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Adelphi Class of 2025: Don't Just Knock on Doors, Kick Them Open!

Garden City, NY (05/22/2025) — Adelphi University's Class of 2025 celebrated their accomplishments, surrounded by family and friends, at the University's 129th Commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

This year, approximately 1,244 undergraduate degrees, four undergraduate certificates, and 1,131 graduate degrees and 93 graduate certificates were awarded. At the Doctoral Hooding ceremony held on Monday, May 19, at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center on the Garden City campus, 54 doctorates were conferred.

Adelphi President Christine Riordan kicked off the Commencement celebration by encouraging graduates to remember that they are in charge of their own destiny and to believe in themselves. "As you choose your path forward, continue to expect extraordinary from yourselves and from life," Dr. Riordan said. "Each one of you has the power to create change, to innovate and to lead. Believe in yourself and your ability to shape the future."

Words of Inspiration for the Class of 2025

Adelphi's Senior Class President, Joe Sawma '25, an international student from Lebanon, delivered an inspiring address to his fellow graduates, reflecting on the strong relationships he built with his classmates, the adversity he has overcome and his hopes for the future.

"Classmates turned into friends, and friends turned into family, and I mean it when I say family," said Sawma. "As long as the Brown and Gold shine bright at Adelphi University, nothing-and I mean nothing-will ever dare to stand in your way! Class of 2025, don't just knock on doors, kick them open!"

An honorary degree was awarded to James Stavridis, PhD, retired U.S. Navy admiral and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, as well as partner and vice chair of global affairs for The Carlyle Group and chair of the board of trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation, during the undergraduate ceremony. Addressing the Class of 2025, Admiral Stavridis passed on words of wisdom and encouraged graduates to be of service to others, remain optimistic through challenging times and to go out into the world and "make some history."

President of Adelphi's Graduate Student Council Melissa Garber '24, MA '25, addressed her fellow classmates at the graduate Commencement ceremony, reminding her peers never to underestimate the power of courage and connection. "Trust in the connections you have made here, and use them to fuel your courage to take on new challenges," Garber said. "Don't be afraid to fail, because those moments are often when we grow and learn the most. And if you do stumble, lean on those who love and support you to lift you up."

"Be bold. Use your voice. Be a superhero. Be authentic," urged Joseph Moscola, MBA '06, executive vice president for shared services strategy and operations at Northwell Health, who delivered the keynote address at the graduate Commencement ceremony. "Be in the business of investing in people and you will be amazed at where this road will take you."

Academic Excellence, Outstanding Outcomes

Students graduated from Adelphi's highly ranked academic programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences, Honors College, College of Nursing and Public Health, College of Professional and Continuing Studies, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology and School of Social Work.

As the highest-ranked private university on Long Island, Adelphi has been named a Best College among national universities by U.S. News & World Report for seven consecutive years and ranked in the top 4 percent of universities in the nation by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Adelphi has also been recognized as among the top 25 percent of universities in the nation for social mobility, and its graduates, on average, outearn their peers by 30 percent, year after year.

The Commencement and Hooding ceremonies were livestreamed and can be viewed online.

About Adelphi: A modern metropolitan university with a personalized approach to higher learning

Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students' lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. U.S. News & World Report named Adelphi a 2025 Best College, Best Value College, and Top Performer in Social Mobility. In addition, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal/ America's Top Colleges all ranked Adelphi the top private university on Long Island.

Adelphi serves more than 7,600 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, New York-just 23 miles from New York City's cultural and internship opportunities-and at dynamic learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, as well as online.

More than 121,000 Adelphi graduates have gained the skills to thrive professionally as active, engaged citizens, making their mark on the University, their communities and the world.

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