Commencement ceremonies celebrate the GVSU Winter Class of 2025

Following her remarks, each ceremony's student speaker was introduced by Jenny Hall-Jones, vice president for Student Affairs. The student speaker at the Friday evening ceremony was Bex Takacs-Britz, who received a master's degree in student philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Saturday morning's student speaker was Anna Schlutt, who received a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy. At the Saturday afternoon ceremony, Cabdulcasiis (Abdul) Ciise, who received a master's degree in higher education, addressed the crowd.

"Today, we stand here-at the finish line of college, but the starting line of everything else," Ciise reflected in his remarks. "And yes, that same uncertainty we felt when we first walked onto campus might be creeping back in as we step into the unknown again. But this time, we are not the same people we were two, four, or six years ago. We are adaptable. We are resilient. We are Lakers."

Following remarks, Mantella welcomed several students in each ceremony to perform "A Million Dreams" written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.