Commonwealth University-Mansfield holds spring 2025 commencement ceremonies

Commonwealth University-Mansfield celebrated the graduating Class of 2025 during two commencement ceremonies held on Saturday, May 17, in Straughn Auditorium. Undergraduate students in the College of Health, Science and Technology; and the Zeigler College of Business, along with all associate and master's degree programs, were recognized in a ceremony held at 1 p.m. Undergraduate students in the College of Arts, Humanities, Education and social sciences were recognized in the 4 p.m. ceremony.

Nearly 200 members of the Class of 2025 received their degrees.

Speakers during both ceremonies included Dr. Gretchen Sechrist, interim vice provost, dean of undergraduate education and Mansfield campus administrator; magisterial district judge, Denise Dieter; Justin Knarr, Student Government Association president; and Bryan Lane, Mansfield Alumni Association president.

CU Council of Trustees representative and speaker at the first ceremony was Susan Kefover and at the second ceremony was Karen Russell.

"Your knowledge is a tool. Your passion is a guide. And your character is the foundation of the impact you will make," Sechrist said. "Do not be afraid to take risks. Do not be afraid to challenge the status quo. The most profound innovations, the most meaningful progress, the most lasting legacies all come from those who dared to dream boldly and act with purpose."

"Your time at Mansfield has been a dress rehearsal for the life that is only yours to lead," Dieter said. "Dare to do great things on a path that is traversed by leaps and bounds or even small steady steps. Know, always, that you are a part of a family of Mounties who support you and will be rooting for you."

"Life will take you to old and new places and the experiences, knowledge, and relationships you nurtured at Mansfield will go with you," Knarr said. " . Whatever you chose to study here at Mansfield has exponentially prepared you for the future. You are knowledgeable in your respective fields and have a fire to succeed."