Meet Stevens’ 11 First in Class Graduates of the Class of 2023
Representing eight majors from three schools and hailing from five states, these 11 students all have one thing in common: They will graduate with a 4.0 GPA this year and have earned the highest academic distinction of first in the Stevens Institute of Technology Class of 2023.
Meet this year’s First in Class students who will receive their degrees at the 151st Commencement ceremonies on May 24.
Murad Arslaner
Bachelor of Engineering in computer engineering
Extras: Member of Tau Beta Pi and IEEE Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society
What’s Next: Arslaner will work for L3Harris as a software engineer.
THE TIMES I REMEMBER BEST are when my friends and I would just hang out in the lounges in Humphreys or Davis and just talk about life, help each other study, watch movies, play games, etc., without a care in the world.
DON’T STOP FOLLOWING YOUR PASSIONS. After graduation, you still have 40 or so years of your career. Don’t waste all your time living to work; keep learning new things, taking up new hobbies, keeping in touch with friends and family, and seeing the world.
Ryan Clark
Bachelor of Science in computer science
Extras: Member of the Stevens Cybersecurity Defense Team and intramural sports leagues
What’s Next: Clark is beginning his career at Bank of America as a software engineer.
THE COURSES I TOOK AT STEVENS exposed me to a wide variety of industry-used technologies that allowed me to hit the ground running when I started my internship at Bank of America. I am well prepared for whatever I choose to go into.
I’M EXCITED TO START MY CAREER and begin exploring different areas of computer science through hands-on experience. I’m looking forward to being able to narrow my focus on one thing, and to figuring out what I want that thing to be.
Matthew Del Rosario
Bachelor of Engineering in biomedical engineering
Extras: Member of Tau Beta Pi and Alpha Eta Mu Beta
What’s Next? Del Rosario is continuing his education at Stevens to complete a master’s in biomedical engineering through the accelerated master’s program. He will then start his career at Picatinny Arsenal.
STEVENS HAS PROVIDED ME WITH NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES to hone and practice soft skills through extracurricular activities, and the academic background I got from my classes gives me a strong foundational knowledge that can be applied to virtually any practical engineering problem.
THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS UNIVERSAL TRUTHS, which extends to there being no universal solutions. Work honestly and to the best of your abilities and be proud of the outcome because it is something only your knowledge and judgment can created.
Jordan Fernandes
Bachelor of Engineering in software engineering with a minor in computer science.
Extras: Member of the Stevens Christian Fellowship and served on the executive board as outreach chair in 2022
What’s Next: Fernandes is pursuing openings with companies in the software, finance and defense sectors.
THERE WERE SO MANY DUCKS. Many, many, MANY ducks. For the events you go to, if there’s a concession table, there will often be rubber ducks on hand as souvenirs. If you’re lucky, they’ll hand out duck plushies. Club logos? More ducks. The merch and school planner? Ducks again. And, of course, one of the first things you learn upon entering Stevens is the dance. Ducks are amazing.
I DEFINITELY PLAN TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH MY STEVENS NETWORK post-graduation, and even in the workforce, I’m going to keep learning about new software and new technologies. These relationships and learnings don’t end even after you leave Stevens. I’d say it’s just the end of a beginning chapter, in what now becomes something new in and of itself.
Zachary Kermitz
Bachelor of Engineering in computer engineering with a minor in computer science
Extras: Member of Tau Beta Pi and the Entertainment Committee, where he was on the executive board and Duck After Dark chair
What’s Next? Kermitz is pursuing job opportunities in software engineering around Hoboken and New York City.
WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT STEVENS IS THE TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY fostered by the perfect size of the school. It’s large enough to have a diverse student population and provide many opportunities to meet new people, however it is not so big that you feel overwhelmed and lost. In my opinion, it’s the “sweet spot” of seeing new faces while simultaneously always being able to find a quiet spot on campus to study or hang out with friends.
I AM EXCITED TO USE THE KNOWLEDGE I’ve gained over the last 16 years of schooling to play an active role in the development of future technology. I’m also excited to travel and explore the various cultures of the world with my friends and family.
James Jack Lepore
Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in computer science with certificates in software engineering, software design and development and databases
Extras: Served as president of the Stevens Christian Fellowship and was a peer leader
What’s Next? Lepore is beginning his career at Comcast NBCUniversal as a CORE technology associate.
WHAT WILL I MISS MOST? THE VIEWS! Just kidding, though they are amazing. I’m really going to miss the group of people that I’ve grown with over the past few years. The hours of studying in the North Building conference rooms, the game nights that go until 3 a.m., the PATH rides into the city to do something fun and random — through all these experiences and more, I’m incredibly grateful for my friends who have helped shape me and my Stevens experience.
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE STEVENS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP IS A NIGHT I’LL NEVER FORGET. I was having a pretty anxious start to my first semester, but I ended up taking a chance on a Wednesday night to go over to the meeting in Babbio 319. That night, I felt personally welcomed for the first time, and the speaker addressed some of the exact worries that were weighing me down.
Eden Luvishis
Bachelor of Science in quantitative finance
Extras: Member of Student Government Association, Student Managed Investment Fund, Gear & Triangle Leadership Honors Society, Society of Women in Business, Panhellenic Society, Undergraduate Student Advisory Board, Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, Pinnacle Scholars, Theta Phi Alpha, Russian Culture Club, Jazz Band and was an undergraduate tour guide
What’s Next: Luvishis is attending Stanford University to pursue a master’s in computational and mathematical engineering.
GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE! Join a club, a Greek organization or an intramural sports team that you never thought you would. It’s how I ended up meeting my closest friends in college.
IT’S OK TO NOT KNOW what’s coming next or what to do next. I certainly don’t have everything figured out. Take things one step at a time and turn those ‘unknowns’ into opportunities instead of hindrances.
Nicolas Gareth Maritz
Bachelor of Science in business and technology with concentrations in management and information systems
Extras: Maritz was on the varsity men’s soccer team and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma.
What’s Next? Maritz is attending Harvard Law School to pursue a Juris Doctorate.
I’LL NEVER FORGET WINNING THE MAC FREEDOM CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP with the soccer team last year. It was a beautiful culmination of all the hard work the entire team put in, starting in August of the summer prior.
ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. As we start this new chapter of our lives, it is important that we be adaptable to change. However, it is equally, if not more, important to be true to the core aspects of what makes us who we are.
Ronnie Melao
Bachelor of Engineering in engineering management
Extras: Melao is a six-time captain for the cross country and track and field teams; the service chair of Tau Beta Pi; a Pinnacle peer advisor; a member of the Pinnacle Planning Committee and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
What’s Next? Melao is pursuing a master’s degree in systems engineering at Stevens.
MY FONDEST MEMORY OF STEVENS IS HAVING TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY PRACTICE every day. Seeing the faces of my teammates and working together to achieve success is always the best part of my day.
AT STEVENS, YOU ARE REWARDED FOR HARD WORK. This is true in the classroom, in athletics and in any other extracurriculars. If you want to achieve something, you can do it if you put in the right amount of work.
Bryan Mucha
Bachelor of Engineering in mechanical engineering.
Extras: Pinnacle Scholar and member of Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma
What’s Next? Mucha is returning to Stevens in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
STEVENS IS A FANTASTIC PLACE, FILLED WITH GREAT PEOPLE. The students and faculty are incredibly friendly, helpful and have made my time at Stevens a pleasure.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO WORK HARD AND STUDY, BUT ALSO TAKE THE TIME TO HAVE FUN. Close the books sometimes, go out and explore Hoboken or the city and make some memories.
Hikmat Sabeh
Bachelor of Science in business and technology
Extras: Member of the men’s track and field program and president of Beta Gamma Sigma
What’s Next? Sabeh is starting his career at JP Morgan Chase & Co. as a senior analyst while completing an MBA through the accelerated master’s program.
THE PROFESSORS I’VE HAD IN THE BUSINESS DEPARTMENT WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY to not only help me secure a job but guide me as mentors and as friends during my unique college experience. They truly wanted to see me succeed.
STOP MANAGING TIME AND START MANAGING FOCUS. When you start managing focus, time is on your side. If you start managing time, time is against you. I've learned this lesson throughout my academic journey, which has been instrumental in my success.