Celebrating the Class of 2025: A day of reflection and new beginnings

Beneath a sky of clouds and intermittent sunshine and against the iconic backdrop of Old Morrison, Transylvania University marked a milestone moment for the Class of 2025. The annual commencement ceremony brought together students, families, faculty and friends to celebrate a journey shaped by perseverance and personal growth. For the 232 graduates crossing the stage, it was more than a final step — it was a launch into what comes next.

A legacy of scholarship and impact

The graduates of 2025 represent a cohort marked by resilience and purpose. Nearly 60% earned Latin honors, a testament to their academic dedication. Graduates are preparing to pursue graduate or professional studies or entering the workforce in fields as diverse as education, health care, science, business, public service and the arts. Others will dedicate time to service through programs like the Peace Corps or take opportunities through fellowships and specialized internships.

From first steps to forward motion

Graduating senior Bree-Anna Partin notes, “We’re not just leaving Transy. We’re leaving a kind of home.” Her words captured the sentiment shared by many.

For the Class of 2025, their first year at Transy was marked by the shadow of a global pandemic. They began their journey in uncertainty and isolation, but slowly — and together — they built a thriving community.

“While places and faces might change, this remains true: Transy has taught me how to be a part of something bigger than myself,” says Isa Slaughter.

Words to remember: A student’s call to action

Student speaker Alicyn Croley, a philosophy and political science double major from Williamsburg, Kentucky, issued a powerful message inspired by retiring political science professor Don Dugi: “Leave every person and place better than it was found.”

Croley reflects, “Transy didn’t just teach us to think. It taught us to care. To notice. To take responsibility for what’s around us.”

Her call to action resonated with the entire class — a generation shaped not just by education, but by how they chose to show up in the world.

Defining a generation of pioneers: The Transylvania University Class of 2025

These new alumni understand that growth isn’t linear. They’ve learned to embrace setbacks as part of the journey and recognize that their time at Transy has prepared them to step confidently into the next chapter. With a spirit rooted in creativity, compassion and intellectual rigor, they carry forward the values that define a Transylvania education.

As they join the alumni community, the Class of 2025 stands as a generation of pioneers — ready to lead, inspire and make meaningful impact beyond campus.