SoE Celebrates the Class of 2025 at 111th Convocation Exercises
Convocation Speaker JB Kim Urges Students to Continue to Accept New Challenges
Family and friends gathered to celebrate the School of Engineering’s Class of 2025 at Jersey Mike’s Arena on the Rutgers Livingston campus on May 16. Following a procession led by Rutgers Engineering’s Dean Alberto Cuitiño, faculty, staff, alumni, and representatives from the Rutgers Board of Trustees, more than 900 students graduating with Bachelor of Science degrees across 10 engineering majors took their seats for the school’s 111th convocation ceremony.
“Today we are celebrating our School of Engineering students and all that you have achieved,” said Cuitiño in his opening remarks. “As students of Rutgers Engineering, each of you has been an important part of our community. You each made a difference as scholars, researchers, and participants in activities and student organizations. You have added to our special engineering community that exists within the wider Rutgers campus.
“As you embark on your professional life, I am confident you will continue to succeed in making a lasting impact. Treasure all you have gained here at Rutgers. The friendships you made, the knowledge you gained, and the challenges you overcame. You have the foundation—build upon it and let nothing stand between you and what you can accomplish.”
Beginning a Journey of Lifelong Learning
Alumnus JB Kim, CEO of nVerses Capital, delivered the convocation address, reflecting on his experiences since graduating for Rutgers in 2002 with degrees in mechanical engineering and computer science. He launched a Wall Street career, working as a quantitative developer, trader, and researcher before founding nVerses Capital. Today, he and his team manage systematic investment portfolios. An engaged alumnus, he has funded student interns at WINLAB, the school’s wireless information and networking laboratory. Drawing on his own experiences, Kim urged this year’s class to remember that learning is a lifelong journey.
“You have an amazing future ahead of you,” he said. “As you move forward, take pride in knowing you are equipped with all you need to take bold steps in whatever you put your mind to. Your scientific mindset has prepared you to explore areas you never thought possible. I implore you, don’t be afraid to try. Be proud of the fact that you now possess the knowledge to apply yourself in ways that aren’t limited by your degree, or the extent of your current understanding. Remember,” he added “you learned how to learn things yourself.”
Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Engineering Governing Council President Lakshita Sharma and student leader Hash Kolhatar were the Class of 2025 student convocation speakers. Sharma, who earned degrees in biomedical engineering and economics, reminded students that as engineers they have the precision and persistence to change the world.
“It’s using everything we’ve learned — about systems, about nuance, about staying when things get hard — and choosing to build better wherever we are,” she said. “We’re not just engineers. We’re advocates. We’re problem-solvers in a world full of complex, interlocking systems.”
Kolhatar, who majored in industrial engineering with minors in computer science and business administration, was selected by his peers to be the student speaker. As a Student Ambassador he remembered giving a tour and a parent asking, “What as the most important thing you learned here?”
That question caused him to reflect on how much Rutgers Engineering has shaped the way he sees the world and his future.
“We are the new generation of engineers—each of us ready to rethink, rebuild, and reimagine the world around us,” he said.
Commencement marks acceptance into a lifelong network between graduates and the School of Engineering through Rutgers Engineering Alumni (REA). Parth Oza, the current president of REA, welcomed the Class of 2025 to the group before recognizing Dev Hudson, Hudson Yan, Tyler Chang, Joshua Green, Nicholas Percarpio, Adam Wynne, Jack Kellaher, and Lakshita Sharma as this year’s recipients of REA’s Outstanding Student Scholar Awards.
The convocation celebrating the School of Engineering’s graduating class ended by conferring the Bachelor of Science degree to each member of the Class of 2025 – and by wishing them well as they start the next chapter of their lives.
Visit the Convocation Photo Album
