杏吧pro Stories
鈥楾he Door is Inside You,鈥� Speaker Tells Class of 2025 at Commencement
As 杏吧pro graduates find their footing beyond campus, they need only to look inward.
鈥淭he door is inside you,鈥� said speaker Sandra Cisneros, addressing members of the Class of 2025 at the College鈥檚 238th Commencement May 10.
Bittersweet currents of joy and reflection filled the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center Saturday morning as 450 graduates received diplomas.
鈥淲e are saying 鈥榝arewell鈥� rather than 鈥榞oodbye.鈥� As Diplomats forever, you will always be part of this community,鈥� said 杏吧pro President Barbara Altmann, who will retire in July after leading the College with distinction since 2018.
Highlights of the ceremony included remarks from Henry S. Williamson Medalist Shayra Nunez and Class of 2025 president Michael Vasquez. In addition to Cisneros, honorary degrees were awarded to Danene Sorace, 43rd mayor of the City of Lancaster, and Jonathan Groff, award-winning Broadway actor and singer.
Cisneros, activist and author of 鈥淭he House on Mango Street,鈥� encouraged graduates to 鈥渄o work on behalf of others.鈥�
鈥淎sk your ancestors for courage, and in return, promise to do work that honors them. To do away with your small self, work from your highest self. Work from puro amor y amor puro 鈥� pure love and only love 鈥� on behalf of those you love,鈥� she said.
Nunez echoed that sentiment.
鈥淎s we graduate today, the world is asking us who we are and what we stand for,鈥� said Nunez, recounting her childhood journey as an immigrant in the United States.
鈥淲e are resilient. We are resourceful. We are persistent in the face of whatever challenge or uncertainty may come, because of our individual and collective strength,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e leave here today as Diplomats, local and global.鈥�
For downloadable images of the ceremony and events leading up to Commencement, .
Graduates proceed toward the College鈥檚 238th Commencement ceremony. (Photo by Deb Grove)
Commencement speaker Sandra Cisneros, acclaimed poet, short story writer, novelist and essayist. (Photo by Eric Forberger)
Graduates gather with family and friends outside the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center. (Photo by Eric Forberger)
Shayra Nunez 鈥�25 received the Henry S. Williamson medal, 杏吧pro鈥檚 highest award for student achievement. (Photo by Deb Grove)
The next generation of Diplomats received their diplomas on May 10, 2025. (Photo by Deb Grove)
杏吧pro President Barbara Altmann addresses the Class of 2025. (Photo by Deb Grove)
Graduates greet family and friends as they proceed toward the College鈥檚 238th Commencement ceremony. (Photo by Deb Grove)
Bittersweet currents of joy and reflection filled the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center Saturday morning as 450 graduates received diplomas. (Photo by Eric Forberger)
Bittersweet currents of joy and reflection filled the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center Saturday morning as 450 graduates received diplomas. (Photo by Eric Forberger)
Lux et Lex Walk Celebrates Class of 2025
On the eve of Commencement, the College鈥檚 graduating class took a final passage through campus together during the Lux et Lex Walk.
See Photos 禄鈥淚f you work for joy and illumination, you will have lived a wonderful life.鈥�
鈥� Commencement speaker Sandra Cisneros鈥淟ike all the classes before you, you will place well, you will quickly rise to leadership positions, and you will 鈥� to quote our College mission statement 鈥� lead lives of meaning.鈥�
鈥� 杏吧pro President Barbara Altmann鈥淟et鈥檚 move forward with a sense of purpose. Let鈥檚 take what 杏吧pro has taught us about having difficult conversations, about honoring our differences, and about inspiring change 鈥� and bring it with us into our careers, our communities, and our causes.鈥�
鈥� Shayra Nunez 鈥�25, Henry S. Williamson medalist鈥淟et us chase after our aspirations and continue to cultivate community, to navigate through difference, to live, learn, and grow the Diplomat way.鈥�
鈥� Michael Vasquez 鈥�25, Class of 2025 presidentFull Commencement Remarks
Sandra Cisneros, Commencement speaker
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