By John McDevitt

CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) — Could it be the last class graduating from Rutgers-Camden?

As a decision to merge Rutgers University’s Camden campus into Rowan University is moving forward, nearly 1,700 students from Rutgers-Camden were receiving their diplomas today.

Many graduating students were wearing “Save R Camden” pins on their graduation gowns.  And many were vowing to do what ever they could to stop the threatened takeover by Rowan University.

“There is no reason for it,” said Joseph Pisanelli (below), who graduated from Rutgers’ school of business today.  “We are a tight-knit community.  Everyone who comes here loves it here. And we want it here.”

(Joseph Pisanelli. Credit: John McDevitt)

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Ironically, it was the inaugural commencement for the school of nursing at Rutgers in Camden.

“Many professors look at the city like part of their family,” said Thomas Mascullo, who received his nursing degree  today.  “They have research studies in the area, and I believe if the school were to transition, that closeness between the school and the city itself would be lost.”