Peter Seligmann Encourages Rutgers Class of 2025 to Listen, Challenge Convention and Protect Freedoms 

The 1972 Rutgers alumnus addressed graduates during the 259th anniversary commencement of Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Health 

Peter Seligmann, an influential leader in environmental conservation, shared a few life lessons with the Class of 2025 that he has followed since graduating from Rutgers more than 50 years ago: learn to listen, challenge conventional wisdom, embrace reciprocity and treasure curiosity.  

“You live in a community; embrace your community,” Seligmann said during the 259th anniversary commencement for Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Health. “Lift others up. This is our nation. The playing field is not level. Help level it. You have the power to engage. Volunteer. Stay curious. Treat others with equity, respect and dignity. Listen carefully to those you disagree with. Ask hard questions. Seek out elders and mentors for counsel. They have made mistakes and learned from them. Be resilient; life throws all of us curveballs.” 

For a graduating class that started college in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunday’s commencement at SHI Stadium in Piscataway was a celebration of four years of schooling with early lessons in resilience.  

“From the beginning of our educational career, we faced a world that was uncertain and unpredictable,” Jack Ramirez, Rutgers University Student Assembly president, said to his fellow graduates during his remarks. “Our class has been at the forefront of much of the change we have seen not just on this campus, not just in this country, but across the globe.” 

The stadium filled with graduates, who each had their own special story to tell. Some were continuing a Rutgers tradition, were among the first in their family to earn a degree and others were sharing the moment with members of their family who traveled from other continents to share in their success. 

Katherine Costa, from East Brunswick, who was graduating with a degree in journalism from the School of Communication and Information, was following in the footsteps of her mother, who also went to Rutgers. 

“I didn’t have a high school graduation, so it is really exciting to be here and be with everyone I studied with during the last couple of years,’’ she said. 

Giovani Rodriguez, from Newark who is graduating with a degree in English from the School of Arts and Sciences, admitted to being nervous as he lined up to ring the Red Lion bell at the stadium. 

“I am an autistic individual, and I do what I do for the autism community just to prove we are more capable than what people give us credit for,’’ he said.  “I am honored to be here today.’’ 

Kayal Aravindan from Edison was sharing the moment with her twin sister, Ani. They had family they rarely see make the trip from southern India for the occasion. 

“It is surreal,’’ said Kayal Aravindan, who graduated with a degree in computer science from the School of Arts and Sciences. “Just studying for so long and you get to finally graduate with friends, it’s really nice. It’s also really nice that it gives my extended family an excuse to come visit us.” 

Since the sisters received their diplomas from different schools, each with its own convocation ceremony, she was happy to be at the stadium Sunday with her twin and her friends. 

“We are glad we have commencement to come together to celebrate us leaving,’’ said Ani Aravindan, who graduated from Rutgers Business School. 

Seligmann, a first-generation U.S. citizen whose parents escaped Nazi Germany before settling in Plainfield, N.J., also encouraged the graduates to defend American democratic values.  

“Protect the freedoms — of thought, of speech, of inquiry — that make our country worth believing in,” said Seligmann, who received an honorary degree from Rutgers in 2003. “This will ensure that our America will continue to be the America that we are proud to call home.  This is the America that ensures academic freedom and academic excellence.”  

Prabhas Moghe, executive vice president of academic affairs and chief academic officer, presided over the ceremony. President Jonathan Holloway was attending his son’s college graduation on the same day. 

“I have heard stories of graduating students in this class who have taken nontraditional paths, struggled to pay their bills, overcome personal obstacles, juggled family and work responsibilities, battled health challenges, suffered family tragedies, and, in some cases, had to step away for a while,” Moghe said. “And yet you have transformed disruption into discovery and setbacks into strength.”  

During commencement, Moghe bestowed an honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon Rajiv Vinnakota, a pioneering social entrepreneur, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree upon Laurie Patton, president of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.  

In his address to members of the graduating class, Seligmann acknowledged that this group faces a different set of challenges. 

“Let’s not pretend it’s an easy time to graduate,” he said. “These are complex, uncertain times – geopolitical conflict, domestic polarization, attacks on universities and economic and environmental uncertainty all weigh heavily on us.” 

He said today’s societal conflicts mirror the domestic strife he experienced as a college student before he graduated from Rutgers in 1972.  

“In other words, there have been times of tension and fear in our great nation besides just today,” he said. “Democracy is messy and contentious, and it requires engagement.” 

An estimated 17,917 graduates will receive degrees, certificates and diplomas from Rutgers this year (13,133 from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences; 3,123 from Rutgers University-Newark, and 1,660 from Rutgers University-Camden). 

 They include approximately 11,237 baccalaureate degrees, 4,699 master’s degrees, 1,898 doctorates (including professional doctorates), and 82 professional certificates. Since its founding in 1766, Rutgers has awarded 711,274 academic degrees (excluding the 2024-2025 estimated total). 

Rutgers University-Newark’s commencement ceremony is scheduled for May 22 at the Prudential Center, Newark. Ramy Youssef, an award-winning Egyptian-American creator, actor, producer, director and comedian, will deliver remarks. 

The Rutgers University-Camden and Graduate School commencement will be May 20 at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Mickalene Thomas, a distinguished visualist and filmmaker who has exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally since 2003, will deliver the keynote address at the ceremony.