An event decades in the making took place Monday when the inaugural class of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University — surrounded by hundreds of family, friends, faculty and dignitaries — graduated.

The commencement ceremony in Camden featured several speakers including N.J. Gov.. Chris Christie, who commented how great it was to see a project he helped support back when the school’s $139 million education building was just a rendering on a poster board reach such a milestone.

Addressing the graduating class, Christie told the new doctors, “You are the first tangible evidence of Camden’s future and I am extraordinary proud to be here to make that acknowledgement to each and every one of you.”

Rowan CEO Ali A. Houshmand also praised the students for their accomplishment and urged them to consider practicing medicine in New Jersey after their residencies.“It’s time to stay here and take care of our own,” Housmand said.

Camden Mayor Dana Redd commended the school’s administrators for encouraging community engagement and thanked the student body for dedicating their time beyond providing health care to activities such as tutoring and mentoring the city’s youth, coaching sports and teaching English to Spanish speaking adults.

"They have set quite a high standard for all those who follow,” Redd said.

For more on Cooper Medical School's first graduating class, visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/05/09/cooper-medical-school-first-graduation-doctor-rowa.html