Rowan-Virtua SNHP and TBES graduates celebrated at 2026 Commencement Ceremony

On Thursday, May 14, graduates from the Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions (SNHP) and the Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences (TBES) gathered on Rowan University’s main campus to celebrate Commencement for the Class of 2026. Held outdoors at Rowan’s Coach Richard Wackar Stadium, the joint ceremonies began under light drizzle, but the skies soon cleared and sunshine prevailed as graduates crossed the stage. The event honored undergraduate, master’s and doctoral candidates from programs across the health and life sciences.

Opening the ceremony, TBES Dean Dianne Langford welcomed graduates, families, faculty and guests while reflecting on the challenges and perseverance that defined the students’ academic journeys. Langford highlighted the collaborative culture across the schools and the resilience students demonstrated throughout their studies and research.

“You rose to the challenge, you persevered,” Langford said. “When your experiments failed, your data made no sense, you pivoted, repeated, retested, and thought outside of the box — and you made it.”

Langford also shared reflections from graduating students, who described Rowan’s supportive environment and mentorship as instrumental to their success both personally and professionally. Graduates earned degrees in programs including Cell and Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Translational Orthopedic Device Engineering, Histopathology, Applied Medical Science, Anatomical Sciences and Biomedical Sciences.

SNHP Dean Peter Rattigan addressed the Class of 2026 in what he noted would be his final commencement as dean of the school. In remarks that balanced humor and heartfelt advice, Rattigan encouraged graduates to approach both their professional and personal lives with kindness, commitment and joy.

“If you can be anything — be kind,” Rattigan said. “One thing every graduate today can choose to be, with 100 percent success, is kind.”

He also urged graduates to fully commit themselves to their goals and to embrace the moments of joy and connection that shape meaningful lives and careers.

Student speaker Isiah Hiatt, graduating with a master’s degree in Histopathology, reflected on the demanding yet rewarding nature of scientific study and thanked classmates, faculty, friends and family for helping students reach graduation day.

“We found ways to laugh, to adapt, to keep moving forward,” Hiatt said. “These trials and tribulations didn't just test our knowledge, they strengthened our resilience and showed us what we are truly capable of.”

The ceremony concluded with graduate Juliet Schott leading the Class of 2026 in the tossing of the tassel. Schott encouraged classmates to embrace unexpected opportunities and the people they encounter throughout life’s journey.

“The straight path is rarely the one that shapes you,” Schott said. “It’s the unplanned opportunities, and the people who show up in your life, sometimes briefly, sometimes forever, who change you.”