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Before Crossing the Stage at Commencement, Roadrunners Paused to Honor Those Who Paved the Way

May 21, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

On the eve of Commencement, nearly 100 graduating Ramapo College of New Jersey scholars from various backgrounds came together to celebrate their academic achievements and honor the contributions and sacrifices of their ancestors.

鈥淣ever forget who you are and the shoulders that you stand on,鈥� Nicole Morgan-Agard, vice president and general counsel at Ramapo, told roughly 80 undergraduate and 20 graduate students gathered for the College鈥檚 10th Annual Rites of Passage Celebration.

The Trustees Pavilion on Ramapo鈥檚 Mahwah, NJ campus was also packed with proud family members, friends, supporters and mentoring professors eager to celebrate their Roadrunners 鈥� many the first in their immediate families to obtain college degrees.

For ten years, as more and more first-generation scholars have pursued degrees at Ramapo, the College鈥檚 Rites of Passage tradition has served as an opportunity to acknowledge the significant transition in graduating students’ lives while remembering those who paved the way for their achievements, and recognizing the loved ones who have sustained them.

Graduating Roadrunners paid homage to their ancestors during the Rites of Passage celebration.

In Fall 2025, a record 47% of the College鈥檚 new students reported being first-generation. And since 2022, enrollment of first-generation students in Ramapo鈥檚 incoming classes has grown by 55%.

During this year鈥檚 ceremony, Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb called parents, grandparents, family members and friends 鈥渢he stage builders in our students鈥� lives,鈥� before she asked them to stand, if able, to be recognized. 鈥淵ou are the backbone of the Ramapo community, and we are all strengthened and enriched by the love and support you provide to our students on their journey,鈥� she told family members.

Family members of graduating Roadrunners stood to be recognized during the Rites of Passage celebration.

Dr. Jebb then told students, 鈥淵ou embody the legacies of those who came before you. You carry their courage, their hope and their wisdom.鈥�

One such student is Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) scholar Kyree Robinson-Banks ’26, of Newark, NJ. Robinson-Banks, who earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, delivered a stirring and emotional speech during the ceremony.

鈥淵ears after the first slave ship landed in Jamestown, I stand before you breaking generational shackles. I stand before you, not only as the first person in my family to graduate with a bachelor鈥檚 degree, but the first in my family鈥檚 lineage and my bloodline to become a lawyer, as I will be attending Seton Hall Law School,鈥� Robinson-Banks said to cheers and claps.

He told the crowd that he will address systemic barriers such as housing and education, and 鈥淚鈥檒l continue paving the road in which I walked to ensure that those that come after can run.鈥�

Political Science Major Kyree Robinson-Banks ’26 told the crowd he would be the first in his family to attend law school.

Students also heard from Dr. Nicole Pulliam ’02, a proud first-generation college graduate, EOF alumna, and award-winning educator, scholar and higher education consultant, raised in Passaic, NJ.

鈥淓very degree being celebrated today was earned by a village. So when you walk across that commencement stage, walk for the ones who carried you when you did not know you were being carried and honor the ones who passed on before they ever got to see this day,鈥� she said. 鈥淲alk that walk like you are carrying them with you, because you are.鈥�

Pulliam told students that they are a chapter in their family鈥檚 legacy, 鈥渁nd the chapter after yours, it belongs to a six year old watching you right now, learning what is possible by watching what you become.鈥�

Proud graduates cheered during the Rites of Passage celebration.

During the ceremony, each participating student was presented with a stole to wear to commencement to represent a cultural organization they belong to on campus, such as the United Asian Association, Organization of Latino Unity, and Ebony Women for Social Change. The celebration also featured a libation ritual where liquid is poured in special patterns while homage is paid to ancestors.

The 10th Annual Rites of Passage Pre-Commencement Celebration was held on Arching Day 鈥� when family members and supporters turned out to cheer for their graduating students as they walked under the historic Havemeyer Arch, and down rock wall-lined Mansion Road to close out their tenure as Roadrunners.

Ramapo has been recognized as an affordable college with a high return on investment, with programs and professors that propel students to pursue their dreams. Ramapo ranks sixth nationally in the by SmartAsset, with the lowest cost of attendance and highest graduation rate of the two New Jersey institutions to make the list, ranking third nationally for public institutions. Ramapo also made Money Magazine鈥檚 Best Colleges in America list. Factors including graduation rates, cost of attendance, and financial aid were analyzed to determine the College鈥檚 4.0-star rating.