Monroe University Honors Class of 2026 at Radio City

Amid the iconic stage of Radio City Music Hall, 3,299 students marked a milestone as Monroe University conferred degrees during its 93rd annual commencement. The ceremony celebrated a diverse cohort of graduates, many of whom completed accelerated degree programs in three years or less, signaling a shift in traditional academic timelines.

President Marc Jerome addressed the graduates, noting the transformation from students arriving with individual dreams to professionals prepared to impact their communities. The university held two distinct ceremonies to accommodate the large group, which included 2,023 students receiving their credentials and 1,276 additional candidates cleared to walk ahead of their final summer requirements.

The morning session featured keynote speaker Assemblymember Karines Reyes, while Assemblymember Chantel Jackson addressed the afternoon cohort. The event highlighted the university's global reach, with the Class of 2026 drawing students from 33 states and 103 countries. International representation was particularly strong, with notable contingents from India, China, and several Caribbean nations, including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia.

Academic acceleration defined much of the class profile. By utilizing a three-semester calendar, students regularly earned 45 credits annually, significantly outpacing the national average of 30. This structure allowed many to condense their educational path, completing Bachelor's degrees in three years or Associate degrees in under two. The day concluded with institutional recognition of faculty veterans, including Grand Marshals Loris Crawford and Josephine Cerrudo, who have served the university for four and three decades respectively.