On a bright, cool morning, members of the Class of 2025 received their degrees at Swarthmore College's 153rd Commencement ceremony, held on Sunday, May 25, at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park.

Of the 434 graduates, 421 received the Bachelor of Arts degree and 34 the Bachelor of Science in engineering degree. 21 received dual degrees. A total of 59 students received a level of Honors. Drake Roth ’25, as chosen by his classmates, offered remarks as the senior class speaker. All graduates and additional information appears in the digital program.

At the ceremony, President Valerie Smith awarded four honorary degrees: a Doctor of Arts to fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra ’05, a Doctor of Humane Letters to Bryn Mawr College President Kimberly Wright Cassidy ’85, a Doctor of Letters to lifelong educator and arts advocate Maurice Eldridge ’61, and a Doctor of Humane Letters to peacebuilder Shamil Idriss ’94.

Special awards announced at the ceremony included the Oak and Ivy to Jean Luc Ishimwe ’25, Reuben Kadushin ’25, and Kayla Miller ’25, Lang to Stephen Kwas ’25, and McCabe Engineering to Lindsey Turner ’25 and Yihui Wu ’25,.

Alora Young ’25 and Assistant Professor of Philosophy Sabeen Ahmed addressed the senior class at Last Collection on May 24. Speakers at this address, an assembly-style gathering, are chosen by the senior class. Yvonne Chireau, Peggy Chan Emerita Professor of Black Studies and Professor Emerita of Religion, addressed the graduating class at Baccalaureate services on May 24 after being introduced by Mari S. Michener Professor of Religion Steven Hopkins. The Baccalaureate is the spiritual component of Commencement weekend, featuring the inspirational remarks of a friend of the College.