Leave it to an award-winning and nationally acclaimed poet to find just the right words.
When Kean University celebrated the Class of 2026 last week, conferring nearly 3,600
undergraduate and graduate degrees, Amanda Gorman offered words of inspiration.
“Greatness comes not from luck, but luck meeting labor,” Gorman said. “In this way, our
dreams and our hopes are not the confirmation of possibility; they are the fundamental
creation of it.”
Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, rose to international acclaim after
reciting her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 presidential inauguration. Her words
struck purpose at the Prudential Center before thousands of family members, faculty,
alumni and supporters.
“I’m a first-generation student, and it feels like I’m beginning a new journey,” Jada
Hernandez said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds for me.”
Kean University President Lamont Repollet praised the Class of 2026 for the resilience
and determination shown throughout their time at Kean.
“Your transformation happened gradually, through the experiences that stretched you
and the choices that strengthened you,” he said. “Years from now, you may look back
on this moment as a turning point.
“I hope you also recognize that the real transformation was happening all along, in ways
you could not always see.”
Repollet also spoke about his own experience as a first-generation college graduate
and encouraged graduates not to accept limitations placed on them by others.
“Transformation does not happen because life is easy,” he said. “It happens because
something inside you refuses to quit. For many of you, that refusal became fire. The
refusal to be defined by one difficult semester, one closed door, or one person’s limited
imagination of what your life could become.”
This year marks the final commencement season for Kean before it merges with New
Jersey City University this summer. Kean also recognized students receiving doctoral
degrees during its second annual Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on May 14.
Kean also conferred honorary degrees upon three distinguished individuals:
Francis Walsh III: Chairman and CEO of NRS Inc., received an honorary Doctorate of
Business Administration. Walsh, a leader in logistics, transportation and supply chain
management, guides a third-generation family business with a legacy spanning more
than 70 years.
Wang Beijiao ’03: Chairman emeritus of Wenzhou-Kean University’s Board of
Directors, he received an honorary Doctorate of Education.
Victor Richel: Chair of the Board of Trustees of Trinitas Health and Trinitas Regional
Medical Center, he received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Richel has
served on the Board of Trustees at Union College of Union County for over 40 years.
