Students
Class of 2009: Meet 11 graduates ready to embrace the future
More than 11,000 students received degrees from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, during universitywide commencement and separate convocation ceremonies in May. This year’s class faces a struggling economy and a challenging job market, but many graduates said they are ready for the challenge. Among the graduates are exceptional people who have made their marks at the university and have extraordinary potential going forward. They include a math and computer science student who battled cancer while getting his degree, a former Newark police officer who left the force to pursue a degree in social work, and a young woman who overcame dyslexia to pursue a master’s degree in education.
Dymir Arthur, bachelor's degree, history and political science
Rutgers College
It's hard to attach a label to Dymir Arthur: While at Rutgers, the Camden native has been a student government leader, social activist, mentor, lobbyist, and writer. Now he plans to work as a teacher with Teach for America, which benefits children in low-income communities. Eventually Arthur plans to enter law school and run for public office.
Laura Boss, master's degree, elementary and early childhood education
Graduate School of Education
Struggling with dyslexia, Laura Boss was frequently frustrated with school as a child. As she got older, Boss worked with a few patient teachers who helped her see her potential. Now she plans to become a teacher to support and motivate her own students.
Lamar Carter, bachelor's degree, communication
Rutgers College/School of Communication, Information and Library Studies
After losing his mother to AIDS when he was 2, Lamar Carter has come a long way. In 2004, he entered Rutgers with the support of the Educational Opportunity Fund, a program for educationally and economically disadvantaged students. He says his challenges have made him a stronger person.
Carissa Conroy, bachelor's degree, exercise science and sports studies
Livingston College
Brittanny Loisel, bachelor's degree, finance
Douglass College
Dealing with injuries is part of being an athlete, but Carissa Conroy and
Brittanny Loisel certainly had more than their fair share on the softball
team.
Amytza Maskati, bachelor's degree, journalism and media studies and spanish
Douglass College/School of Communication, Information and Library Studies
After landing her dream internship at NBC Studios in New York City, Amytza Maskati had a decision to make: pursue the tough road of broadcast journalism or go down another path. Maskati decided to look at other options but hasn't ruled out returning to journalism at some point.
Jeri McQueen, bachelor's degree, social work
University College–Newark
As a police officer in Newark,
Jeri McQueen got a firsthand look at the struggles people face in urban
communities. She left the force to pursue a degree in social work in
hopes of bringing a little sunshine into people's lives. The single mother also hopes her hard work will be an example to her 16-year-old daughter.
Javier Rosa, bachelor's degree, computer science and math
University College–New Brunswick
Javier Rosa, 25, refused to stop working when he learned that he had testicular cancer during his junior year. With strong support from faculty, Rosa missed few classes and was accepted to a prestigious Ph.D. program at the University of California, Berkley.
Alicia Schatteman, doctorateRutgers–Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration
August Schneeberg, bachelor's degree, labor studies and employment relations
School of Management
and Labor Relations
As a child, August Schneeberg heard from his father about labor issues and the importance of unions for working people. He brought those values to Rutgers, where he engaged in pro-union activism while working toward his degree. He sees union activism as a growth industry.
Jennifer Wilson, bachelor's degree, psychology
Camden College of Arts and Sciences
As a U.S. Air Force reservist with a husband on active duty, Jennifer Wilson knows fitness is important. To better understand motivations for exercise, she surveyed 130 active duty air force members and found that individuals were more likely to exercise frequently when they were motivated by their health, appearance, or mood – not military obligations.