May 2025

May 2025 ..................... Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Rutgers Commencement

The excitement is building for Rutgers' commencement season!

The 259th Anniversary Commencement at Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Health will occur on Sunday, May 18, at SHI Stadium. This ceremony features commencement speaker Peter Seligmann, a Rutgers alumnus and pioneering conservationist and global environmental leader with nearly four decades of experience advancing equity, ecological health, and economic vitality.

Individual convocation ceremonies for the various Rutgers schools occur from May 6 to May 22. Be on the lookout for graduates across campus and throughout town, and say congrats!

EVENTS, PERFORMANCES, AND FILMS

Join DiscoTECH at Zimmerli Art Museum on May 9, showcasing a design justice approach to engagement with generative AI; imagine a high-tech science fair but with music and art. Learn more about community-facing research, critical AI literacies, and the future of human-technology interaction. Free.

The monthly New Brunswick Car Shows on George Street return May 15 with this month's show featuring Corvettes. Free. You must register to have your vehicle featured.

George St. Playhouse presents The Shark Is Broken, the Olivier Award-nominated play that tells the story of the legendary actors of Jaws—Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, and Richard Dreyfuss—coming face-to-face with their most absurd challenges during the filming of this iconic blockbuster, through May 18.

NJ Jerk Festival 2025, the ultimate Caribbean food and music celebration, heads to Boyd Park in New Brunswick on May 24. Sample Caribbean fare from food trucks, discover unique crafts and merchandise from local artists and businesses, and learn about inspiring non-profit organizations doing great work in the community.

New Jersey’s top youth talent takes the stage as Jersey Talent returns to the State Theatre New Jersey on Saturday, June 1. Finalists ages 8–25 will showcase their skills in an exciting evening of music, dance, and more.

LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS, AND WEBINARS

Considering summer courses? There's still time to register for Rutgers Summer Session. Explore the schedule of classes with 1,300+ offered course sections and register before classes begin in late May.

Join the Culinary Conversations series as NBPAC welcomes Alex Guarnaschelli on May 12, as the Iron Chef, Food Network Star, and executive chef participates in a discussion moderated by New Brunswick's own The Restaurant Guys. A portion of the ticket sales proceeds benefit Elijah's Promise, Promise Culinary School.

Zimmerli Art Museum hosts a virtual artist talk with Michael Namingha (Tewa/Hopi) who will discuss his art-making practices and artwork on view in the Zimmerli exhibition "Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always" on May 12, via Zoom. Free.

The Rutgers Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance is now enrolling for the Summer and Fall 2025 cohorts. Enroll now to become an ICF-certified coach. Dive into tough executive coaching problems, based on actual cases, throughout this 132-hour program over four months, including practice coaching sessions, individual and team online meetings, and independent readings. The summer session begins May 28.

FOR KIDS

360 ALLSTARS brings a kid-friendly extravaganza to the State Theatre New Jersey on May 22 with BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming, and more. A phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation, 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Start your Sunday with Yoga at The Yard by Garden of Healing Yoga & Wellness. Free.

Rutgers Athletics has announced Homecoming & Family Weekend will take place on October 18, with Oregon visiting SHI Stadium for the first time. Also, Rutgers Football season tickets are now on sale.

Rutgers Athletics has a full schedule of summer camps. The Rutgers Athletics coaching staff will host a variety of summer camps and training opportunities for children of a wide range of ages and various skill levels. These camps are led by dedicated and expert instructors who will guide children through their training and skill development.

SCIENCE AND NATURE

Cook’s Market at the Rutgers Gardens opens for the season on May 16 with fresh and locally grown produce and a variety of products. Open every Friday, rain or shine.

Observe the night sky through a 20-inch optical telescope at the Robert A. Schommer Astronomical Observatory on Rutgers' Busch Campus. Public open viewing nights are scheduled for May 8, 15, and 22, weather permitting. Free.

Immerse yourself in nature at the Rutgers Ecological Preserve and Natural Teaching Area, a 360-acre wooded preserve between the Busch and Livingston campuses in Piscataway. Free.

AROUND TOWN

New Brunswick Bike Exchange is in need of donations. If you are in Central New Jersey and have bikes available to donate, volunteers will pick them up.

Meals on Wheels of Greater New Brunswick invites you to a Royal Garden Party fundraiser at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick on May 9.

Gentiva Hospice of Piscataway is looking for volunteers to provide companionship to their patients for a few hours each month. Training and orientation are provided. Give back to your community and learn about caring for the elderly in a hospice and palliative care setting.

Keep our community healthy! COVID-19 testing and vaccines are available in various locations throughout New Brunswick. Free.

NEW IN TOWN

Haraz Coffee, 385 George Street, New Brunswick

Chai Chenak Cafe, 351 George Street, New Brunswick

DATES TO KNOW

Rutgers Last Day of Classes

May 5

Rutgers Exams

May 8-14

Rutgers Commencement

May 18 (SHI Stadium)

May 6-22 (other ceremonies)

Rutgers Summer Session Begins

May 27

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