Oglethorpe University’s commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3 honored those whose hard work has paid off. The ceremony celebrated faculty and student award winners and welcomed community and campus leaders to the stage.

Many members of the Class of 2025 began during the COVID-19 pandemic and arrived on campus as Oglethorpe coped with social distancing and emerging from an isolating lockdown. The class helped the university regain its footing and relaunch in-person campus events, embodying the spirit of the Stormy Petrel and the motto, “Nescit cedere.”

The ceremony began with a welcome from Dr. Kathryn McClymond, who thanked this year’s class for supporting her during her presidential inauguration. In celebrating their accomplishments and leadership, she pointed out that they learned to think critically, communicate effectively, succeed ethically, and serve wholeheartedly, no matter the circumstances.

Carol Tomé, the 12th chief executive officer in the 118-year history of United Parcel Service, and previously executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Home Depot, Inc., served as this year’s guest speaker and received an honorary degree in recognition of her career and community engagement.

“You have learned how to question assumptions, to think critically, to communicate with clarity and conviction,” said Tomé. “And perhaps most importantly, to engage with the world around you. You have found the courage to ask hard questions, to push boundaries, to be leaders.”

The class also heard from Senior Class President Nathania Adhisty ’25.

“As we step into this next chapter, whether it’s a job, more school, or still figuring things out, I hope we remember how far we’ve come. We’ve already proven that we’re capable. We’ve already proven that we’re worthy and that we are enough,” she said. “But our story doesn’t end with a diploma. It begins with how we show up in the world with the truths we carry and the ways we choose to speak and lead and build something better.”

This year’s “Seniors for Students” giving campaign, benefiting the Housing Support Fund—a fund that allows for students to become fully immersed in Oglethorpe without having to worry about a financial burden—exceeded its goal with more than 175 gifts from graduates.

This year’s ceremony also honored 17 graduates of the William Q. Hammack School of Business’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, who showed a tremendous sense of pride in their degrees.

Several highly regarded faculty and student awards were presented during the ceremony as well.

Dr. Allison Roessler received the Lu Thomasson Garrett ’52 Award for Meritorious Teaching. This annual award honors faculty who represent outstanding pedagogical skills as recognized by both students and fellow faculty members.

Dr. Cassandra Copeland received the Vulcan Materials Company Award for Teaching Excellence and Leadership, considered to be one of the highest honors for a faculty member. Established in 1992, this award comes with a cash prize from the Vulcan Materials Company through the Georgia Independent College Association and Oglethorpe University.

Graduates John S. Erckert ’25 and Lyric Scott ’25 were both awarded the Sally Hull Weltner Award, which honors the student in the graduating class who has attained the highest grade-point average with the greatest number of hours in coursework completed at the university.

The James Edward Oglethorpe Award was presented to Citlali Gervacio Zavala ’25 and David Ricardo Martinez-Alvarez ’25. These awards are presented annually to two individuals in the graduating class who, in the opinion of the faculty, have excelled in scholarship, leadership and character.

Note: TSS Photography captured individual photos of each graduate at the ceremony on stage with President McClymond and Board Chair Tammy Pearson ’86, and immediately after exiting the stage. Students will receive a direct email to their Oglethorpe University inbox after the ceremony to access their individual photos.

The livestream recording of the ceremony may be viewed on Oglethorpe’s YouTube channel, and additional photos and video from the ceremony and other commencement events are below.