Galloway, N.J. — Fatima Khawaja delivered a strong message for the 2025 master’s and doctoral degree graduates at Stockton University on May 13 to “use what we have learned for collective progress, not just personal success.”

The Mays Landing resident who received her master’s degree in Social Work said her studies taught her that “every struggle is connected,” and that when her fellow graduates see injustice, she hopes they would not look away.

“When we hear silence, let’s not mistake it for peace, and when we are called to act, let us not hesitate,” said Khawaja, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Stockton in 2024.

This year’s Doctoral and Master’s Ceremony at the Sports Center on Stockton’s Galloway campus honored more than 350 graduates, including:

• 32 candidates who earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy,
• Seven who earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadershipand
• 1 who earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
• 316 who received master’s degrees in 16 programs including Social Work,Criminal Justice, Counseling, Environmental Science, Coastal Zone Management, Data Science and Strategic Analytics,Business Administration, Business Administration in Healthcare Administration and Leadership, American Studies, Education, Instructional Technology, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Communication Disorders,Nursing, Occupational Therapy.and Public Health.

Stockton President Joe Bertolino told the graduates that no matter what field or career they choose to enter they will be asked to solve difficult and perplexing problems. He hopes during those times they will choose to follow his Ethic of Care by showing others dignity, respect, kindness, compassion and civility.

“You’ll be challenged to speak the truth, to listen deeply and to build bridges. And through it all, I hope you’ll lead with care and intentional kindness,” he said. “Your story matters. Share It. But take the time to listen, truly listen, when others share their stories, too. Because leadership grounded in care, in kindness, isn’t weak — it’s transformative.”

Professors of Physical Therapy Alysia Mastrangelo and Thomas Nolan, the ceremony’s Grand Marshal, were awarded Professor Emeriti status.

Faculty speaker Mastrangelo urged the students to “always be open to the next opportunity.” She joked with the crowd that when she was an undergraduate, she said confidently that she would never go back to college again.

“Well, four decades and three graduate degrees later, I have a completely different perspective,” she said. “Let life take you where it may, because sometimes the path you didn’t plan ends up being the most rewarding.”

Mastrangelo also emphasized to the graduates how important it is to find a career that speaks to your passion and to go out in the world and make a difference.

“When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work,” she said. “You’ll end your day feeling proud of what you’ve accomplished, and you’ll wake up excited to tackle the tasks ahead because what you’re doing matters.”

Student speaker Khawaja echoed the words of the other speakers and also reminded the graduates to be critical of themselves but not cruel.

“Own your mistakes, but don’t become them. Forgive yourself more often and never let your past mistakes keep you from moving forward. Growth is about progress, not perfection,” she said.

Stockton’s Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies will take place at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., on Friday, May 16, at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. More than 1,800 students are eligible to participate, and more than 10,000 guests are expected.

— Story by Mark Melhorn, photos by Susan Allen

NOTE: More photos will be added to the Flickr gallery on May 14.