarded more than 600,000 academic degrees.

Kassandra Figueroa of Woodbridge admitted to some pre-ceremony jitters while remembering her high school graduation in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. She had a contactless, 6-feet-apart ceremony on the football field without the opportunity to walk to receive her diploma.

“This is my first real graduation,” said Figueroa, who graduated from Rutgers School of Nursing. “I’m scared to walk across that stage because there are so many people watching.”

Charles Frimpong, 27, who emigrated from Ghana in 2019, completed his master's degree this spring from the School of Engineering.

"It's been my dream to come to the United States and then complete my school. It's dream-fulfilling for me," said Frimpong, whose father and younger sister came from Ghana to share the milestone.

Commencement ceremonies at Rutgers will continue throughout the week. The Rutgers University-Camden and Graduate School commencement will be Tuesday, May 14, at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges will deliver the keynote address at that ceremony.

Tariq Trotter, also known as Black Thought, a Philadelphia-raised rapper, singer, actor and cofounder of the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group The Roots, will deliver remarks at Rutgers University-Newark’s commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Prudential Center in Newark. An honorary doctor of fine arts degree will be bestowed on Trotter.

“The Class of 2024 was born in the midst of a terrorist attack, raised in the thick of an economic recession, graduated high school when the world was shut down by a global pandemic and adapted to unique challenges that no other generation has had to face,” Jack Ramirez, president of the Rutgers University Student Assembly for Rutgers-New Brunswick, said during his remarks.

Aarushi Fernandez, who served as vice president of the Rutgers University Student Assembly, recognized the strength and perseverance of this year’s graduates.

“The Class of 2024 is a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit,” said Fernandez, who received her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from the School of Engineering. “Together, we have weathered unprecedented challenges, from the upheaval of a global pandemic to long nights spent in Alexander Library. Each obstacle has only strengthened our resolve, deepened our bonds and reinforced our commitment to excellence.”

Gloria K. Vanderham, chair of the board of directors, Rutgers University Alumni Association, welcomed the graduates into the global community of Rutgers alums.  “No matter what path you follow, no matter where you make your home, you have a lifelong connection to Rutgers and to other Rutgers alumni,” she said.