Students from Bulgaria, China Azerbaijan, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Turkey and Vietnam were among the 1,509 graduates who received degrees.
NEWARK - International students from eight countries were among the graduates Friday as Ramapo College held its commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center.
The students from Bulgaria, China Azerbaijan, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Turkey and Vietnam were among the 1,509 graduates who received degrees, according to college spokeswoman Angela Daidone.
Daidone said the graduates included 65 Educational Opportunity Fund students coming from backgrounds disadvantaged by low income but who are highly motivated for success.
Also graduating were 15 United States armed forces veterans and 99 students affiliated with the Office of Specialized Services.
The President's Award of Merit was awarded to alumnus Dr. Joseph Barone, who specializes in reconstructive surgery of genito-urinary tract of infants and children.
Lindsay Hughes of Milford, a communications arts major, was the student speaker.
The commencement speaker was Anthony T. Padovano, who holds doctorates and professorships in theology and literature. Padovano is the author of 29 books, including three award-winning plays, translated into nine languages, said Daidone.
Padovano was the first elected president of CORPUS, a ministerial community. He is a founding member and a professor of literature and philosophy at Ramapo and has served for 30 years as pastor of The Inclusive Community, where Catholics and Protestants worship together.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.