The president will speak at Rutgers University's 250 Anniversary commencement.
NEWARK -- President Barack Obama landed at Newark Liberty International Airport Sunday morning en route to speak at Rutgers University's 250th commencement.
Air Force One hit the tarmac at 11:18 a.m. The president was greeted by a throng of media and elected officials, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
The president shook hands with some in the crowd before quickly making his way to Marine 1, the helicopter that shuttled him to High Point Solutions Stadium on the Busch Campus in Piscataway.
Bill Rush, a former Jersey City native, made the drive from Easton, Pa., to shake hands with what he called "a historic president."
"I'm not usually a Democrat guy," said the 66-year-old Rush. "But Obama has done an excellent job."
Rush said a small bout of rain and hail that came down just as Obama got off Air Force one only added to the excitement of meeting the president.
At Rutgers, where some 50,000 people awaited the president's arrival, a cheer erupted as military aircraft passed overhead. The president's helicopter flew over the stadium shortly afterward, at about 11:55 a.m. Obama entered the stadium moments later.
Security at the Piscataway campus is extremely tight, with all guests funneled through metal detectors. The university has banned many graduation themed items from the commencement including beach balls, balloons and air horns.
In advance of his speech, the outgoing president gave an exclusive interview to Rutger's student newspaper, the Daily Targum.
Obama's last visit to the Garden state was in November, when he announced a series of criminal justice initiatives by his administration.
The president returned to Newark Liberty International Airport at around 2:30 p.m. where he boarded the waiting Air Force One back to Washington, D.C.
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.