Join the Celebration: Susquehanna University Honors the Class of 2025!

At Susquehanna University’s 167th Commencement, Baktash Ahadi inspired the Class of 2025 with a powerful message about the importance of storytelling. As an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and a 2005 alumnus, Ahadi reflected on how sharing stories can help us understand ourselves and connect with others.

He recalled his own uncertainties two decades ago, sitting where the graduates were. “I never imagined I’d be here today, a filmmaker who has worked in war zones and classrooms worldwide,” he said. His experiences—like serving in the Peace Corps in Mozambique and advising U.S. Marines in Afghanistan—transformed his perspective. He described storytelling as “medicine,” a tool to highlight voices often overlooked, including veterans and refugees.

Ahadi encouraged graduates to embrace their own stories by viewing every interaction and choice as a part of a larger narrative. “Live a life worth telling,” he urged. He emphasized curiosity and courage, reminding them that each pivotal moment is an opportunity to step into the unknown.

University President Jonathan Green highlighted the growing challenges faced by higher education. He pointed out that today, institutions like Susquehanna are under scrutiny from the government. “This is a call to defend what we do here,” he said. Citing the Founding Fathers’ vision for educated leaders, he stressed the role of liberal arts in shaping future innovators across various fields.

Green championed the importance of academic freedom and healthy debate. “Colleges are places of experimentation and truth-seeking,” he asserted. His message resonated with the graduates, reminding them that speaking out is vital, regardless of political beliefs.

Sarah Bower, the Student Government Association President and a new graduate, encouraged her classmates to embrace their past as students while stepping into their new identities as alumni. “We’re now defined by our passions and how we contribute to the world,” she stated. Bower’s reflection emphasized the growth and confidence gained through their education.

As the Class of 2025 joins an alumni community of nearly 22,000, their experiences extend beyond the classroom. Many have traveled the globe through study-abroad programs, gathering insights and connections that will shape their futures.

Graduates earned a mix of accolades, with several receiving summa cum laude honors. Green challenged the class to continue advocating for the values learned at Susquehanna, empowering them to stand for what matters.

The future will require graduates to weave their unique stories into the larger tapestry of society. Whether as creators, leaders, or advocates, their experiences at Susquehanna prepare them to make an impact. Now, they hold the pen to tell their own stories, and the world awaits what they will write next.

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