The South Orange university held its 160th commencement ceremony at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Watch video
HOLMDEL -- The excitement in the air was palpable.
Future teachers, nurses, scientists, and soldiers gathered at the PNC Bank Arts Center Monday morning to mark an education milestone -- graduating from Seton Hall University.
While the graduates may have experienced the same mix of emotions as their predecessors, the university was celebrating a few extra achievements this year.
With 1,465 undergraduates, the Class of 2017 marked the largest in the South Orange school's 160-year history. The class also puts the number of living Seton Hall alumni over the 100,000 mark.
"I feel honored to be a part of this class," Mohammad Hebbela, a political science major from Glen Rock, said when asked about his record-breaking class.
"It's been an unforgettable experience."
During a ceremony honoring the graduates' achievements over the past four years, alumni including the college's new interim president Mary Meehan, and commencement speaker Matthew W. Wright, the founder and president of Disciplina Group LLC, a risk consultancy firm, told the mega class it would make an impact on the world.
Wright told the students their diplomas were "winning tickets."
"As you go forward, I challenge you to engage in the world in meaningful ways," he told the graduates.
"As you invest in...helping others around you reach their goals, and find their purpose, your own purpose will be revealed."
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.