SEU's Class of 2026 Ready to Defy the Odds and Shape History

Under a beautifully clear sky, Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) celebrated its 124th Commencement exercises on May 15, 2026, honoring a new class of graduates prepared to lead with purpose, integrity, and unyielding resilience.

Founded in 1899 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, SEU has spent over a century upholding its bold, foundational mission: providing top-tier, transformative higher education with a focus on leadership and service to others. This year's ceremony vibrantly demonstrated that legacy, spotlighting a diverse body of students who overcame immense personal and systemic hurdles to claim their degrees.

The deep spiritual and historical significance of the milestone was celebrated by distinguished guests from across the region, including the Most Reverend Kevin J. Sweeney, Bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, who was in attendance to support and honor the graduating class.

Leading the Future

SEU President Dr. Gary B. Crosby opened the ceremony with a heart full of gratitude, reminding graduates that their education has prepared them for something much larger than individual success.

"Today is not simply about celebrating what you have completed," Dr. Crosby shared. "It is about recognizing what you are now prepared to do... Today, we celebrate your achievement, but even more, we celebrate your potential."

The university's emphasis on holistic development was echoed by the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Monsignor Robert Meyer, who remarked that the Class of 2026 is uniquely "equipped not only with knowledge but with the capacity to think critically, to act ethically, and to serve with purpose."

An "Outrageous" Call to Action

A major highlight of the day was the commencement address delivered by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. Mayor Baraka shares a deep connection with SEU, having pioneered a "Guaranteed Education Program" that provided funding and institutional support for 40 Newark students, many of whom walked across the stage as college graduates.

Baraka brought the crowd to its feet as he asked those specific cohort members to stand, celebrating their victory over the statistical odds stacked against them. Reflecting on his own hard-fought journey — including losing consecutive political races for 16 years before finally winning public office — he challenged the entire graduating class to avoid safe paths and completely reject mediocrity.

Mayor Baraka delivered an inspiring, revolutionary charge to the graduates:

"The path you took, the road that you are on is difficult. It was made difficult on purpose... because what you have to do is so big, so great, so impossible that it needed to be difficult so you can accomplish what God has in store for you," Mayor Baraka urged. "I want you to have this almost unreasonable idea that everything that has ever happened can be changed, and more importantly, that you can change it... Everybody tells you to have realistic goals. They mean have safe ones... I want you to do what they can't do, what they don't dare to do, what they don't have the courage to do."

Control the Controllables

Representing the voice of the students, Student Government Association (SGA) President Kyzier Kelly delivered a deeply personal address. A student-athlete from Jackson, New Jersey, and a member of the men's volleyball team, Kelly spoke candidly about navigating physical, mental, and emotional hurdles throughout his college career.

Kelly left his classmates with a powerful mantra passed down by his high school volleyball coach: "Control the controllables."

"There’s so much in life that we can’t control," Kelly noted. "We can’t control what people think about us. We can’t control unexpected setbacks. We can’t control every outcome. But what we can control is our effort. We can control our attitude. We can control how we respond when things don’t go our way."

He reminded his peers that true leadership isn't validated by a title, but by the positive footprint left on a community. "It's about how you treat people. It's about how you uplift others. It's about how you leave a place better than you found it."

Ready for the Real World

As the ceremony drew to a close, the energy on the front lawn was electric. Armed with the values of charity, ethical leadership, and academic excellence, Saint Elizabeth University’s Class of 2026 proved that they are not just ready to face a complicated world—they possess the unreasonable courage required to reshape it.