Kean University held its graduation ceremonies on Thursday – with some special guest speakers.

Famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson spoke at the ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark.

“You want to climb higher? Be ready to do some climbing after you get out,” Tyson said.

The university awarded more than 2,800 bachelor’s degrees this year.

Senior class president Glynnis Tan said that instead of saying goodbye to college, commencement is about saying hello to new beginnings.