Join the Celebration: Experience the All-University Commencement at Yankee Stadium in 2025!

A sea of violet robes filled Yankee Stadium as nearly 30,000 graduates and their families gathered to celebrate NYU’s class of 2025. The ceremony, led by President Linda Mills, acknowledged the challenges facing higher education today.

The event kicked off with a lively performance featuring “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder and “Welcome to New York” by Taylor Swift, both delivered by students from Tisch and Steinhardt. Following the music, the procession began, highlighted by banners from NYU’s 19 schools, led by faculty members.

Provost Georgina Dopico, in her first year in the role, convened the ceremony. Evan Chesler, chair of NYU’s board of trustees, reminisced about his time as a student, reminding the graduates that their journey was just beginning.

Student speaker Deziree Joy Harmon, hailing from NYU’s Shanghai campus, shared her experiences. “We made it,” she declared, urging her peers to build bridges across communities and ideas.

As the ceremony continued, Mills faced booing from some graduates, echoing last year’s protest against the university’s ties to Israel. This year, the controversy stemmed from federal policies affecting education funding and the situation of international students.

SPS professor David Hollander honored New York Liberty’s CEO, Keia Clarke, with an honorary degree, praising her efforts for women’s basketball. Tandon executive vice president recognized physicist Walter Massey, and Tisch professor John Tintori presented Molly Shannon with an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. Shannon, a Tisch alumna, shared her journey from rejection to success, encouraging students to pursue their dreams and embrace their true selves.

Mills took the stage again but faced more dissent. Her speech focused on the importance of close relationships for happiness, likening loneliness’s health effects to smoking. She urged graduates to cherish their connections as they step into the world.

The ceremony concluded with deans conferring degrees, leading to a celebratory moment as confetti filled the air. The graduates embarked on a new chapter amid ongoing tensions at the university over funding cuts and protests related to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

In a recent survey, 60% of students expressed feeling anxious about their post-graduation paths, citing issues like job security and the evolving landscape of higher education. This highlights the vital role of universities in supporting students, especially in turbulent times.

As they move forward, the Class of 2025 carries with them the challenges of a changing world, alongside the friendships and experiences gained at NYU.

For more on challenges in higher education, you can check out this report on federal funding cuts.

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