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Seen from above, graduates wearing blue caps and gowns are seated in anticipation for Commencement.

GVSU in Photos: Celebrating Laker graduates at December 2025 Commencement

BY University Communications
Image credit - Top Image - Kendra Stanley-Mills

Dec 9, 2025
A smiling graduate wears his blue graduation cap over a blue Lions winter hat.
Kevarr Ellis, a Detroit Lions fan and human resources management major, poses before heading into the Commencement ceremony at Van Andel on December 6. “I’m excited to do what I want to do in life,” he said.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A couple kiss as they stand outside in a winter city scene.
Kaylee Williams, left, kisses her boyfriend Zach Binning before he heads into Commencement at Van Andel Arena December 6. Binning was getting his degree in business sports management.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A graduate wearing a black cap and gown hugs a friend as they both hold bouquets of flowers.
Chaniya Clark, a social work major, left, is surprised by best friend, Carmen Martin, who came to celebrate Clark’s graduation at Van Andel Arena December 6.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A person wearing glasses can be seen through a gap in a large Jenga game.
Jenny Hall-Jones, vice president for Student Affairs, plays a game of Jenga while waiting in the robing room before the Commencement exercises began.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A mother and daughter embrace as the daughter, wearing a blue cap and gown, prepares for Commencement.
Soon-to-be graduate Claire West gets a hug from mother, Erica Dooley, before entering the Fall Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena December 6. She graduated with a degree in Sculpture.
Image credit - Steve Jessmore
A graduate wearing a blue gown holds up an Anchor Up hand sign.
Kaila Krueger gives the Anchor Up sign while posing for a photo before the Fall Commencement ceremony in downtown Grand Rapids December 6. Krueger was receiving a degree in human resources.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A hand adorned with henna takes a selfie with a cellphone.
From left to right, Layla Mohamed and Selvedina Jukic, both nursing graduates, take a close-up .5 selfie before the start of Grand Valley's Fall Commencement.
Image credit - Emily Riddle
Graduates looking proud as they sit in caps and gowns and listen to Commencement speakers.
Soon-to-be graduates listen to the Commencement speaker during the Fall ceremony December 6 at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A student speaker gives a Commencement speech behind a lectern.
The ceremony’s student speaker was Y Hong Nhu Nguyen, who graduated with a master’s degree in communications.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown with adornments listens to Commencement speeches.
Kaya Watkins waits to cross the stage to receive a degree during the Fall Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Commencement speaker, John Keating, gestures behind a lectern while giving a speech.
Guest speaker John Keating, '79, longtime Detroit sports broadcaster, shared the astonishing impact his time at GVSU had on his life.
Image credit - Eliana McGlinchey
A smiling person holds papers as they prepare to give a speech during Commencement.
The Commencement ceremony's guest speaker was John Keating, '79, an accomplished Detroit sports news broadcaster and GVSU alumnus.
Image credit - Eliana McGlinchey
A man wearing a graduation gown shakes hands with a university president wearing academic regalia.
President Philomena V. Mantella thanks guest speaker John Keating, '79, following his speech.
Image credit - Eliana McGlinchey
A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown waves.
A graduate waves as they cross the stage during Commencement.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown hugs a university president after receiving their diploma.
A graduate hugs Philomena V. Mantella as they receive their diploma during Commencement December 6.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A smiling graduate wearing a blue cap and gown waves.
A graduate waves while walking across the stage during the Fall Commencement ceremony.
Image credit - Emily Riddle
A cutout of a person’s face wearing sunglasses hangs from a tassel at graduation.
“He’s eating this up in heaven right now,” said Hallie Husken. Husken’s uncle lost his battle with cancer at the beginning of the semester, so she honored him by hanging his picture on her tassel. Husken was receiving her degree in nursing during Commencement on December 6.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A large gathering of graduates wearing blue caps and gowns sit in an arena in front of banners and lights.
Graduates fill Van Andel Arena during the Fall Commencement ceremony December 6.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A university president in academic regalia shakes the hand of a graduate in a cap and gown.
President Philomena V. Mantella smiles and shakes the hand of a graduate as they cross the stage during the Fall Commencement December 6.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown smiles as they cross the stage.
Syone Usma-Harper, a GVSU football alum, smiles just before walking across the stage as a faculty member calls his name during Grand Valley's Fall Commencement.
Image credit - Emily Riddle
A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown makes a happy gesture as they cross the stage with their diploma.
A graduate reacts as they receive their diploma during the Fall Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown waves.
A graduate reacts as they receive their diploma during the Fall Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A group of smiling faculty members wearing academic regalia sit during Commencement.
Faculty members smile as they watch graduates they know cross the stage to receive their diplomas.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
Graduates wearing caps and gowns wave to their family and loved ones in the audience.
During President Philomena V. Mantella’s Commencement speech, she asked the graduates to turn and thank their families, loved ones and supporters in the crowd.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A small child hugs a college graduate in a cap and gown.
Addison Winnie, 8, left, hugs their aunt, Lauren Eades, who graduated with a nursing degree during the Fall Commencement ceremony December 6.
Image credit - Kendra Stanley-Mills
A graduate waves to family as their tassel moves in the air.
A graduate waves to family and supporters in the audience during Commencement.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
Graduates in blue robes and hats pass small beachballs in the air.
As the Commencement ceremony comes to a close, graduates pass around small beach balls while waiting to be ushered out of the stadium.
Image credit - Eliana McGlinchey
A graduate in a blue cap and gown poses next to a smiling person.
After the Commencement ceremony, Spirit Shauntee, left, poses with her family friend to commemorate the event.
Image credit - Eliana McGlinchey
A smiling graduate in a black cap and gown holds a young child in winter clothes.
Mohamed Ndiave, director of Development Services at GVSU, celebrates with his daughter, Sira, after graduating with his master's degree at the Fall Commencement ceremony at Van Andel Arena December 6.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter
A person smiles while holding several bouquets of flowers.
Amanda Vongkaysone celebrates her graduation from the Kirkhof College of Nursing with her loved ones. She received bouquets of flowers, one of which her boyfriend, right, made himself.
Image credit - Eliana McGlinchey
A large crowd of graduates find their family members and supporters after leaving an arena at night.
Graduates find their loved ones after leaving Van Andel Arena.
Image credit - Ashley Streeter

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