The largest undergraduate class in Wesleyan University history processed down Foss Hill to the tune of West African drumming, passing by the people who supported their academic and personal journeys as they made their way to Denison Terrance to receive the culmination of their efforts—a diploma.
At its 193rd Commencement, held on Sunday, May 25, Wesleyan conferred 875 Bachelor of Arts degrees, four Bachelors of Liberal Studies, 45 Masters of Arts, 20 Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies, one Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts, and 12 Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
The University awarded honorary degrees to three individuals who have worked to progress and strengthen our democracy: Co-Founder and Executive Director of Protect Democracy, Ian Bassin ’98, Hon.’25, who delivered the Commencement address; former Director of the National Economic Council, Lael Brainard ’83, P’22, Hon.’25; and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Southern California, Percival Everett Hon.’25.
The Class of 2025 has seen tremendous change in the world outside of campus during their years at Wesleyan. Many arrived in face masks, and they will leave in caps and gowns. While they were on campus, they pursued new interests, gained from and contributed to their community, and grew as learners and as citizens.
Oliver Clarke ’25, chemistry major, reinvented himself while at Wesleyan. He said he is “unrecognizable” from his first-year self. He came to the school largely focused on soccer—playing for two seasons as a defensive midfielder—but has since diversified his interests. According to Clarke, he picked up the guitar, dove into chemistry research, and has become a more structured person.
“I'm proud of myself for challenging myself to explore many new things and growing in my resilience and confidence in myself,” said Sarah Huang ’25, a Science and Technology Studies major who tutored for the Center for Prison Education. “Because we studied so many different things, I'm able to approach new challenges with a stronger sense of what I can do. I feel more confident going into the unknown.”
Student speaker Kyle Burbage ’25, economics and film studies double major, described Wesleyan as “a community that will forever connect us.”
“The truth is, every single one of us has faced a hardship,” Burbage said. “And I know, without a doubt, that every single one of us has helped a friend through theirs. That is who we are. That is what this place has made us. And that resilience, that support, will continue to carry us forward.”
Like many of the graduates who completed their degrees on Sunday, when Bassin was a student, he felt the power of the Wesleyan community. In the fall of 1995, he and a small group of students grew frustrated with Congressional attempts to cut federal student aid, so they took action. As he described in his speech, they posted signs across campus inviting students to meet and do something about it. He said he expected a handful of students, but an entire lecture hall’s worth of students showed up and started a cross-country movement opposing the cuts.
“We organized, built a national student movement, and working with administrators and lawmakers to oppose the cuts—we won,” Bassin said. “It was my first real experience of democracy and of our power as citizens within one.”
Now, in a moment of continued threats to democratic institutions, Bassin urged this class of graduates to do as he did and be the spark of action, then act collectively to preserve democracy, and work to build the nation anew.
“When the freedom of any one of us is endangered, act as if the freedom of all of us is, because it is,” Bassin said in his rousing address, which ended with the entire audience on its feet. “Rather than demonize those with whom we disagree or impose purity tests, we must forge common cause with the broadest possible coalition in defense of our Republic.”
In his address to the Class of 2025, President Michael S. Roth ’78 said he is hopeful that the next generation in this country may be able to build a political environment and culture fueled by compassion rather than fear and resentment. “I know that you will find new ways to make connections across cultural borders—new ways to build community,” Roth said. “When this happens, you will feel the power and promise of your education. And we, your Wesleyan family, we will be proud of how you keep your education alive by making it effective in the world.”
Roth also defended the value of equity, diversity, and inclusion. brings. “Free expression becomes powerful when the commitment to diversity creates dynamic yet safe enough spaces for people with very different views to explore those differences.”
Brainard credited Wesleyan friendships and faculty mentors for helping her become who she is today—a highly successful financial diplomat and public servant. She encouraged the graduates to spend a portion of their careers serving their country or community.
“There has never been a more important time to defend the strong institutions and rule of law that make us who we are as a nation,” Brainard said. “Both are under greater threat today than I have seen in my lifetime.”
Everett, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel James, implored students to push against the rising anti-intellectualism in the country, to continue to think for themselves, and most importantly, to keep reading. “Reading is the most subversive thing you can do,” Everett said.
“You have learned to resist indoctrination, you have learned to be critical and properly skeptical,” Everett said. “This life of the mind that has been opened to you will make your life richer, will allow you to grow, and, my hope, is that it will allow you to challenge the anti-intellectual elements that have taken root and attempt to use fear to silence those who think. I ask nothing more from you than to do what you have been doing. Go into the fray and keep reading.”
Now after hundreds of hours of reading, studying, practice, and participation in the community, the Class of 2025 transitions from a student to an alumnus, with a handshake, a swing of a tassel, and a toss of their caps.