Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Posted May 05, 2025

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(L-R) Josie Meridith, Maggie Nicol, Jenna Slabaugh, and Erica Bush get ready to march into their commencement ceremony.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Your achievements are inspiring, and we can鈥檛 wait to see where your journey takes you! 

This year, we graduated 492 undergraduates, 61 master鈥檚 candidates, and 37 doctor of nursing practice candidates, many of whom attended the commencement ceremonies on May 4. Although the rain moved the line-up and march indoors, the spirits and the energy were high amongst the graduates.  

Leading up to the ceremony, the graduates celebrated at several events including: 

  • Lavender Graduation, an event that invites everyone to celebrate the achievements of LBGTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, nonbinary) graduates and their allies. At the celebration, each student received their lavender cords to wear at commencement and had a chance to share something about their experience and thank their support circle.  
  • Noble Transitions, a multicultural pre-graduation ceremony that recognized more than 50 students of color, international, and first-generation students. Students received a Kente stole to wear at commencement and were invited to share a senior reflection and thank those who have been influential in their success. Family, friends, faculty, and staff joined to celebrate. 
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Students wearing Kente stoles they received at the Noble Transitions ceremony on Saturday, May 3.
  • A Toast to the Class of 2025, an event where graduates, family, and friends join with President John Comerford in a toast to the Class of 2025 and their futures. 

This year鈥檚 commencement speakers, two prestigious members of the medical community, joined the Class of 2025 as recipients of honorary degrees: 

  • Stephen Markovich, M.D., president and CEO of OhioHealth. In addition to his role as a healthcare executive, he is a physician and retired military leader. 
  • Nita L. Seibel 鈥�75, M.D., is a board-certified pediatric hematologist-oncologist; attending physician, Cancer and Blood Disorders, Children鈥檚 National Hospital, Washington, D.C.; clinical professor of pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; and head of Pediatric Solid Tumor Therapeutics, Clinical Investigations Branch, Cancer Therapy and Evaluation Program, National Cancer Institute. 

Just days before commencement, Otterbein lost a valued member of the faculty, , Department of Health and Sport Sciences (HSS). Payne passed away on Friday, April 25. She touched countless lives in her 25 years on the faculty of Otterbein, and we are grateful for her contributions to our campus community. Before her passing, the Otterbein Board of Trustees issued a Proclamation honoring Shelley for her years of service to Otterbein and granting her emerita status.  

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Graduate students were honored at the afternoon ceremony.

We would like to extend a special thank you to the family and friends who supported the graduates throughout their years at Otterbein. If you missed the ceremonies or would like to share them with others, you can watch the 2025 Commencement Ceremonies online. 

We will be updating social media throughout the week with additional photos from Commencement Weekend, so be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Flickr! 

To the graduates of the Class of 2025, we will miss you, but we are excited for your next steps! And welcome to the Otterbein Alumni Community!