TOMS RIVER, NJ — Ocean County College celebrated the Class of 2026 on Thursday, May 21, 2026, conferring 1,472 associate degrees during two commencement ceremonies at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River.
Among the 2026 graduates were 55 Ocean County high school students participating in OCC’s Early College programs and 51 OCVTS Performing Arts Academy students who earned an associate degree in Performing Arts. Each of these remarkable students earned an associate degree from OCC before receiving their high school diplomas.
Steven Zabarsky, chair of the College’s Board of Trustees, officially opened the proceedings, followed by welcoming remarks from OCC President Pamela Monaco. “This is a bittersweet day for those of us who work at the College,” Dr. Monaco said. “Sweet because we have a last chance to honor and celebrate you as you reach the goal you set for yourself—to complete your academic program. It is bitter because we have to bid you farewell, after much too short a time getting to know you and working alongside you. It is truly an honor to look at each one of you and get to wish you well on the next adventure before you.”
Student speaker Sabrina Watts of Jackson reminded graduates that they are taking away much more than a college degree. “At OCC, we did more than complete assignments or pass classes. We learned how to adapt and turned it into resilience. We learned how to support one another and form community. We learned how to continue despite setbacks, exhaustion, and uncertainty about our future. That is our grit shining through. And most importantly, we learned how to grow the beginnings of our fortitude that will follow us for a lifetime. With all this newfound strength, we’re going to step out into the world prepared for whatever we face.”
During the evening ceremony, Ryan Kanarkowski of Point Pleasant Beach encouraged classmates to appreciate their achievements. “You made it to this moment. You’ve accomplished something real. You grew not just academically, but personally, and now you’re stepping into what comes next,” Ryan said. “So as you move forward, take a risk, be bold, try things that scare you, and don’t be afraid to fail, because failure isn’t the opposite of success, it’s part of the process. Another part of that process is refusing to quit.”
President Monaco also recognized two faculty members for excellence in teaching and dedication to student success. Dr. Mark William Westmoreland, College Lecturer II of Philosophy (2026 Full-Time Faculty of the Year), and Professor Dom Corcuera, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry (2026 Part-Time Faculty of the Year), were selected from more than 222 nominations received from OCC students this year.
The 59th Annual Commencement ceremonies were broadcast live on ocean.edu and on Ocean TV-20 via Comcast of Toms River and Long Beach Island (Channel 20) and Verizon FiOS of Northern Ocean County (Channel 24). Recordings of the ceremonies will be rebroadcast throughout the month and remain available for viewing online. For more information, visit ocean.edu/graduation.
About Ocean County College
For 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that empower diverse learners to achieve their goals while enriching the communities we serve. Learn more at ocean.edu.