<strong>Patriots Theater at the War Memorial</strong><br />Seating 1,807 person in a setting of Italian Renaissance Revival splendor, the grand auditorium of the War Memorial, known as Patriots Theater has been a stage for world-class artists and entertainers.
Thomas Edison State University’s 37th Annual Commencement Ceremony takes place Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. in Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, located on Lafayette Street in Trenton, N.J.
Approximately 375 graduates from 26 states and Saudi Arabia are scheduled to attend this year’s Commencement ceremony. For the first time ever, the college is streaming the Commencement ceremony live over the Internet. Graduates and family members who cannot attend the event in person will be able to watch it by visiting /current-students/Commencement.
Sarah Finley, of Gloucester Township, N.J., will deliver the response for graduates. Finley, who had a 4.0 grade point average while earning her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in 2009, is a science teacher at Gloucester City Junior-Senior High School in Gloucester City, N.J., where she also serves a head of the Science Department.
The college will award three honorary degrees during the ceremony.
- Nicholas L. Carnevale, vice president of Carnevale Consulting Corporation, will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Carnevale has served with distinction on the Thomas Edison State University Board of Trustees since 1995 and served as board chair from 2003 – 2005. He also served on the Thomas Edison State University Foundation Board of Directors since 1983, and was chairman of the Foundation Board from 1986 through 1988. Carnevale will be stepping down from the college’s board this year.
- George L. Fricke, former managing director of corporate training at New Jersey Bell, will also receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Fricke has served with distinction on the Thomas Edison State University Board of Trustees since 1989 and served as board chair from 1995 – 1997. He has also represented the college faithfully on the Board of the New Jersey Association of Colleges and Universities and has been a tireless advocate for higher education for adults throughout the State of New Jersey both professionally and as a volunteer.
- Dr. Howard T. Shapiro, president emeritus of Princeton University and the University of Michigan, will also receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Dr. Shapiro served as Princeton University’s 18th president, from 1988 through 2001, and currently holds a faculty appointment as a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University. Prior to joining Princeton University, Dr. Shapiro served at the University of Michigan, where he served on the faculty for 24 years as professor of economics and public policy, and as president (from 1980-1988).
The college will award more than 2,500 degrees in 2009 and has awarded more than 34,000 degrees since it began providing flexible, high-quality, collegiate learning opportunities for self directed adults in 1972. To read the stories of some of this year’s graduates, visit the college’s Newsroom.
Toni M. Terry, BA