Passaic Today

On Monday, May 13, Montclair State University's Class of 2024 celebrated their graduation at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This event was particularly significant as many of the undergraduates had their high school graduations disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic four years prior.

The graduating class included several first-generation college students, among them the Povolo quintuplets – Victoria, Ludovico, Ashley, Michael and Marcus – who made New Jersey history by graduating from the same college simultaneously. “Being first gen and graduating together for us is definitely a monumental thing,” said Ashley Povolo. “There’s an immense amount of pride.”

The university held two commencement exercises to celebrate approximately 3,648 graduates from its 13 colleges and schools. The graduates hailed from 26 states and eight countries with over 860 earning advanced degrees. University President Jonathan Koppell encouraged the graduates to remain optimistic about their potential to effect change in the world and cautioned against vilifying or dehumanizing those with differing views.

Koppell acknowledged the Povolo quintuplets' parents Paolo and Silvia during his speech. Silvia recently joined Montclair as part of the custodial services team. The Povolos’ guests included volunteers who helped care for the quintuplets after they were born on July 4, 2002.

The university’s commitment to making a positive impact was emphasized throughout both ceremonies. Student leaders like Mariana Luna-Martinez, a Biology graduate who contributed numerous hours of community service through the Bonner Leader Program, were recognized for their efforts.

Dawn Meza Soufleris, Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life, acknowledged students who worked full or part time; those for whom English is not their first language; those who overcame medical or mental health challenges; veterans; active duty military personnel; reservists; members of the National Guard and public safety officers. Many stood to be recognized as the first in their families to graduate from college.

First-generation students Yhimara Sarango and Emily Vasquez, who earned degrees in Family Science and Human Development, wore personalized stoles designed to acknowledge their achievements as first-generation graduates.

The afternoon’s student speaker Lanaye Kemp, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy, shared her personal story of overcoming tendonitis, which had threatened her ability to play instruments.

Iliana Woodhull, 41, who earned a degree in Family Science and Human Development, overcame years of trauma to achieve her American and academic dreams. “My mother is here, my family. Everyone in Mexico is watching [the livestream] as well. I’m holding back tears, I’m so honored. After all that has happened to me, this is huge.”

Rosalyn Coppola, a 72-year-old grandmother, completed her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies through the University’s Degree Completion Program 53 years after she first began taking college classes.

The ceremony was recorded and can be viewed on the University’s YouTube channel.