Commencement ceremonies celebrate the GVSU Winter Class of 2025

Over 3,200 members of Grand Valley's Winter Class of 2025 were celebrated during three Commencement ceremonies at Van Andel Arena on April 25 and 26.

Following the opening processional, the ceremonies began with remarks by Courtney Karasinski, chair of the University Academic Senate. President Philomena V. Mantella then welcomed graduates to this significant milestone, reflecting on her own journey to the Commencement stage. 

“When I was in your seat, I didn’t know where my path would lead. What I did know was that I wanted to live a life of meaning," Mantella said. "I wanted to honor my parents—who, like so many of your families, did not have the opportunity to go to college. They sacrificed so I could have choices. That has never been lost on me.

“I had no idea the sum of my many choices, missed steps and big leaps would lead me here to the best college presidency in the nation.”

This year’s guest speaker and honorary degree recipient, Rosalynn Bliss, was awarded an her honorary degree and addressed the Class of 2025 during the Friday evening ceremony. The former mMayor of Grand Rapids’ message inspired graduates to stay curious and to be a lifelong learner in whatever comes their way. 

“When I was your age, I had zero plans to run for office,” Bliss remarked. “My path took detours I never expected. Opportunities came up that I could never have imagined. I had to listen closely to my heart to decide what doors to walk through, and what doors to close. I had to learn to be open to new roles, new truths, and even new definitions of success. Sometimes that meant standing up for something unpopular. Sometimes it meant standing alone. But always, it meant listening. Staying curious. Staying teachable.” 

Following her remarks, each ceremony’s student speaker was introduced by Jenny Hall-Jones, vice president for Student Affairs. The student speaker at the Friday evening ceremony was Bex Takacs-Britz, who received a master's degree in student philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Saturday morning’s student speaker was Anna Schlutt, who received a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy. At the Saturday afternoon ceremony, Cabdulcasiis (Abdul) Ciise, who received a master’s degree in higher education, addressed the crowd.

“Today, we stand here—at the finish line of college, but the starting line of everything else,” Ciise reflected in his remarks. “And yes, that same uncertainty we felt when we first walked onto campus might be creeping back in as we step into the unknown again. But this time, we are not the same people we were two, four, or six years ago. We are adaptable. We are resilient. We are Lakers.”

MORE: Read about some graduates and their paths as Lakers.

Following remarks, Mantella welcomed several students in each ceremony to perform “A Million Dreams” written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

The conferring of degrees was led by Mantella and Jennifer Drake, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs.

Graduates moved their tassels and were dismissed as official members of the Winter Class of 2025.

Graduates and their supporters have the opportunity to purchase Commencement mementos as well as DVDs of each Commencement ceremony.