The University marked the momentous milestone of college graduation with a series of events culminating with the official ceremony.
Baldwin Wallace University celebrated its 175th Commencement for fall graduates in the Class of 2025 on Saturday, December 13, with 235 undergraduate and graduate students recognized at the Lou Higgins Recreation Center's Ursprung Gymnasium.
As snowflakes started to fly outside, families, faculty and friends filled the venue with warmth and cheers as they witnessed graduates receive their diplomas and officially join the ranks of BW's accomplished alumni community.
Retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral J. Timothy Riker '70 delivers the keynote address.
The ceremony's keynote speaker, retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral J. Timothy Riker '70, returned to his alma mater to address the graduates. Following his 1970 graduation from BW, Riker built a distinguished military career, ultimately achieving the rank of Rear Admiral in the United States Coast Guard.
Riker told the Class of 2025 that he remains close to many of his BW classmates, and a number of his college friends attended the ceremony. He told the graduates he hopes that their own BW friendships "continue to sustain you."
Riker closed his address with a nautical reference, recalling a time he sailed the Coast Guard's large training vessel, the Eagle, with 23 sails, large and small, and a large crew.
"Make certain: There are no non-essential sails or crew members," Riker told the graduates. "Each has a role that must be filled if the ship is to proceed further and safely on its voyage.
"We, as a People — the American People — are on a voyage. Our stated aspirations are high. We have come far. We have yet to make port. We need to sail further. And now, here you are to take your stations. My expectation of you is exactly the same that every generation hands to the next: That you will perform your individual stations well."
Following his remarks, Riker received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the University.
The fall graduates included 32 students who earned summa cum laude honors, the University's highest academic distinction reserved for those with a cumulative GPA of 3.90 or higher. An additional 18 students were recognized for achieving magna cum laude honors (GPA of at least 3.75), while 16 earned cum laude recognition (GPA of at least 3.60).
A total of 19 exceptional December graduates were inducted into the prestigious Dayton C. Miller Honor Society, and six completed the rigorous curriculum of the BW Honors Program.
Elanna Su '26 came to the stage to uphold a tradition dating back to 1915 by adding the last of two class colors, cranberry, to BW's ceremonial ring of ribbons. She also led the graduates in joining together for a final spirited "Aww Jackets" cheer.
The day's festivities began with a traditional Baccalaureate service featuring student musical performances, readings and an address by BW World Languages, Literature and Culture Professor Matthew Feinberg, who spoke on the theme of "Return on Investment: Success and a Life Well-Lived."
Before the main ceremony, BW President Lee Fisher and First Lady Peggy Zone Fisher hosted a reception in Strosacker Hall's union ballroom, where graduates mingled with family members, faculty and staff over appetizers and desserts.
The newest graduates now join more than 50,000 BW alumni who have earned degrees since the University's founding in 1845, all bound together as "Yellow Jackets for Life" (YJ4L).
A video recording of the complete ceremony is available on the BW YouTube Channel, and additional photographs can be found on BW's Instagram and Facebook pages.
A small gallery from the day can be viewed below.
