Fairleigh Dickinson students celebrate graduation

EAST RUTHERFORD – A little rain couldn't stop thousands of Fairleigh Dickinson University students from graduating Tuesday at Met Life Stadium.

More than 3,000 students packed the field, dressed in cap, gown, and rain ponchos for Fairleigh Dickinson's 72nd Commencement ceremony, the first held at Met Life.

Students from 49 countries and 37 states received degrees, including 76-year-old Barbara Liggett, a Madison grandmother who graduated with her bachelor's in individualized studies with a concentration in sociology.

Liggett attended Fairleigh Dickinson through the Florham Institute for Lifelong Learning program, which offers non-credit classes to senior citizens and allows them to take for-credit classes at a significant discount.

Liggett, a Madison resident for 47 years, worked in special education for the Harding Township Board of Education and earned her associate's degree from County College of Morris in 1992.

Liggetts' family was one of many in attendance to cheer the graduates on.

The student Pinnacle Award winner from the Florham campus was Christopher Trautman, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's in English language and literature.

"Today is the day that all our stories converge, whether you're a Knight or a Devil," Trautman said, referencing the mascots of Fairleigh's Metropolitan and Florham campuses.

The Pinnacle Awards are the highest university honor a student at Fairleigh Dickinson can receive, given to one student from each campus who demonstrates academic excellence, public service, and commitment to Fairleigh Dickinson.

New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson delivered the commencement address. A Super Bowl champion, Carson said being a first generation college graduate eclipsed any athletic achievement.

Carson gave the graduating class some thoughts to live by, including living life to the fullest, treating everyone with respect, and striving to "be all you can be."

Carson, American University Washington College of Law dean Claudio Grossman, and Angeliki Frangou, a Class of '86 alum and CEO of Navios Maritime Holdings, all received honorary degrees.

The year's five most popular undergraduate majors were psychology, nursing, communication, accounting, and criminal justice. The top five graduate degrees were computer science, teaching, accounting, business administration, and public administration.

The ceremony ended with Carson, dumping a Gatorade bucket of confetti on Fairleigh Dickinson President Sheldon Drucker's head. Carson started the tradition of dumping a bucket of Gatorade on a victorious coach during his tenure under Coach Bill Parcells.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com