Mak, Thony Graduate in Today's Centenary College Commencement

Warren students Mona Mak and Sarah Thony were slated to be among Centenary College's graduates at its 137th January Commencement today at the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center located on the College's campus in Hackettstown.

Both will graduate with Bachelor of Science degrees.

The keynote speaker, Rochelle Hendricks, acting Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Jersey, will address a graduating class of 264 students.

Hendricks was named acting Secretary of Higher Education for the State of New Jersey in May 2011. Hendricks recently served as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education, provided critical leadership in the search for the Newark Superintendent of Public Schools and worked closely with interim Superintendent Deborah Terrell during the transition period. During that time, she was also instrumental in helping the Governor's education reform plans, including the creation and appointment of the Educator Effectiveness Task Force.

An additional honorary degree will be awarded to Robert K. Gratz, who has served as Superintendent of Schools for the Hackettstown Public Schools since 2005, the capstone in a career dedicated to education in New Jersey. During that time, he forged outstanding ties with the community, including a strong working relationship with Centenary College. One of the highlights of that relationship is the Hackettstown High School Scholarship, a four-year award to a graduating senior that funds his or her entire Centenary tuition.

"I am so pleased that we are able to honor these individuals in this way," says Dr. Barbara-Jayne Lewthwaite, Centenary College President. "Also, I would like to congratulate our graduates for their dedication and hard work and want to welcome them as alumni of this fine institution."

The graduating class will include undergraduate and graduate students from the main campus in Hackettstown and the Centenary College School of Professional Studies learning centers in Parsippany and Edison. Degrees that will be awarded to the 264 graduates participating in the ceremony are as follows: 21 Associate of Arts; 39 Bachelor of Arts; 2 Bachelors of Fine Arts; 82 Bachelor of Science; 33 Master of Arts; and 87 Master of Business Administration. Four of the graduating seniors are from Centenary's School of International Studies.

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary College is an independent, coeducational liberal arts and career studies college distinguished by an accomplished faculty, small class size and diverse student body. Centenary is the only baccalaureate and master degree granting institution in northwest New Jersey.

Centenary College's main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J. with its equestrian facility in Washington Township (Morris County). The Centenary College School of Professional Studies program offers accelerated degree completion programs in Parsippany, with an additional facility in Edison, and at corporate sites throughout New Jersey.