May 23, 2023 • 30 mins
The first of our three-part commencement series special checks out the 2023 Liberal Arts commencement on May 17, 2023. We'll speak with the 2023 RCBC Valedictorian Madeleine Armstrong, catch up with Liberal Arts graduates and hear a few clips from this memorable event.
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Episode Transcript
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Jason Varga (00:00):
So, welcome to the program pod a national award
(00:03):
winning program on the RCBCPodcast Network, which takes a
deep dive into the programsoffered at rcbc through
different perspectives ofstudents, faculty and employers.
And this time, we're obviouslyagain, doing a little bit
different or a three part seriesfor the Commencement for 2023.
breaking it up to liberal arts,health sciences stem, but it is
(00:24):
liberal arts, and with me, aswe're doing our student speakers
is actually rcbc 2023.valedictorian, Madeleine
Armstrong. Madeleine, how youdoing?
Unknown (00:34):
Great. I'm so happy to be here. And I just am so
excited to chat with you today.
Jason Varga (00:39):
Right on! Well, what we got going on here is
you're sitting here for theprogram pod don't get to know
you a little bit. So you justhad a great speech out there.
First of all, how are youfeeling to where we started? Are
we about to get you in here?
Unknown (00:52):
Yeah, no, at the speech, I went way smoother than
I could have imagined. I wasvery nervous. I've been super
under the weather. So Idefinitely was a bit scared
today. And especiallyconsidering the the web and
feeling has been affecting myvoice. But I do think the speech
was great. And I feel awesome.I'm just happy it's over.
Jason Varga (01:13):
Yeah, I feel you with the voice. As I'm still
kind of on the little bit ofnasal congestion kind of going
on allergies and such. But yourspeech, it's out there, which
again, we're gonna give a littlebit of a clip later on.
Obviously, we're streaming outover YouTube. First of all, did
you how did you think ofPresident CoCs introduction to
you for you can be president andsuch?
Unknown (01:34):
Wow, it was very flattering. I definitely I
certainly, I don't know if Iwould have described myself in
such a way. But it was veryflattering. And I felt so
honored to be described in thatway. I mean, Supreme Court
Justice and future presidentthat's kind of crazy. But I feel
like it definitely did mejustice. It set me up for a
(01:54):
really good speech. Yeah,
Jason Varga (01:56):
I'm nervous at all I feel good about it. Went
through it all.
Unknown (01:59):
You know, honestly, I think because these are my peers
that I went to school with. Andjust being in an atmosphere
where I already felt socomfortable. Like the nerves
kind of left me. I definitelywas not. I was nervous. Last
night, I was feeling a littleunsure. And I especially with
everything going on with beingsick. I definitely was a bit
(02:23):
nervous, feeling a littlehesitant last night, but the
moment I got up there, I wasfeeling so comfortable. It was
great to be surrounded by peoplethat I know. And everyone was
just so supportive. So I was setup for success honestly,
Jason Varga (02:36):
seems like and obviously you're super prepared
person. We're gonna get into alittle bit of your bio, what was
going on? But first of all, whatled you to, let's say rcbc.
Unknown (02:46):
Right. So I graduated high school in 2020. And I did
not go right to college, therewas so much going on the
pandemic, I did not personallyfeel prepared for college. And
also, I just knew that I neededto wait some time. So I did a
service here with AmeriCorps.About halfway through that
service year, I just was feelinglike, I had matured in such
(03:10):
short time. But I also felt likeI wanted something to do, I
wanted something to apply myselfwith. So feeling very hesitant
and nervous. I did start with myfirst class at rcbc in the
spring of 2021. And it was justall online because COVID was
still pretty rampant at thattime and the offerings that they
had. Most classes were justfully online. So it was a
(03:33):
political science course that Istarted with. And it just kind
of was smooth sailing fromthere. That's that's how I got
involved.
Jason Varga (03:40):
Was that some political science? Like you knew
that's what you want to do rightout of the gate?
Unknown (03:44):
Oh, absolutely. I mean, it's funny, I always knew or
I've always known, I really dowant to go to law school. And
you think about law majors atthe cool thing about law school
is that there is no pre lawmajor, there's no set major. But
I also have always wanted tounderstand better how our
government how our countryfunctions, how politics, really
what politics is, and for a lotof people, you know, politics is
(04:07):
just at the at the base of it isjust decision making. So being
able to study and understand howhumans interact with each other.
That's just fascinating to me.And yeah, so and that actually
blossom into me picking upeconomics as my other major,
which was another, I definitelywould not have been possible
without rcbc.
Jason Varga (04:25):
So you graduated, you know, today, obviously
liberal arts and your associatesand stuff, but you're also your
rockers as well. Right?
Unknown (04:31):
Yeah. Rutgers New Brunswick,
Jason Varga (04:32):
right? And what are you studying there?
Unknown (04:34):
Economics and Political Science. I'm also doing a minor
in American studies as well.
Jason Varga (04:40):
That seems like quite the workload. Yeah. I've
Unknown (04:43):
set myself up for a lot of late nights, a lot of
studying, but I definitely feellike I can do it.
Jason Varga (04:49):
So in addition to all that, you're also interning
with the Department of thestates.
Unknown (04:53):
Yes. So I did DLs last year. I'm doing DOL right now.
And I'm specifically with theBureau of Labor Statistics at
the moment. Now DOL
Jason Varga (05:02):
is Department of Law, labor labor. Done with
download it for some of thelisteners out there. So many
Unknown (05:07):
acronyms, we have so many departments in this
country.
Jason Varga (05:11):
So what's next? I know you don't want log heads in
my notes here, you're looking togo to London as well. Yeah. So
Unknown (05:18):
I got accepted into a program with the London School
of Economics for like a summersemester kind of thing to study
abroad. And that's really cool.I also am interested in maybe
doing some graduate work there.I don't know what that would
look like, necessarily. I'm verycontent with this current
internship that I'm doing. Andit looks like that might be
something that I would beinterested in for after college,
(05:40):
but I've just kind of go tolike, go where the, my academics
take me. And if I if I end up inLondon, and I just love it, then
I probably will. I might justwant to stay there. But um,
yeah, that's, that's on my radarright now. That's next summer.
So I have a lot to look forwardto in the next year.
Jason Varga (05:59):
Yeah, I want to get back there myself. I was my
parents being both military, westill have out there and then
came back to the States.Actually, I used to have an
English accent, we wouldn't everbelieve it. Yeah, I lost it
going up to get over there. Butso why London School of
Economics.
Unknown (06:13):
So economics is really cool. Because you're looking at
the science of decision making,how are people making decisions
in every aspect of their lives,I think a lot of people have
this misconstrued understandingof what economics is, they think
of it as just a businessapplication. It's actually
funny. All of my professors, oneof the things that they will
emphasize is we are not part ofthe business school at Rutgers,
(06:35):
we are in the School of Arts andSciences, we are definitely not
a business degree. And so onereason that I became interested
in economics particularly isbecause it is like the practical
applications of politicalscience. It's where you get the
math, it's where you can see,you know, these things you're
learning in political scienceand have actual data and
(06:55):
statistics for them. So one coolthing about econ to me is that,
you know, I have a very firmunderstanding of the American
political economy, I understandthat I've been able to, that's
where most of my studies havebeen focused. So far in college,
I would like to have a general amore diverse view of economics
and the cool thing global. Yeah,and I think that that's so
(07:18):
important moving forward,especially for those who are
interested in being part of ourpolitical process. Having a
global understanding ofeconomics, having that
international experience, Ithink it just like anything, it
provides different alternatekind of viewpoints for when
you're going to make decisionsand when you're going to make
(07:38):
policy. And if you know, ofcourse, we have a really rich
history of economics here in theStates. But I do think that
something that I'm interested inis being able to if I am going
to be working in policy, I wantthat diverse background, I want
a different experience. I wantan education from someone who
isn't just teaching Americanpolitical, political economy,
(07:59):
and that's really important tome, do you
Jason Varga (08:01):
think rcbc kind of prepared you for that next
chapter?
Unknown (08:04):
Oh, absolutely. I mean, rcbc was a fundamental stepping
stone for me into it in terms ofgetting to where I am with my
current studies. It's actuallyfunny, I never really thought of
myself as maybe being interestedin economics. I know for myself,
I had to take micro, or I didn'thave to take it. But it was an
option here at rcbc, for part ofthe requirements for my degree
(08:26):
in political science. I tookmicro and I was like, this is
the most interesting class I'veever taken. And I, from that
point on, it was love at firstsight. I just constantly wanted
to be involved in economics. SoI actually, I finished out my
degree here in politicalscience, just completely in poli
sci. And then the moment Istarted at Rutgers this past
(08:47):
semester, it's all beeneconomics. So it's been really
cool. It's like, I have twoyears of Political Science two
years now to look towards, likeeconomics. And yeah, so I rcbc
was fundamental to that to thatprocess.
Jason Varga (08:59):
So what was the difference between, say, rcbc,
and then the four year school ofRutgers?
Unknown (09:04):
Yeah. So I mean, our CPC, it's top of the class, it's
top of the line, you reallycannot get and I, I actually
wrote a paper like two years agonow at this point on two year
colleges and four year collegesand the differences between
them. And I just think that rcbcis unparalleled. I mean, I look
(09:25):
at there's this stigma aroundcommunity colleges, and a lot of
it has to do with thisassumption that there's a lower
quality of education, right?Like anyone can enroll here, so
therefore, the faculty must beof lower quality. That's
absolutely not the case. I hadso many professors here who were
fundamental in terms of me,essentially developing who I am
(09:49):
as a person, but alsochallenging me and I was
challenged here quite a bit atrcbc in each of my classes, and
I think, you know, rcbc incomparison to a four year school
I have I miss rcbc quite a bit.Since being at Rutgers, I really
miss the connection that I hadwith my professors here because
I don't really, you really haveto fight for that at a larger
(10:10):
school, you really do. And notthat that's not worthwhile, it's
always worthwhile to fight foryour education. rcbc definitely
is a place where if you arelooking to develop your academic
skills and and really becomepart of a greater academic
community rcbc Was that placefor me? That's awesome.
Jason Varga (10:28):
And he said, You didn't like read or schooling or
write to rcbc wanted America andstuff. Maybe someone out there
too, is kind of going throughthat path, or they're
questioning themselves out ofhigh school, they don't know
what to do, where they're kindof going. So what advice would
you give someone else who wantsto kind of start, you know, a
new beginning like you did?
Unknown (10:44):
Yeah, I would say don't rush it. There's this pressure
on, particularly American, youngadults to just go go go and just
immediately jump into something,I would say, especially when it
comes to college, take yourtime, and really think about
what you want to do. I alwaysknew that college was going to
(11:06):
be for me, I just didn't knowwhen I needed that time to
develop as a person and mature.And I definitely will say it
paid off, I waited like sixmonths to start college instead
of jumping right in with therest of my peer group. And it
was tough the pressure, thesocial pressure of not being in
college, you know, not goingaway to school. There's this,
(11:27):
like, the college experience.It's this, this idea that, you
know, you go off to school, andyou have these all these amazing
experiences. It's not real, tobe honest with you. And I can
say that now, because I've bothbeen at rcbc, but also been in a
four year school. So I have bothexperiences, and it's very much
glamorized. And I think the bestthing I could have done for my
(11:49):
education was taking my timewith it waiting until I knew I
was ready. And then really justremembering why am I doing this?
I am doing it because I wantthat career. I want that that
future for myself. I'm not doingit because that's the
expectation or what peopleexpect of me. So definitely
taking the time to developyourself is essential.
Jason Varga (12:09):
Was there someone that inspired you along that
way? Oh, yeah, there's a need tobe teacher to be anybody.
Unknown (12:13):
My mom, my mom, for sure. She has been instrumental
in every single part of my life.I grew up in a divorced family.
And my mom really did raise us.For a long time, I'd say as a
single parent, and she is just atiger, she is a force to be
reckoned with, you know, she hada very difficult time as a young
(12:37):
adult, she lost her mother. Andin that process, she struggled
academically. But she that didnot stop her. If anything, it
really motivated her to keepmoving. She ended up getting two
masters degrees. And now sheworks in the government,
actually. And that's probablywhere I get my other. My other
inspiration for wanting to workin the government as well. But
(13:00):
she really is a force to bereckoned with. And she has just,
she just doesn't give up. Ithink that that's something that
like I think about her such thesituation she's been through,
she's had a very difficult setof circumstances, circumstances
throughout her life, and shejust does not stop. She's never
let that affect her fromreaching her goals. And so for
me, I have this person that Ilive with, and that I see every
(13:22):
day. And I just am constantly inawe of her, her just ability to
keep going. And for me, that'sbeen the greatest inspiration.
And I'm lucky enough that shealso happens to be my mom.
Jason Varga (13:34):
And I see where now you get a lot a lot of your work
ethic. Now my boss, Greg Volpe,who is the executive director of
strategic marketingcommunications here at the
college. He was telling me thatyour mom was streaming all the
way from Turkey.
Unknown (13:46):
Yeah, she couldn't be there graduation, I should say,
yeah, she could not be heretoday, which I was so sad about.
But she had this vacation planfor a very long time to Turkey
with some of her friends. And soshe was gonna watch she she
watched on the stream today. Iactually did see she sent me a
text message. And she, she lovedit. What was
Jason Varga (14:04):
it? So what's the time difference? There was like
10 o'clock here or something Idon't even know.
Unknown (14:09):
I'd like to say if I had to be certain. I think it's
I actually, I wanted to makesure I was falling along with
her time. So I on my clock app.I got it. I think it's eight
hours ahead. But I'll tell youright now, up till at 6:54pm.
That's not too bad. That's noteven eight hours. Is it? Seven.
So
Jason Varga (14:25):
that's all good. All right. So you have this work
ethic you're driving, everythingthat you do, is there downtime
for you to even have likehobbies or fun activities. What
are you doing when you do them?
Unknown (14:36):
So first of all, I'm a firm believer in balance. I
think I would not be able to dowhat I do without balance. You
can't just go 100% of the time.You can't. It's not possible and
it's also just not good for you.I have so many hobbies I love to
sing I love to dance. I love todraw. I love crafts, I love
anything that's creative. I alsoam a huge nerd. I love video
(14:59):
games. I actually, just as a, Iwanted to get myself a little
gift to commemorate thisoccasion. And I bought myself a
Nintendo Switch. Like literallyyesterday, get your Zelda I did.
I'm a big nerd, I loved theBreath of the Wild. And I just
got the tears of the kingdomgame. So I'm going to lock
(15:20):
myself in my room this weekendand do that you earned it. Yeah,
you know what I will say? Idefinitely, this was a tough
semester chill. So I feel like Ican self assured say, Yeah, I'm
happy. I earned it. But yeah,there's definitely also spending
time with your friends. I'm verymuch an introvert. But I do
think that having a propersupport group is essential for
(15:42):
you having success in theclassroom. And so I love
spending time with my friendsand my family. And yeah,
there's, I will say, there'sthis misconception that you have
to, like, have this verydisciplined. And discipline is
very important. But you have tohave this discipline, kind of
tunnel vision path in life, ifyou want to have perfect
(16:02):
everything. It's not true. Imean, I got my 4.0 that the same
time that I was also enjoying myhobbies, my games and stuff. And
I was making sure that I didprioritize the important things.
But I also recognize that theend of the day, those important
things mean nothing if you don'thave ways to celebrate them.
Yeah.
Jason Varga (16:21):
Anyone get burnt out, too. Oh, so no, no, yeah,
that's it's very important. Yousaid the balance is huge. So
yeah. So before we have some letyou go, cuz I know we're gonna
go onto your busy world and suchjust trying to get you in here.
What would it be? Again, we'regonna play a part of your clip
your speech a little bit lateron, and another full pot or the
full commencement speech thatyou did on our YouTube channel,
(16:44):
but some parting words of wisdomto your fellow graduates, you
know, what would you like tosay?
Unknown (16:51):
Yeah, I said, in my speech, I'll say it again, here,
the only person standing in yourway is you. That's just the
truth of it. Um, I, it took me awhile to understand that the
reason I was not succeeding theway I wanted to was because of
myself. That's a hardrealization to grapple with.
It's hard to admit thatsometimes you're the problem.
And I definitely have in theproblem, I've had circumstances
(17:12):
in my life that have definitelymade things much harder for me
at times, I grew up in atroubled household, I definitely
struggled with having friends inhigh school, struggled with
mental health issues. At the endof the day, I was the only
fundamental reason that I wasn'table to achieve the things that
I wanted to achieve in highschool. And when I realized
(17:32):
that, getting to college, itchanged my perspective, it
changed my life, it changedeverything. Everything that I do
was now centered around the factthat, hey, yeah, I don't want to
study maybe on like, a randomWednesday night, and I don't
want to, I don't want to have todo PreCalculus until you know,
like 11pm but the differencebetween me and someone else
who's not gonna get the gradethat I I get is that I am going
(17:55):
to put in that extra mile I amgoing to go the extra mile to
make sure that I don't inhibitmyself and that discipline. It
is priceless. So once you canteach yourself discipline and
you can rework your, your, yourmindset for living, changes
everything. So that's my little,my little like, bit of wisdom
for anybody.
Jason Varga (18:15):
Awesome. Well, again, thank you for coming on
the show. I'm gonna let yougonna go check on Barry out
there and everyone doing alltheir pictures and such we'll
speak with some other studentswhich we're going to hear from
some liberal arts graduates herefrom rcbc. Again, Madeleine
Armstrong, rcbc, 2023,valedictorian. Congratulations.
Good luck with everything, youknow, keep us posted. And you
(18:36):
know if you do become president,
Unknown (18:37):
so yeah, definitely vote for me.
Jason Varga (18:41):
Alright, as promised, we're now live on the
quality or the Commencement forliberal arts Jason Varga on the
streets as they say for the oldradio as it is behind. Here
behind Votto are all thestudents are kind of getting set
up and have my first student I'mgoing to be on here. What's your
name? Ashley Miller. AshleyMiller, I know you from
somewhere else, right. Alsoworking here too. But you're
(19:01):
gonna be graduating when youwhen you graduated with my
sociology
Unknown (19:05):
degree.
Jason Varga (19:06):
Who was your favorite professor?
Unknown (19:07):
Um, I have to say it's between Renita Brady and Jamie
judge.
Jason Varga (19:11):
Yeah. What were they teaching?
Unknown (19:14):
History and Sociology.
Jason Varga (19:16):
Okay, so what's your next step?
Unknown (19:18):
Where are we gonna go on from here? I'm going to Rowan
University in the fall.Sociology as well.
Jason Varga (19:23):
Yep. Okay, so one thing you're going to miss about
being here on campus.
Unknown (19:29):
The student life activities. I really enjoyed
that. And also the professors. Iwish that I could take them with
me because they they really madethis experience unique and
really helped me through it.
Jason Varga (19:40):
So, like, it was like me, I didn't have a bunch
of like energy drinks and coffeeand stuff. What did you live off
to kind of get that energy goingand going? Math. Math is energy.
Yeah. Interesting. Never was notexpecting that type of answer.
So. All right. So what campusbuildings you spend Most time
and then Laurel for sure.Laurel, which is usually where
(20:04):
all the liberal arts studentsare and such. So what would you
say to your fellow classmatesthat are graduating now?
Unknown (20:09):
Congratulations, you should be proud of yourselves
and really just take it in todayand do big things.
Jason Varga (20:16):
Okay, well, that's Ashley Miller. Gonna be
graduating for sociology. Sowe're gonna go on find our next
victim. Ashley, thanks forcoming on the show.
Unknown (20:25):
Thank you.
Jason Varga (20:26):
Welcome. What's your name?
Unknown (20:27):
Sandra.
Jason Varga (20:28):
Sandra sandwich. Last Name,
Unknown (20:29):
Sandra Royce. I'm sorry.
Jason Varga (20:31):
It's all good. Don't be nervous or anything.
Where are you from? Sandra.
Unknown (20:34):
I'm actually from Burlington County. But I'm
actually from Puerto Rico.
Jason Varga (20:39):
Nice. Well, so what brought rcbc though,
Unknown (20:42):
I'm a transfer from Palm Beach State College from
Florida, and moved to Florida,from Florida did to my family
living here in Jersey. So I justliked the idea of the reviews of
the school. When I was searchingaround, I found that this was
one of the best schools aroundthe area.
Jason Varga (21:00):
Well, congratulations. You're
graduating here for liberalarts? What was your major?
What's your specialization?
Unknown (21:05):
Business Administration?
Jason Varga (21:07):
Okay, what's the next plan after this after rcbc
Unknown (21:09):
I'm actually in a three plus one. So I'm staying here.
Just completed my bachelor'sdegree.
Jason Varga (21:15):
What's been your favorite experience so far here
been rcbc class classmatessomething, you know, standing
out
Unknown (21:22):
just to support overall the college. So parents and
employee also, I think they havea great system to support as
parents student. So there's agreat work balance, um, a
distant distance learning. Soit's been awesome just to have
the opportunity to complete mydegree and being able to
continue towards my bachelor's.That's just amazing. Yes. Do
Jason Varga (21:42):
you have a favorite snack in the vending machine?
Something that kind of kept yougoing during classes?
Unknown (21:46):
Yeah, actually, after work. I always join the Student
Center and the library to do allmy schoolwork. And yes, the
vending machine was like sneakertweaks and coke. That's just a
mix of keeping me up.
Jason Varga (22:01):
Okay, now, were you a caramel twigs or a peanut
butter Twix, caramel. Goodanswer. That's a good answer.
Okay. All right. Well, thanksagain. Did you want to say one
final word some of your fellowclassmates for graduation today.
Unknown (22:12):
Congratulation to OLS. And good luck on the next step.
And anything you had as a dream.You can do it, just go for it.
Thanks.
Jason Varga (22:19):
Well, thanks for coming on the show. Have fun.
All right. So J again, on thestreets here for the program,
pod outside voters. Everyone'sgetting lined up to get their
liberal arts degree. Who do Ihave with me? Caitlin lemon.
Unknown (22:28):
Heartland sprinkle. Okay, and
Jason Varga (22:30):
where are y'all from?
Unknown (22:31):
I grew up in Virginia.
Jason Varga (22:33):
How did you end up here?
Unknown (22:34):
I did military and got out came to be with family so
Jason Varga (22:37):
awesome. Well, thank you for your service. I'm
a military brat myself with myparents doing 20 years Air
Force. So Hamilton, where areyou from? Maple shade maple
shade. All right. So Wildcatright yeah, all right mix right
the right right in littlemascots there. I'm like bury the
mascots walking around heresomewhere and stuff. So
obviously congratulations ongraduating here with liberal
arts. So what was your major inspecialization? Inclusive
(22:59):
Education. Okay and yoursinclusive education. I both you
there so what's what's the nextstep then?
Unknown (23:05):
Final senior year at Rowan University. So we're part
of the three plus one program.
Jason Varga (23:10):
Very nice. Same thing for you then. Right. Okay.
So what was your favoriteexperience then? So far here at
rcbc. You can be here obviouslyon campus a little bit longer
and doing some classes thatcontinue three plus one but
favorite standout? Whether it'sProfessor class, I don't know
snack in the vending machine.
Unknown (23:26):
The friendships I made, but I also professor corvina.
Denton, she definitely made ourexperience great.
Jason Varga (23:31):
Yeah, she's awesome. I had her on the
program pod earlier. And she'sjust she, she always asked about
your glow moment. Yeah, yeah.See, I know the glow moment.
Unknown (23:39):
thing grows, what to do in education.
Jason Varga (23:42):
Right. So what's been your glow moment then if I
take one from her?
Unknown (23:46):
I'm probably for me. It would be how much I've grown
over the past year as aneducator like in the classroom
and teaching students and stuff.So it's been kind of nice to see
how much I've changed.
Jason Varga (23:56):
Awesome. Well, one final thought would you like to
say to your fellow classmates,as you know, we're all moving on
to the next step.
Unknown (24:03):
Don't give up and keep going. I changed my degree three
times. So keep it up. Good luckin everything you do. And you're
gonna succeed.
Jason Varga (24:11):
Well, I think you're all going to succeed too.
And congratulations, and havefun on your special day. You're
welcome. All right, anotherfellow graduate here for rcbc
What's your name? Jordan.Jordan. What's your last name?
Unknown (24:21):
Francis.
Jason Varga (24:21):
And where are you from?
Unknown (24:22):
I'm from Wilmington, New Jersey
Jason Varga (24:23):
number 10. Okay, so what was your first of all,
congratulations on graduatinghere at rcbc and liberal arts.
What was your specialization?
Unknown (24:29):
I'm a video and digital major video and digital media
production.
Jason Varga (24:33):
Okay, so you with Dr. Brooke Myatt? Do an
entertainment tech Okay, workwith her. She doesn't another
podcast here at the collegeshow. How's your experience
working with Brooke?
Unknown (24:41):
She's a good teacher. She's one of those professors
that if you put in the work,you're not gonna fail. So she
really gave you a lot ofopportunities during the
semester and for our classes tonot only just pass but Excel and
their courses. What
Jason Varga (24:52):
was your favorite experience so far? Being here at
rcbc? Um, I
Unknown (24:55):
have to say I feel like maybe like a year and a half
ago, maybe two years ago. Um, Idid a photography shoot for the
rcbc fashion show that they havefor the fall and spring. And
that was a very cool experienceto do just seeing all these
students get together andorganize that, like no adults,
like, put anything elsetogether, it was all a student
effort. And it was a greatturnout.
Jason Varga (25:15):
Yeah, and actually just had this year at the Cherry
Hill Mall. So it's kind of goingup, we might be able to, you
know, contributing towards that.So what's your next step here?
Unknown (25:23):
Right now, I'm just looking to work for freelance,
get my portfolio up. And thenI'm either gonna see what how it
works out, or I might go offand, you know, Google rowing
records to get that bachelor's.
Jason Varga (25:35):
Okay, awesome. And any parting words for your
fellow classmates heregraduating today?
Unknown (25:39):
Um, just take it one step at a time. You know,
sometimes we have a tendency tocompare ourselves to others. And
you know, social media is such abig thing nowadays. So we're
comparing ourselves to otherpeople. And you know, everyone
has their own pace. So justdon't compare and just do it at
your own at your own pace.
Jason Varga (25:58):
I love it. Good words. Again, congratulations
and enjoy and I'll let you kindof get ready to go get your
ceremony. All right, bringing itback to the program, pod studio
here as the rest of the studentscontinue to get ready for the
2023 liberal arts commencementthey would eventually line up by
vote a hall walk down the pathtowards the quad where the
ceremony was taking place. Yougot friends, family, you know,
co workers, everybody cheeringon their graduates out there on
(26:19):
a quad What a gorgeous day, bythe way, absolutely awesome
weather. But as promised, we'renow going to take a listen to
part of our CBCs 2023valedictorian Madeline
Armstrong's commencement speechto our classmates.
Unknown (26:30):
This is the message that I wish to convey to all of
you regardless of what your nextstep is, whether it be a job,
further education or you'reunsure. I want you to remember
that the only person standing inyour way is you. If you wish to
be a high performing students,you can still be that person. If
(26:51):
you wish to achieve a careergoal that you think is
unattainable, I assure you thatit is attainable. I never
imagined that it would bepossible for me to get above a
3.5 in college, let aloneperfect grades. I worried
constantly about my inability totransfer to another university,
often waking up at 4am. From theanxiety it costs me. At the end
(27:13):
of the day, however, there is anew beginning in every area of
your life, it is possible foryou to find a new star in any
and every part of your life, itis possible for you to become
someone entirely else, and onlyknow that previous version of
yourself as a stranger. If Icould tell Maddie from four
years ago where she is now shewould likely laugh in my face
(27:36):
and go back to watching moviesinstead of studying. My point is
there is nothing off the table.considered this moment, your new
beginning, any regret ordisappointment you have is
nothing. It is the goals, thedesires and the dreams that you
have that mean everything fromthis point on. You don't have to
stand in the way of your dreamsbecause you do not think you are
(27:58):
worthy or qualified. You can bethat person that you want to be.
If you wish to see a change towhat your life looks like. I
urge you to take this graduationas your opportunity to transform
your world. And finally, in thewords of poet Ernest Henley, it
matters not how strait the gate,how charged with punishments the
(28:20):
scroll, I am the master of myfate. I am the captain of my
soul. Thank you.
Jason Varga (28:29):
What an awesome speech by Madeline and again if
you want to hear the full speechfrom rcbc 2023 valedictorian
chorus Madeline Armstrong, youcan watch and listen to it along
with the entire 2023 liberalarts graduation stream available
on our CBC YouTube channel. Andfor more information about our
CBC liberal arts program,including education, law and
public service communicationsbusiness a whole bunch more, you
(28:50):
can visit our cbc.edu and staytuned for the program pod
coverage of the stem and HealthSciences commencement dropping
later this summer. Till then wehave rcbc President Dr. Michael
COC to help us wrap up our 2023liberal arts commencement
podcast special
President Cioce (29:04):
I just want to congratulate all the members of
the Class of 2023. Graduates,you may now move your tassels
from your right to your left.
(29:25):
So before we conclude, I justwant to give another round of
applause for our faculty andstaff who have worked tirelessly
to prepare the next generationof leaders.
I want to give a big thank youto all the family and friends in
the audience or her watching whohave supported our graduates on
(29:48):
every step of this journey. Andone last final round of applause
to our graduates congratulationson your accomplishment take yeah
we're done that's a wrap
So, welcome to the program pod a national award
(00:03):
winning program on the RCBCPodcast Network, which takes a
deep dive into the programsoffered at rcbc through
different perspectives ofstudents, faculty and employers.
And this time, we're obviouslyagain, doing a little bit
different or a three part seriesfor the Commencement for 2023.
breaking it up to liberal arts,health sciences stem, but it is
(00:24):
liberal arts, and with me, aswe're doing our student speakers
is actually rcbc 2023.valedictorian, Madeleine
Armstrong. Madeleine, how youdoing?
Unknown (00:34):
Great. I'm so happy to be here. And I just am so
excited to chat with you today.
Jason Varga (00:39):
Right on! Well, what we got going on here is
you're sitting here for theprogram pod don't get to know
you a little bit. So you justhad a great speech out there.
First of all, how are youfeeling to where we started? Are
we about to get you in here?
Unknown (00:52):
Yeah, no, at the speech, I went way smoother than
I could have imagined. I wasvery nervous. I've been super
under the weather. So Idefinitely was a bit scared
today. And especiallyconsidering the the web and
feeling has been affecting myvoice. But I do think the speech
was great. And I feel awesome.I'm just happy it's over.
Jason Varga (01:13):
Yeah, I feel you with the voice. As I'm still
kind of on the little bit ofnasal congestion kind of going
on allergies and such. But yourspeech, it's out there, which
again, we're gonna give a littlebit of a clip later on.
Obviously, we're streaming outover YouTube. First of all, did
you how did you think ofPresident CoCs introduction to
you for you can be president andsuch?
Unknown (01:34):
Wow, it was very flattering. I definitely I
certainly, I don't know if Iwould have described myself in
such a way. But it was veryflattering. And I felt so
honored to be described in thatway. I mean, Supreme Court
Justice and future presidentthat's kind of crazy. But I feel
like it definitely did mejustice. It set me up for a
(01:54):
really good speech. Yeah,
Jason Varga (01:56):
I'm nervous at all I feel good about it. Went
through it all.
Unknown (01:59):
You know, honestly, I think because these are my peers
that I went to school with. Andjust being in an atmosphere
where I already felt socomfortable. Like the nerves
kind of left me. I definitelywas not. I was nervous. Last
night, I was feeling a littleunsure. And I especially with
everything going on with beingsick. I definitely was a bit
(02:23):
nervous, feeling a littlehesitant last night, but the
moment I got up there, I wasfeeling so comfortable. It was
great to be surrounded by peoplethat I know. And everyone was
just so supportive. So I was setup for success honestly,
Jason Varga (02:36):
seems like and obviously you're super prepared
person. We're gonna get into alittle bit of your bio, what was
going on? But first of all, whatled you to, let's say rcbc.
Unknown (02:46):
Right. So I graduated high school in 2020. And I did
not go right to college, therewas so much going on the
pandemic, I did not personallyfeel prepared for college. And
also, I just knew that I neededto wait some time. So I did a
service here with AmeriCorps.About halfway through that
service year, I just was feelinglike, I had matured in such
(03:10):
short time. But I also felt likeI wanted something to do, I
wanted something to apply myselfwith. So feeling very hesitant
and nervous. I did start with myfirst class at rcbc in the
spring of 2021. And it was justall online because COVID was
still pretty rampant at thattime and the offerings that they
had. Most classes were justfully online. So it was a
(03:33):
political science course that Istarted with. And it just kind
of was smooth sailing fromthere. That's that's how I got
involved.
Jason Varga (03:40):
Was that some political science? Like you knew
that's what you want to do rightout of the gate?
Unknown (03:44):
Oh, absolutely. I mean, it's funny, I always knew or
I've always known, I really dowant to go to law school. And
you think about law majors atthe cool thing about law school
is that there is no pre lawmajor, there's no set major. But
I also have always wanted tounderstand better how our
government how our countryfunctions, how politics, really
what politics is, and for a lotof people, you know, politics is
(04:07):
just at the at the base of it isjust decision making. So being
able to study and understand howhumans interact with each other.
That's just fascinating to me.And yeah, so and that actually
blossom into me picking upeconomics as my other major,
which was another, I definitelywould not have been possible
without rcbc.
Jason Varga (04:25):
So you graduated, you know, today, obviously
liberal arts and your associatesand stuff, but you're also your
rockers as well. Right?
Unknown (04:31):
Yeah. Rutgers New Brunswick,
Jason Varga (04:32):
right? And what are you studying there?
Unknown (04:34):
Economics and Political Science. I'm also doing a minor
in American studies as well.
Jason Varga (04:40):
That seems like quite the workload. Yeah. I've
Unknown (04:43):
set myself up for a lot of late nights, a lot of
studying, but I definitely feellike I can do it.
Jason Varga (04:49):
So in addition to all that, you're also interning
with the Department of thestates.
Unknown (04:53):
Yes. So I did DLs last year. I'm doing DOL right now.
And I'm specifically with theBureau of Labor Statistics at
the moment. Now DOL
Jason Varga (05:02):
is Department of Law, labor labor. Done with
download it for some of thelisteners out there. So many
Unknown (05:07):
acronyms, we have so many departments in this
country.
Jason Varga (05:11):
So what's next? I know you don't want log heads in
my notes here, you're looking togo to London as well. Yeah. So
Unknown (05:18):
I got accepted into a program with the London School
of Economics for like a summersemester kind of thing to study
abroad. And that's really cool.I also am interested in maybe
doing some graduate work there.I don't know what that would
look like, necessarily. I'm verycontent with this current
internship that I'm doing. Andit looks like that might be
something that I would beinterested in for after college,
(05:40):
but I've just kind of go tolike, go where the, my academics
take me. And if I if I end up inLondon, and I just love it, then
I probably will. I might justwant to stay there. But um,
yeah, that's, that's on my radarright now. That's next summer.
So I have a lot to look forwardto in the next year.
Jason Varga (05:59):
Yeah, I want to get back there myself. I was my
parents being both military, westill have out there and then
came back to the States.Actually, I used to have an
English accent, we wouldn't everbelieve it. Yeah, I lost it
going up to get over there. Butso why London School of
Economics.
Unknown (06:13):
So economics is really cool. Because you're looking at
the science of decision making,how are people making decisions
in every aspect of their lives,I think a lot of people have
this misconstrued understandingof what economics is, they think
of it as just a businessapplication. It's actually
funny. All of my professors, oneof the things that they will
emphasize is we are not part ofthe business school at Rutgers,
(06:35):
we are in the School of Arts andSciences, we are definitely not
a business degree. And so onereason that I became interested
in economics particularly isbecause it is like the practical
applications of politicalscience. It's where you get the
math, it's where you can see,you know, these things you're
learning in political scienceand have actual data and
(06:55):
statistics for them. So one coolthing about econ to me is that,
you know, I have a very firmunderstanding of the American
political economy, I understandthat I've been able to, that's
where most of my studies havebeen focused. So far in college,
I would like to have a general amore diverse view of economics
and the cool thing global. Yeah,and I think that that's so
(07:18):
important moving forward,especially for those who are
interested in being part of ourpolitical process. Having a
global understanding ofeconomics, having that
international experience, Ithink it just like anything, it
provides different alternatekind of viewpoints for when
you're going to make decisionsand when you're going to make
(07:38):
policy. And if you know, ofcourse, we have a really rich
history of economics here in theStates. But I do think that
something that I'm interested inis being able to if I am going
to be working in policy, I wantthat diverse background, I want
a different experience. I wantan education from someone who
isn't just teaching Americanpolitical, political economy,
(07:59):
and that's really important tome, do you
Jason Varga (08:01):
think rcbc kind of prepared you for that next
chapter?
Unknown (08:04):
Oh, absolutely. I mean, rcbc was a fundamental stepping
stone for me into it in terms ofgetting to where I am with my
current studies. It's actuallyfunny, I never really thought of
myself as maybe being interestedin economics. I know for myself,
I had to take micro, or I didn'thave to take it. But it was an
option here at rcbc, for part ofthe requirements for my degree
(08:26):
in political science. I tookmicro and I was like, this is
the most interesting class I'veever taken. And I, from that
point on, it was love at firstsight. I just constantly wanted
to be involved in economics. SoI actually, I finished out my
degree here in politicalscience, just completely in poli
sci. And then the moment Istarted at Rutgers this past
(08:47):
semester, it's all beeneconomics. So it's been really
cool. It's like, I have twoyears of Political Science two
years now to look towards, likeeconomics. And yeah, so I rcbc
was fundamental to that to thatprocess.
Jason Varga (08:59):
So what was the difference between, say, rcbc,
and then the four year school ofRutgers?
Unknown (09:04):
Yeah. So I mean, our CPC, it's top of the class, it's
top of the line, you reallycannot get and I, I actually
wrote a paper like two years agonow at this point on two year
colleges and four year collegesand the differences between
them. And I just think that rcbcis unparalleled. I mean, I look
(09:25):
at there's this stigma aroundcommunity colleges, and a lot of
it has to do with thisassumption that there's a lower
quality of education, right?Like anyone can enroll here, so
therefore, the faculty must beof lower quality. That's
absolutely not the case. I hadso many professors here who were
fundamental in terms of me,essentially developing who I am
(09:49):
as a person, but alsochallenging me and I was
challenged here quite a bit atrcbc in each of my classes, and
I think, you know, rcbc incomparison to a four year school
I have I miss rcbc quite a bit.Since being at Rutgers, I really
miss the connection that I hadwith my professors here because
I don't really, you really haveto fight for that at a larger
(10:10):
school, you really do. And notthat that's not worthwhile, it's
always worthwhile to fight foryour education. rcbc definitely
is a place where if you arelooking to develop your academic
skills and and really becomepart of a greater academic
community rcbc Was that placefor me? That's awesome.
Jason Varga (10:28):
And he said, You didn't like read or schooling or
write to rcbc wanted America andstuff. Maybe someone out there
too, is kind of going throughthat path, or they're
questioning themselves out ofhigh school, they don't know
what to do, where they're kindof going. So what advice would
you give someone else who wantsto kind of start, you know, a
new beginning like you did?
Unknown (10:44):
Yeah, I would say don't rush it. There's this pressure
on, particularly American, youngadults to just go go go and just
immediately jump into something,I would say, especially when it
comes to college, take yourtime, and really think about
what you want to do. I alwaysknew that college was going to
(11:06):
be for me, I just didn't knowwhen I needed that time to
develop as a person and mature.And I definitely will say it
paid off, I waited like sixmonths to start college instead
of jumping right in with therest of my peer group. And it
was tough the pressure, thesocial pressure of not being in
college, you know, not goingaway to school. There's this,
(11:27):
like, the college experience.It's this, this idea that, you
know, you go off to school, andyou have these all these amazing
experiences. It's not real, tobe honest with you. And I can
say that now, because I've bothbeen at rcbc, but also been in a
four year school. So I have bothexperiences, and it's very much
glamorized. And I think the bestthing I could have done for my
(11:49):
education was taking my timewith it waiting until I knew I
was ready. And then really justremembering why am I doing this?
I am doing it because I wantthat career. I want that that
future for myself. I'm not doingit because that's the
expectation or what peopleexpect of me. So definitely
taking the time to developyourself is essential.
Jason Varga (12:09):
Was there someone that inspired you along that
way? Oh, yeah, there's a need tobe teacher to be anybody.
Unknown (12:13):
My mom, my mom, for sure. She has been instrumental
in every single part of my life.I grew up in a divorced family.
And my mom really did raise us.For a long time, I'd say as a
single parent, and she is just atiger, she is a force to be
reckoned with, you know, she hada very difficult time as a young
(12:37):
adult, she lost her mother. Andin that process, she struggled
academically. But she that didnot stop her. If anything, it
really motivated her to keepmoving. She ended up getting two
masters degrees. And now sheworks in the government,
actually. And that's probablywhere I get my other. My other
inspiration for wanting to workin the government as well. But
(13:00):
she really is a force to bereckoned with. And she has just,
she just doesn't give up. Ithink that that's something that
like I think about her such thesituation she's been through,
she's had a very difficult setof circumstances, circumstances
throughout her life, and shejust does not stop. She's never
let that affect her fromreaching her goals. And so for
me, I have this person that Ilive with, and that I see every
(13:22):
day. And I just am constantly inawe of her, her just ability to
keep going. And for me, that'sbeen the greatest inspiration.
And I'm lucky enough that shealso happens to be my mom.
Jason Varga (13:34):
And I see where now you get a lot a lot of your work
ethic. Now my boss, Greg Volpe,who is the executive director of
strategic marketingcommunications here at the
college. He was telling me thatyour mom was streaming all the
way from Turkey.
Unknown (13:46):
Yeah, she couldn't be there graduation, I should say,
yeah, she could not be heretoday, which I was so sad about.
But she had this vacation planfor a very long time to Turkey
with some of her friends. And soshe was gonna watch she she
watched on the stream today. Iactually did see she sent me a
text message. And she, she lovedit. What was
Jason Varga (14:04):
it? So what's the time difference? There was like
10 o'clock here or something Idon't even know.
Unknown (14:09):
I'd like to say if I had to be certain. I think it's
I actually, I wanted to makesure I was falling along with
her time. So I on my clock app.I got it. I think it's eight
hours ahead. But I'll tell youright now, up till at 6:54pm.
That's not too bad. That's noteven eight hours. Is it? Seven.
So
Jason Varga (14:25):
that's all good. All right. So you have this work
ethic you're driving, everythingthat you do, is there downtime
for you to even have likehobbies or fun activities. What
are you doing when you do them?
Unknown (14:36):
So first of all, I'm a firm believer in balance. I
think I would not be able to dowhat I do without balance. You
can't just go 100% of the time.You can't. It's not possible and
it's also just not good for you.I have so many hobbies I love to
sing I love to dance. I love todraw. I love crafts, I love
anything that's creative. I alsoam a huge nerd. I love video
(14:59):
games. I actually, just as a, Iwanted to get myself a little
gift to commemorate thisoccasion. And I bought myself a
Nintendo Switch. Like literallyyesterday, get your Zelda I did.
I'm a big nerd, I loved theBreath of the Wild. And I just
got the tears of the kingdomgame. So I'm going to lock
(15:20):
myself in my room this weekendand do that you earned it. Yeah,
you know what I will say? Idefinitely, this was a tough
semester chill. So I feel like Ican self assured say, Yeah, I'm
happy. I earned it. But yeah,there's definitely also spending
time with your friends. I'm verymuch an introvert. But I do
think that having a propersupport group is essential for
(15:42):
you having success in theclassroom. And so I love
spending time with my friendsand my family. And yeah,
there's, I will say, there'sthis misconception that you have
to, like, have this verydisciplined. And discipline is
very important. But you have tohave this discipline, kind of
tunnel vision path in life, ifyou want to have perfect
(16:02):
everything. It's not true. Imean, I got my 4.0 that the same
time that I was also enjoying myhobbies, my games and stuff. And
I was making sure that I didprioritize the important things.
But I also recognize that theend of the day, those important
things mean nothing if you don'thave ways to celebrate them.
Yeah.
Jason Varga (16:21):
Anyone get burnt out, too. Oh, so no, no, yeah,
that's it's very important. Yousaid the balance is huge. So
yeah. So before we have some letyou go, cuz I know we're gonna
go onto your busy world and suchjust trying to get you in here.
What would it be? Again, we'regonna play a part of your clip
your speech a little bit lateron, and another full pot or the
full commencement speech thatyou did on our YouTube channel,
(16:44):
but some parting words of wisdomto your fellow graduates, you
know, what would you like tosay?
Unknown (16:51):
Yeah, I said, in my speech, I'll say it again, here,
the only person standing in yourway is you. That's just the
truth of it. Um, I, it took me awhile to understand that the
reason I was not succeeding theway I wanted to was because of
myself. That's a hardrealization to grapple with.
It's hard to admit thatsometimes you're the problem.
And I definitely have in theproblem, I've had circumstances
(17:12):
in my life that have definitelymade things much harder for me
at times, I grew up in atroubled household, I definitely
struggled with having friends inhigh school, struggled with
mental health issues. At the endof the day, I was the only
fundamental reason that I wasn'table to achieve the things that
I wanted to achieve in highschool. And when I realized
(17:32):
that, getting to college, itchanged my perspective, it
changed my life, it changedeverything. Everything that I do
was now centered around the factthat, hey, yeah, I don't want to
study maybe on like, a randomWednesday night, and I don't
want to, I don't want to have todo PreCalculus until you know,
like 11pm but the differencebetween me and someone else
who's not gonna get the gradethat I I get is that I am going
(17:55):
to put in that extra mile I amgoing to go the extra mile to
make sure that I don't inhibitmyself and that discipline. It
is priceless. So once you canteach yourself discipline and
you can rework your, your, yourmindset for living, changes
everything. So that's my little,my little like, bit of wisdom
for anybody.
Jason Varga (18:15):
Awesome. Well, again, thank you for coming on
the show. I'm gonna let yougonna go check on Barry out
there and everyone doing alltheir pictures and such we'll
speak with some other studentswhich we're going to hear from
some liberal arts graduates herefrom rcbc. Again, Madeleine
Armstrong, rcbc, 2023,valedictorian. Congratulations.
Good luck with everything, youknow, keep us posted. And you
(18:36):
know if you do become president,
Unknown (18:37):
so yeah, definitely vote for me.
Jason Varga (18:41):
Alright, as promised, we're now live on the
quality or the Commencement forliberal arts Jason Varga on the
streets as they say for the oldradio as it is behind. Here
behind Votto are all thestudents are kind of getting set
up and have my first student I'mgoing to be on here. What's your
name? Ashley Miller. AshleyMiller, I know you from
somewhere else, right. Alsoworking here too. But you're
(19:01):
gonna be graduating when youwhen you graduated with my
sociology
Unknown (19:05):
degree.
Jason Varga (19:06):
Who was your favorite professor?
Unknown (19:07):
Um, I have to say it's between Renita Brady and Jamie
judge.
Jason Varga (19:11):
Yeah. What were they teaching?
Unknown (19:14):
History and Sociology.
Jason Varga (19:16):
Okay, so what's your next step?
Unknown (19:18):
Where are we gonna go on from here? I'm going to Rowan
University in the fall.Sociology as well.
Jason Varga (19:23):
Yep. Okay, so one thing you're going to miss about
being here on campus.
Unknown (19:29):
The student life activities. I really enjoyed
that. And also the professors. Iwish that I could take them with
me because they they really madethis experience unique and
really helped me through it.
Jason Varga (19:40):
So, like, it was like me, I didn't have a bunch
of like energy drinks and coffeeand stuff. What did you live off
to kind of get that energy goingand going? Math. Math is energy.
Yeah. Interesting. Never was notexpecting that type of answer.
So. All right. So what campusbuildings you spend Most time
and then Laurel for sure.Laurel, which is usually where
(20:04):
all the liberal arts studentsare and such. So what would you
say to your fellow classmatesthat are graduating now?
Unknown (20:09):
Congratulations, you should be proud of yourselves
and really just take it in todayand do big things.
Jason Varga (20:16):
Okay, well, that's Ashley Miller. Gonna be
graduating for sociology. Sowe're gonna go on find our next
victim. Ashley, thanks forcoming on the show.
Unknown (20:25):
Thank you.
Jason Varga (20:26):
Welcome. What's your name?
Unknown (20:27):
Sandra.
Jason Varga (20:28):
Sandra sandwich. Last Name,
Unknown (20:29):
Sandra Royce. I'm sorry.
Jason Varga (20:31):
It's all good. Don't be nervous or anything.
Where are you from? Sandra.
Unknown (20:34):
I'm actually from Burlington County. But I'm
actually from Puerto Rico.
Jason Varga (20:39):
Nice. Well, so what brought rcbc though,
Unknown (20:42):
I'm a transfer from Palm Beach State College from
Florida, and moved to Florida,from Florida did to my family
living here in Jersey. So I justliked the idea of the reviews of
the school. When I was searchingaround, I found that this was
one of the best schools aroundthe area.
Jason Varga (21:00):
Well, congratulations. You're
graduating here for liberalarts? What was your major?
What's your specialization?
Unknown (21:05):
Business Administration?
Jason Varga (21:07):
Okay, what's the next plan after this after rcbc
Unknown (21:09):
I'm actually in a three plus one. So I'm staying here.
Just completed my bachelor'sdegree.
Jason Varga (21:15):
What's been your favorite experience so far here
been rcbc class classmatessomething, you know, standing
out
Unknown (21:22):
just to support overall the college. So parents and
employee also, I think they havea great system to support as
parents student. So there's agreat work balance, um, a
distant distance learning. Soit's been awesome just to have
the opportunity to complete mydegree and being able to
continue towards my bachelor's.That's just amazing. Yes. Do
Jason Varga (21:42):
you have a favorite snack in the vending machine?
Something that kind of kept yougoing during classes?
Unknown (21:46):
Yeah, actually, after work. I always join the Student
Center and the library to do allmy schoolwork. And yes, the
vending machine was like sneakertweaks and coke. That's just a
mix of keeping me up.
Jason Varga (22:01):
Okay, now, were you a caramel twigs or a peanut
butter Twix, caramel. Goodanswer. That's a good answer.
Okay. All right. Well, thanksagain. Did you want to say one
final word some of your fellowclassmates for graduation today.
Unknown (22:12):
Congratulation to OLS. And good luck on the next step.
And anything you had as a dream.You can do it, just go for it.
Thanks.
Jason Varga (22:19):
Well, thanks for coming on the show. Have fun.
All right. So J again, on thestreets here for the program,
pod outside voters. Everyone'sgetting lined up to get their
liberal arts degree. Who do Ihave with me? Caitlin lemon.
Unknown (22:28):
Heartland sprinkle. Okay, and
Jason Varga (22:30):
where are y'all from?
Unknown (22:31):
I grew up in Virginia.
Jason Varga (22:33):
How did you end up here?
Unknown (22:34):
I did military and got out came to be with family so
Jason Varga (22:37):
awesome. Well, thank you for your service. I'm
a military brat myself with myparents doing 20 years Air
Force. So Hamilton, where areyou from? Maple shade maple
shade. All right. So Wildcatright yeah, all right mix right
the right right in littlemascots there. I'm like bury the
mascots walking around heresomewhere and stuff. So
obviously congratulations ongraduating here with liberal
arts. So what was your major inspecialization? Inclusive
(22:59):
Education. Okay and yoursinclusive education. I both you
there so what's what's the nextstep then?
Unknown (23:05):
Final senior year at Rowan University. So we're part
of the three plus one program.
Jason Varga (23:10):
Very nice. Same thing for you then. Right. Okay.
So what was your favoriteexperience then? So far here at
rcbc. You can be here obviouslyon campus a little bit longer
and doing some classes thatcontinue three plus one but
favorite standout? Whether it'sProfessor class, I don't know
snack in the vending machine.
Unknown (23:26):
The friendships I made, but I also professor corvina.
Denton, she definitely made ourexperience great.
Jason Varga (23:31):
Yeah, she's awesome. I had her on the
program pod earlier. And she'sjust she, she always asked about
your glow moment. Yeah, yeah.See, I know the glow moment.
Unknown (23:39):
thing grows, what to do in education.
Jason Varga (23:42):
Right. So what's been your glow moment then if I
take one from her?
Unknown (23:46):
I'm probably for me. It would be how much I've grown
over the past year as aneducator like in the classroom
and teaching students and stuff.So it's been kind of nice to see
how much I've changed.
Jason Varga (23:56):
Awesome. Well, one final thought would you like to
say to your fellow classmates,as you know, we're all moving on
to the next step.
Unknown (24:03):
Don't give up and keep going. I changed my degree three
times. So keep it up. Good luckin everything you do. And you're
gonna succeed.
Jason Varga (24:11):
Well, I think you're all going to succeed too.
And congratulations, and havefun on your special day. You're
welcome. All right, anotherfellow graduate here for rcbc
What's your name? Jordan.Jordan. What's your last name?
Unknown (24:21):
Francis.
Jason Varga (24:21):
And where are you from?
Unknown (24:22):
I'm from Wilmington, New Jersey
Jason Varga (24:23):
number 10. Okay, so what was your first of all,
congratulations on graduatinghere at rcbc and liberal arts.
What was your specialization?
Unknown (24:29):
I'm a video and digital major video and digital media
production.
Jason Varga (24:33):
Okay, so you with Dr. Brooke Myatt? Do an
entertainment tech Okay, workwith her. She doesn't another
podcast here at the collegeshow. How's your experience
working with Brooke?
Unknown (24:41):
She's a good teacher. She's one of those professors
that if you put in the work,you're not gonna fail. So she
really gave you a lot ofopportunities during the
semester and for our classes tonot only just pass but Excel and
their courses. What
Jason Varga (24:52):
was your favorite experience so far? Being here at
rcbc? Um, I
Unknown (24:55):
have to say I feel like maybe like a year and a half
ago, maybe two years ago. Um, Idid a photography shoot for the
rcbc fashion show that they havefor the fall and spring. And
that was a very cool experienceto do just seeing all these
students get together andorganize that, like no adults,
like, put anything elsetogether, it was all a student
effort. And it was a greatturnout.
Jason Varga (25:15):
Yeah, and actually just had this year at the Cherry
Hill Mall. So it's kind of goingup, we might be able to, you
know, contributing towards that.So what's your next step here?
Unknown (25:23):
Right now, I'm just looking to work for freelance,
get my portfolio up. And thenI'm either gonna see what how it
works out, or I might go offand, you know, Google rowing
records to get that bachelor's.
Jason Varga (25:35):
Okay, awesome. And any parting words for your
fellow classmates heregraduating today?
Unknown (25:39):
Um, just take it one step at a time. You know,
sometimes we have a tendency tocompare ourselves to others. And
you know, social media is such abig thing nowadays. So we're
comparing ourselves to otherpeople. And you know, everyone
has their own pace. So justdon't compare and just do it at
your own at your own pace.
Jason Varga (25:58):
I love it. Good words. Again, congratulations
and enjoy and I'll let you kindof get ready to go get your
ceremony. All right, bringing itback to the program, pod studio
here as the rest of the studentscontinue to get ready for the
2023 liberal arts commencementthey would eventually line up by
vote a hall walk down the pathtowards the quad where the
ceremony was taking place. Yougot friends, family, you know,
co workers, everybody cheeringon their graduates out there on
(26:19):
a quad What a gorgeous day, bythe way, absolutely awesome
weather. But as promised, we'renow going to take a listen to
part of our CBCs 2023valedictorian Madeline
Armstrong's commencement speechto our classmates.
Unknown (26:30):
This is the message that I wish to convey to all of
you regardless of what your nextstep is, whether it be a job,
further education or you'reunsure. I want you to remember
that the only person standing inyour way is you. If you wish to
be a high performing students,you can still be that person. If
(26:51):
you wish to achieve a careergoal that you think is
unattainable, I assure you thatit is attainable. I never
imagined that it would bepossible for me to get above a
3.5 in college, let aloneperfect grades. I worried
constantly about my inability totransfer to another university,
often waking up at 4am. From theanxiety it costs me. At the end
(27:13):
of the day, however, there is anew beginning in every area of
your life, it is possible foryou to find a new star in any
and every part of your life, itis possible for you to become
someone entirely else, and onlyknow that previous version of
yourself as a stranger. If Icould tell Maddie from four
years ago where she is now shewould likely laugh in my face
(27:36):
and go back to watching moviesinstead of studying. My point is
there is nothing off the table.considered this moment, your new
beginning, any regret ordisappointment you have is
nothing. It is the goals, thedesires and the dreams that you
have that mean everything fromthis point on. You don't have to
stand in the way of your dreamsbecause you do not think you are
(27:58):
worthy or qualified. You can bethat person that you want to be.
If you wish to see a change towhat your life looks like. I
urge you to take this graduationas your opportunity to transform
your world. And finally, in thewords of poet Ernest Henley, it
matters not how strait the gate,how charged with punishments the
(28:20):
scroll, I am the master of myfate. I am the captain of my
soul. Thank you.
Jason Varga (28:29):
What an awesome speech by Madeline and again if
you want to hear the full speechfrom rcbc 2023 valedictorian
chorus Madeline Armstrong, youcan watch and listen to it along
with the entire 2023 liberalarts graduation stream available
on our CBC YouTube channel. Andfor more information about our
CBC liberal arts program,including education, law and
public service communicationsbusiness a whole bunch more, you
(28:50):
can visit our cbc.edu and staytuned for the program pod
coverage of the stem and HealthSciences commencement dropping
later this summer. Till then wehave rcbc President Dr. Michael
COC to help us wrap up our 2023liberal arts commencement
podcast special
President Cioce (29:04):
I just want to congratulate all the members of
the Class of 2023. Graduates,you may now move your tassels
from your right to your left.
(29:25):
So before we conclude, I justwant to give another round of
applause for our faculty andstaff who have worked tirelessly
to prepare the next generationof leaders.
I want to give a big thank youto all the family and friends in
the audience or her watching whohave supported our graduates on
(29:48):
every step of this journey. Andone last final round of applause
to our graduates congratulationson your accomplishment take yeah
we're done that's a wrap
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