Bridgewater College recognized 322 undergraduate and 30 master’s students receiving degrees on Saturday, May 3, during the College’s 145th Commencement ceremony. The degrees were conferred by Dr. David W. Bushman, President of Bridgewater College.
After Grand Marshal Dr. Edgar Lickey, Associate Professor of Biology, called the ceremony to order, Bridgewater Trustee Rev. Dr. Paul Mundey, Laura Alinani ’25, Emily Martinez ’25, Mayssa Salameh ’25 and Jana Shyti ’25 shared invocations in English, Albanian, Spanish, Arabic and Turkish.
Bushman welcomed the gathered family, friends, faculty, staff and others to the ceremony and thanked them for their support of the graduates.
Chair of the College’s Board of Trustees D. Bruce Christian P’06 then spoke to the Class of 2025, encouraging them to go on to live principled and productive lives, whatever work they choose.
President of the College’s Alumni Association Jill Early ’91 congratulated the graduates and welcomed them to the family of BC alumni living and working around the world: “You are now one of us.”
Andrea Nissley ’95, M’25 spoke on behalf of the graduate program candidates. Nissley, a master of arts in digital media strategy student, told of her experience returning to Bridgewater for her second degree almost 30 years after her first: “Education has no age limit. And it is never too late to chase your dreams.”
Senior Class President Erica Nelson ’25, a biochemistry major, reminded students that BC is “more than a place, it is a foundation, a community and a home.” She also presented the class gift: a contribution to the John Painter and Vashon “J.J.” Jefferson Memorial Student Support Fund.
Ally Phalen ’25, recipient of the 2025 BC Founder’s Day Award and a psychology major, reminded her fellow graduates of the variety of experiences they had during their time at BC and the bonds that they formed as a result. “These relationships are more than just the connections made in College, they are the foundation of our growth and success.”
Following the reflection, Ashlyn Fogleman ’25, Julia Garber ’25, Abby Nester ’25, Parker Sale ’25 and Hannah Simmers ’25 performed “Earth Song” by Frank Ticheli.
Dr. Jeffrey W. Carter ’92, President of Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., served as the Commencement speaker. In his address, “Be Curious,” Carter encouraged students to use the knowledge and skills that they developed at Bridgewater to approach the world with an open mind and a desire to continue learning.
“You are commencing into a crazy time of dissonance and disruption. Everything seems to be in flux: the economy, the government, world affairs and even higher education,” Carter said. “But you are perfectly, uniquely educated for this very moment.”
Carter reminded graduates that the knowledge and skills they acquired from their liberal arts education, particularly critical thinking skills and an interdisciplinary perspective, will serve them well in any career.
“Whatever markers of success you pursue, here is my advice: be curious… Within it lies great opportunity and the possibility of connections,” he said. “Opportunity and connections are always possible, especially in these times of dissonance and disruption. All it takes is a little curiosity.”
Among the 322 undergraduate students in the class of 2025, 172 earned bachelor of arts degrees and 150 earned bachelor of science degrees. Thirty-one members of the class graduated summa cum laude—the top academic honor which requires students to achieve at least a 3.9 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Fifty-three graduates earned magna cum laude honors—a 3.7 or better average. Cum laude honors, requiring a 3.4 grade point average, were earned by 61 graduates.
Bridgewater College graduated students from four different master’s programs. Four students graduated with a master of science in psychology—mental health professions; seven students graduated with a master of arts in digital media strategy; three students graduated with a master of science in athletic training; and 16 students graduated with a master of science in human resource management.
– Heather S. Cole
5/3/25
