Rutgers University—Newark

❤️ Today, we recognize four extraordinary women who retired after dedicating a combined 142 years of service to Rutgers University–Newark and the generations of students and families who have called this place home.

💐 Sherlene Robinson, Cashiering/Payment Center — 45 years

💐 Linda Holman-Rutherford, Cashiering/Payment Center — 44 years

💐 Maria Correia, Office of Financial Aid — 36 years

💐 Sylvia Hall, Office of Financial Aid — 17 years

For decades, these women have been among the first faces students and families turned to for help, guidance, and reassurance. They have witnessed our campus evolve year after year and generation after generation, and through it all, they remained steadfast in their commitment to serving others with care, patience, and compassion.

Some have devoted more than half their lives to our institution and their impact can be seen in the thousands of students whose journeys were made a little easier because they were here.

💌 To Sherlene, Linda, Maria, and Sylvia, thank you endlessly. On behalf of the countless students, families, and colleagues you have supported over the years, thank you for your service, your kindness, and the legacy you leave behind.

❤️⚖️ Honoring a trailblazer, preserving a legacy.

This week, Rutgers Law School dedicated Elizabeth Blume-Silverstein Plaza in honor of one of New Jersey's pioneering attorneys. A member of the Class of 1911, Blume-Silverstein built a legal career that spanned nearly six decades and broke barriers for generations of women in law.

Her legacy continues today thanks to the generosity of her son, Nathan Silverstein, RLaw '64, who has devoted recent years to honoring his parents through philanthropy. His transformative gift established the Elizabeth Blume-Silverstein Endowment, supporting Rutgers Law students through clinical education, public interest work, and other pioneering initiatives, while also helping create a lasting tribute to his mother on the Rutgers–Newark campus.

🎙️ “Naming a central thoroughfare on the Rutgers-Newark campus for a graduate of the class of 1911 is historically appropriate," said Provost Jeffrey Robinson. "That the graduate is a woman, who was the first female lawyer in Essex County to practice law on the same basis as male attorneys by opening a law office, employing staff, and trying cases, even death penalty cases before juries, is even more appropriate.”

🔗 Read more about the legacy of Blume-Silverstein here: https://law.rutgers.edu/news/plaza-and-portrait-dedication

🎉🎓 Congratulations to the 241 graduates of Rutgers Law School–Newark!

Your hard work has brought you to this milestone, but your impact is only beginning. May you carry your knowledge forward with purpose, humility, compassion, and integrity ❤️🤍

🎓 A first for Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson. A milestone for Rutgers–Newark.

This year, Chancellor Smith-Jackson presided over her first Commencement ceremony, celebrating 2,849 graduates during our 80th Commencement and the graduation of our 80th class of 🦊❤️

“I have been looking forward to this moment since the day I arrived,” she told graduates. “Because nothing tells the story of a university better than the faces of its graduating class.”

🎉 As Rutgers–Newark continues its year-long 80th anniversary celebration, Chancellor Smith-Jackson reflected on the deep connection between Rutgers–Newark and the city it calls home.

“The City of Newark is not just a location on a map. It is the living context of everything we do," she said. "As an anchor institution, we continuously listen to, learn from and partner with the city and its residents on the issues that matter most.”

Here's to 80 years of access, opportunity, impact and community, and to the Class of 2026, who now become part of that legacy.

🔗 Read more about our 80th commencement ceremony here: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/news/rutgers-newark-graduates-receive-life-lessons-ms-nows-jonathan-capehart

From prison to a college degree.

Years after earning her GED, Miseka Diggs found a new love: education.

Through Rutgers–Newark’s NJ-STEP program, which helps incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students earn college degrees, she began rebuilding her future.

Last week, at 49, the Rutgers–Newark Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC) scholar graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Her success has opened doors to opportunities at Ivy League institutions, but she’s chosen to continue her journey right here at RU–N, where she’ll pursue her Master of Social Work.

“I gained a family of people who want to see me win. I gained a sense of belonging and I gained a lot of love and guidance and a lot of knowledge,” she said. “They believed in me when no one else did. I’m staying right here at Rutgers.”

🔗 Read Miseka’s full story at the link in our bio.

🎉 Congratulations to the nearly 500 graduates who earned their graduate business degrees from Rutgers Business School

This year’s keynote speaker was Rutgers MBA alumna Nicolle Pangis, vice president of advertising at Netflix and former CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, who reminded graduates that “there are no shortcuts to a good reputation.” She also spoke about leading with authenticity, embracing what makes you different, and proving yourself through hard work, results, and resilience.

🎓 From Executive, Part-Time, and Full-Time MBA programs to specialized master’s degrees in fields like digital marketing and healthcare analytics and intelligence, Rutgers Business School graduates are entering the workforce prepared to lead in the AI era and beyond.

“You’re one of the first classes to graduate in the AI Era,” said Dr. Lei Lei, Dean of Rutgers Business School. “You have learned not to fear change, but to adapt to it."

Congratulations, Rutgers Class of 2026!!

🔗 Read more about the ceremony here: https://www.business.rutgers.edu/news/commencement-celebrates-nearly-500-students-completing-graduate-business-degrees

“Everything we do in life is an audition for something else. We just don’t know what for yet.”

Thank you and congratulations to Jonathan Capehart, a Newark native, Pulitzer Prize winner, and co-anchor of MS NOW’s The Weekend, for delivering an inspiring commencement address to the Rutgers–Newark Class of 2026 and receiving an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters

Capehart encouraged graduates to be bold, believe in themselves, take risks, and go where their talents are valued.

📹 Watch Dr. Capehart’s full commencement speech on our YouTube channel: https://f.mtr.cool/tivheeqkxw