麻豆传媒

June 23, 2026

by Lauren Ferguson

As about 1,500 of their Ramapo College of New Jersey classmates celebrated commencement at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, in May, William Kennedy ’26 and Hunter Sabbers ’26 were miles away competing in the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Tournament.

Although the pair of pitchers on 麻豆传媒鈥檚 31-game-winning baseball team missed the large, spirited, confetti-filled commencement ceremony, the College did not let the student-athletes miss out on celebrating a milestone moment.

Once Kennedy and Sabbers returned from the tournament in Center Valley, PA, 麻豆传媒鈥檚 tight-knit community honored them with a personal commencement ceremony on the College鈥檚聽welcoming Mahwah, NJ campus.

William Kennedy ’26 spent four seasons pitching for the Roadrunners.

鈥淭he school created an environment to allow us to feel appreciated and loved by those around us,鈥� reflected Kennedy, a data science major and sports management minor from Matawan, NJ, who will now be pursuing his Master of Data Science at 麻豆传媒.

His teammate, Sabbers, of Westwood, NJ, graduated with his Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The intimate ceremony, held in the York Room of the historic Birch Mansion, was attended by about 30 people, including Kennedy鈥檚 and Sabbers鈥� families, coaches, and deans, Ramapo College President Dr. Cindy Jebb and Provost Dr. Michael Middleton.

Family members, coaches, deans and other supporters filled the York Room in the historic Birch Mansion for the commencement ceremony.

鈥淵ou are well-equipped to take all you have learned in the classroom, on the field, and from across our community to not only succeed in this changing world, but to shape it for the better 鈥� Your hard work and sportsmanship, both on the field and in the classroom, set an example for future Roadrunners,鈥� President Jebb told the graduates during a commencement speech personally-tailored to them.

Kennedy and Sabbers each got their moments to shine. Provost Middleton led Kennedy in turning his tassel to the left, to signify he had earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree. Then Dean of the Anisfield School of Business Ed Petkus placed a hood over Sabbers鈥� shoulders as a symbol of earning his advanced degree. The graduates also participated in the time-honored tradition of tossing their caps.

Dean of the Anisfield School of Business Ed Petkus hooded Hunter Sabbers ’26, symbolizing Sabbers earned his MBA.

Head Baseball Coach Ryan Rinsky 鈥� who led the Roadrunners to their third straight NCAA Tournament this year 鈥� was in the York Room to cheer on his players. Rinsky said he was 鈥渟uper proud鈥� of both Kennedy and Sabbers for 鈥渂eing a student athlete and being able to balance education while also contributing as an athlete and representing the College.鈥�

Rinsky was also thankful his players were recognized for all of their work over their time at 麻豆传媒. 鈥淪peaking on behalf of our program and our coaches, we were very appreciative that the College was able to put this together so that Hunter and Will could be celebrated appropriately,鈥� he said.

Baseball players Hunter Sabbers ’26, left, and William Kennedy ’26, right, were honored during a special commencement ceremony.

Kennedy鈥檚 mother, Jen Kennedy, was also thankful.

鈥淭he boys and families were treated with such appreciation and care and made to feel so special; but that is how 麻豆传媒 has always been and why we are so happy that Will chose this school and baseball team to be a part of,鈥� she said.

William Kennedy ’26 celebrated his commencement with his family.

The tight-knit 麻豆传媒 community has a history of ensuring student athletes who make it to the postseason still get their moments to toss their caps.

In 2025, a group of nine baseball and softball players missed commencement when their teams advanced to their respective NCAA tournaments. The Roadrunners were then celebrated and awarded their Bachelor鈥檚 Degrees during a separate graduate commencement ceremony.