Article from February 1, 2000

Nearly 700 candidates for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees graduated at NJPAC this past January, bringing to close nearly a century of excellence embraced by NJIT’s alumni, yet setting a hallmark for those coming after to follow into the new millenium. 

Over the years NJIT has grown from the NCE of yesteryears into a full university with five colleges. What began as an engineering school now caters to computer science, management and the sciences and liberal arts. It has come to represent one of New Jersey’s premier pillars of higher education, being recognized nationwide for its excellence and the many talented students. 

According to Saul K. Fenster, President of NJIT, there are over 8200 students enrolled at the university, an all time high, which demonstrates the expanding role of NJIT in the information age.  

Leena Raut represented the millennium’s first undergraduate class. Completing her bachelor’s in three years, she has been a member of the Honors College, President of the Honors College Student Council, and is currently in the master’s program of Environmental Policy Studies at NJIT. 

William Tereshkovich represented candidates for advanced degrees. Tereshkovich earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at NJIT. A Presidential Fellow, he received a doctorate in Industrial Engineering. 

Among those who received honors at the ceremony are six members of the National Academy of Engineering. The six are: 

Irwin Dorros, member of the NJIT Board of Overseers and former Executive Vice President of Technical Services for Bell Communications Research (Bellcore), currently chairman of the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology. 

Delonn Hamton, honorary alumnus, class of ‘96 and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Delon Hampton and Associates, one of the top 500 consulting engineering design, and construction and program management services in the United States. 

David heebner, class of 1950 and former leader of the Systems Engineering Organization at the Science Applications International Corporation, currently a private consultant and Chairman of the National Research Advisory Committee. 

Carl Rosner, class of 1955 and principal founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Intermagnetics General Corporation, the leading independent producer of high field superconducting materials, magnet systems, and cryogenic equipment in the United States. 

Laurence Seifert, class of 1963 and currently Senior Vice President of AT&T Wireless Services, as well as a senior member of the IEEE. 

Robert Turnbull, class of 1954 and a fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, currently chairman of TK Engineering Associates which provides fan, compressor, combustor, turbine, and structure design for General Electric aircraft engines and power generators. 

These honorees among them represent the height of professional excellence. NJIT has produced generations of top-notch professionals who have served their nation in public and private sectors. Among them, they have tried their best to improve the society that has given them so much. Today’s cadre of students at NJIT will surely follow in their footsteps.  

The new millenium brings in a new age, an age which demands the most of its individuals. New hills have to be climbed and new Everests have to be conquered. NJIT’s graduates go out will all their vigor and enthusiasm to conquer all that has to be conquered and to discover new heights. For as someone once said after each hill is climbed a new one awaits the eyes of the explorer, challenging them on.  

By: Mohamed S. Hasan | Staff Writer