Berkeley College Celebrates 95 Years and Honors More Than 1,300 Graduates at 2026 Commencement Ceremony

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Monday, May 18, 2026

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Photo Captions: Berkeley College celebrated the achievements of more than 1,300 graduates during its 2026 Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

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Continuing a 95-year tradition of student success, Berkeley College honored the next generation of business, healthcare, and community leaders during its 2026 Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. More than 1,300 graduates were recognized during the ceremony.

The graduating class included 86 military and veteran graduates and 319 international students from 34 countries. The average age of graduates completing an undergraduate degree or certificate was 31.5.

"You will become leaders in a world that will continue to evolve - perhaps even more rapidly than over the past 95 years," said Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College. "An important part of your Berkeley College education has been teaching you to be a lifelong learner. Remember that this is not the end of your journey; it is just the beginning."

The graduates join the ranks of 70,000 Berkeley College alumni from around the world.

"Graduates, thank you for being part of the Berkeley College family," said Kevin L. Luing, Board Chairman, Berkeley College. "Continue to believe in yourself and your abilities and be a role model. Be grateful and give back to others and to your community. Congratulations, and be proud."

Photo Captions (L to R): Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College, and Kevin L. Luing, Board Chairman, Berkeley College, deliver remarks during the 2026 Berkeley College Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.

Who are This Year's Berkeley College Graduates?

View the Ceremony: Click here to watch the full Commencement ceremony.

See the Photos: Click here to see photos from the 2026 Berkeley College Commencement ceremony.

Read More: Click here to read more about the 2026 speakers and honorees.

David Chong, former Public Safety Commissioner, White Plains, NY, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Chong began his career with the New York Police Department (NYPD) and helped rescue survivors on September 11, 2001. He has served as an adjunct professor at several colleges and universities, including Berkeley College.

"In 95 years, Berkeley College has produced so many students who have gone on to extraordinary careers," Chong said. "With your achievements today, go forward, make change for the better - for yourselves and for the people in this audience. Proudly make change for society. … Remember, today is the first day of the rest of your lives."

Photo Captions: David Chong, former Public Safety Commissioner, White Plains, NY, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree during the 2026 Berkeley College Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Pictured left (L to R) are Kevin L. Luing, Board Chairman, Berkeley College; Chong; and Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College. (Right) Chong delivers his Commencement address.

Lachanee Scott, a 2016 and 2018 Berkeley College graduate, was honored as the 2026 Alumna of the Year.

A proud Jamaican immigrant, Scott describes herself as "first generation everything." She earned a Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 2025 and is an attorney focused on real estate finance in New York City.

"Your work matters, but your character and how you treat people will take you just as far," said Scott, a resident of Secaucus, NJ. "The way you show up and handle challenges and the way you support others builds trust. Trust will open doors you didn't even know existed."

Photo Caption: Lachanee Scott, a 2016 and 2018 Berkeley College graduate, is honored as the 2026 Alumna of the Year during the 2026 Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Pictured (L to R) are Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College; Scott; Byron Hargrove, PhD, Associate Provost, Berkeley College; and Kevin L. Luing, Board Chairman, Berkeley College.

Andre Krzyzanowski of Elizabeth, NJ, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Communications, was selected as the Outstanding Student Award recipient. Krzyzanowski, who emigrated from Brazil with his family in 2012, earned accolades both in academics and athletics as a student-athlete on the Men's Soccer team.

Ida Dale, a Norwegian-born student who earned a Master of Business Administration in Management with a Concentration in Financial Management, was selected as the 2026 Student Speaker. As a student, Dale served as an international student ambassador, supporting campus operations and helping students from around the world transition to life in the United States. She is a resident of Brooklyn, NY, and is deeply committed to advancing financial literacy and empowering women.

"In Norway, we have a word: nestekjærlighet. It means caring for the people around you as you would your own family," Dale said. "As I look around this room, I see people from all over the world, representing different languages, different ages, and different stories. We often hear that diversity is about tolerance, but I believe it is about something much deeper: it is about finding love in our differences, finding love in our community."

Photo Captions: (Left) Andre Krzyzanowski, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Communications, is presented as the Outstanding Student Award recipient during the 2026 Berkeley College Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Right) Ida Dale, a Norwegian-born student who earned a Master of Business Administration in Management with a Concentration in Financial Management, delivers her remarks as the 2026 Student Speaker.

Julia Hutchinson, Chair, Graphic Design, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies, was selected as the 2026 Faculty Speaker. She is a resident of Bloomfield, NJ.

"Life is often stacked with layers of joy, challenge, growth, and change, with moments that are sweet, messy, meaningful, and sometimes a little rough around the edges," Hutchinson said. "You may not know every detail of what lies ahead in your life journey. Just put on your seatbelt and enjoy the ride."

Photo Caption: Julia Hutchinson, Chair, Graphic Design, Berkeley College School of Professional Studies, was selected as the Faculty Speaker for the 2026 Berkeley College Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Pictured (L to R) are Patricia Greer, JD, Provost, Berkeley College, and Hutchinson.

U.S. Congresswomen Nellie Pou and LaMonica McIver, and New York State Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, a Berkeley College alumna, also shared congratulatory videos with the graduates.

During the Commencement introduction, Berkeley College welcomed Sky Scraper, New York City FC's official mascot, making its first appearance at a Commencement ceremony since being introduced in February 2026. Berkeley College is the Official Higher Education Partner: Undergraduate and Graduate Services of New York City FC, collaborating on education and career development initiatives.

Photo Caption: Sky Scraper, New York City FC's official mascot, takes the stage at the 2026 Berkeley College Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Berkeley College is the Official Higher Education Partner: Undergraduate and Graduate Services of New York City FC, collaborating on education and career development initiatives.

About Berkeley College

Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master's, Bachelor's, and Associate's degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.

Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor's Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans for 13 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2026 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.

The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.

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