Morristown, N.J. – county College of Morris (CCM) marked a significant milestone, hosting its 56th Commencement at the William G. Mennen Sports Arena. The ceremony honored the Class of 2025, with nearly 1,000 graduates receiving associate degrees and certificates of achievement.

Despite a rainy Thursday morning, the atmosphere inside the arena was celebratory as CCM President Dr. Anthony J. Iacono addressed the large audience. He opened by reflecting on the college’s rich history and its integral role within the community, emphasizing CCM’s well-deserved reputation as the community’s college.

Dr. Iacono highlighted the enduring connection between the college and its students, stating, Graduates, many of you know CCM in its present state, but for decades it has been a school that is cared for by its community, a place where dreams are fulfilled by talented students just like you, and a home that embraces you and everyone who has come before you.

Stories of Resilience, Leadership, and Excellence

Continuing a cherished tradition, Dr. Iacono spotlighted several graduates whose stories exemplified resilience, leadership, and academic excellence:

• Juan Marin de la Rosa (Parsippany): Already holding an associate degree in business from CCM, Mr. Marin de la Rosa earned a second degree in nursing and has been hired by Morristown Medical Center to work in the Gagnon Cardiac Unit. He plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Rowan University. Dr. Iacono described him as smart, talented, and caring.
• Denise demaio (Wharton): Ms. DeMaio achieved her lifelong dream by earning an associate’s degree in music, paving the way for a career as a music therapist. She balanced her studies with evening work at UPS to make her enrollment at CCM possible.
• Brian Scott (Livingston): With an associate’s degree in liberal arts, Mr. Scott was actively involved in the college’s film club and broadcasting studio. He also worked at Big State sports with owner George Muha, ’96, and will transfer to Montclair State to continue his education.
• Lizeth Isaza (Wharton): Ms. Isaza began her CCM journey as a dual enrollment student while still in high school. She will now pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree through Ramapo College’s 2+1 finance program.
• Tyler Hamlett (Budd Lake): Earning an associate’s degree in criminal justice, Mr. Hamlett was a dedicated campus leader in numerous clubs, a performing arts student, and a volunteer firefighter in his Mt. Olive community.
• Diana Luba (Rockaway): A musical theater major, Ms. Luba will continue her education at Drew University. She honored her family by wearing her grandfather’s medallion, symbolizing his immigration to the U.S. from Poland.
• james Turchi (Bridgewater): This highly decorated student athlete and future teacher was lauded by his supervising teacher,Debbie Iacono,at Chester Stephen’s elementary School in Mt. Olive,as a natural and the best student intern she had worked with in decades.
• Landon Tanyeri (sparta): As president of CCM’s Student Government Association, Mr. Tanyeri was commended for his leadership abilities, work ethic, intellectual capabilities, and interpersonal skills. Dr. Iacono noted, Graduating today with an associate’s degree in liberal arts and heading to Rutgers to study public policy, Landon is well ahead of his peers around the state and nation. Mr. Tanyeri also traveled to Washington, D.C., with Dr. Iacono to advocate for community colleges.

Mr. Tanyeri encouraged his fellow graduates to embrace opportunities, stating, I encourage you to take advantage of the open doors… doors custom-tailored to only fit you, which will be left shut if the key walks by.

Scholarships, County Support, and Future Initiatives

Noelia DeStefano received the 2025 Sherman and Dorothy Masten Memorial Scholarship. The college also recognized candidates who graduated with honors and participants in the Honors program.

Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners shared his personal journey of immigrating to the U.S. from Turkey and achieving success in business and public service. He highlighted the county’s support for CCM’s expansion, including:

• the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center
• The Morris County Career Training Center (ribbon-cutting set for Friday, May 30)
• The Center for Entrepreneurship and Culinary Science (Spring 2026)
• The Center for Healthcare Professions (fall 2026)

Mr. Selen emphasized CCM’s high ranking among community colleges, stating, Your college is the greatest community college anywhere…year after year, CCM is consistently ranked among the top community colleges in the country. All thes projects will allow people in Morris County to develop the skills demanded by new jersey’s leading business and government sectors, the skills you now hold…. Opportunities don’t always knock. Sometiems, you have to build the door yourself.

Dr. Iacono reinforced CCM’s commitment to supporting local non-profits, law enforcement, and the business community. This includes the opening of a new Veterans Resource Center on campus in 2024 for students, community veterans, and their families. We know and respect that our Veterans and active-duty military personnel are an invaluable community within our community. They represent the reason why we live in the greatest nation on the planet, he said.

Keynote Address and Closing Remarks

U.S. Army Major General John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments & Ammunition and Commanding General of Picatinny arsenal, delivered the keynote address. He shared four guiding lessons:

• Trust your instincts
• Be humble
• Set a positive environment
• Make a difference

General Reim emphasized the abundance of opportunities and the need for graduates to seize them, stating, This is an incredibly eclectic and diverse graduating class. You represent a broad spectrum of ages, from those just starting their adult journeys in their twenties to those embracing new opportunities in their fifties and sixties…. you are County College of Morris proud. You are Jersey tough. And you are ready to build the future.

CCM’s Board of Trustees Chair and U.S. Army Veteran Paul Licitra praised the graduates’ resilience, emphasizing that success comes from small, consistent efforts and the power of grit. This milestone,your college graduation,wasn’t built in grand leaps. It was built through daily effort… now go forward not just as graduates, but as county College of Morris alumni. You will always be part of the CCM family, he said.

CCM Professor Alexis Thurman, chair of the Mathematics Department, served as Grand Marshall, leading the graduates to joyful embraces from faculty, family, friends, and Titus, CCM’s mascot, as the CCM Chamber Choir sang.