The College of the Holy Cross conferred 733 bachelor of arts degrees at its 179th commencement exercises this morning at the DCU Center. Linda LeMura, president of Le Moyne College and the first female layperson to be named president of a Jesuit institution of higher education in the United States, delivered this year's address to the Class of 2025 and received an honorary degree.
In her remarks, LeMura emphasized that the goal of a Jesuit—and specifically a Holy Cross—education is to unite two identities: the dreamer and the doer, following the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
“Graduates, my wish for you—today, and every day—is that you will hold tight to your skills and to your dreams,” said LeMura. “Treasure them both. Your dreams will inspire your work, and your work will inspire your dreams. Never let go of the whimsical, poetical, visionary dreamer that lives in each and every one of you.”
College President Vincent D. Rougeau encouraged the Class of 2025 to step into the world with confidence, grounded in the values and skills they developed at Holy Cross, and to remember the enduring support of their community as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
“Holy Cross taught you to encounter the world as it is and as you are,” said Rougeau. “Feel confident in the skills you sharpened here. As individuals, you are strong. As a class, you are a force. You are not alone as you depart into the world after commencement—Holy Cross will be with you.”
Graduating senior Claire Wolf ‘25, a political science major with a concentration in peace and conflict studies from Cleveland, Ohio, delivered the valedictory address.
In her speech, Wolf encouraged her fellow graduates to rise by helping others rise, highlighting the power of kindness, faith and purpose-driven action to create lasting change and carry forward the spirit of Holy Cross into the world.
“I ask you today to consider how you will lift others as you climb…," said Wolf. “It is through these deeds, through lifting others up, that we reveal the never-ending love of God and send forth empowering waves of justice, peace, and love from our own beloved hilltop.”
Following graduation from Holy Cross, Wolf plans to pursue a Fulbright fellowship abroad, before returning to Washington, D.C. to work in policy.
In addition to LeMura, Holy Cross also awarded an honorary degree to Sister Barbara Rogers, RSCJ, a longtime leader of the Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. Both Dr. LeMura and Sister Rogers are former board members of the College of the Holy Cross, with LeMura serving from 2015 to 2023 and Sister Rogers from 2016 to 2024.
