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St. Olaf College | News
May 16, 2025
Campus & Community
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Honoring the St. Olaf Class of 2025

Members of the Class of 2025 gather on the Campus Green during their early months on campus to form their graduation year.
Members of the Class of 2025 gather on the Campus Green during their early months on campus to form their graduation year.

St. Olaf College will celebrate the Class of 2025 with a commencement ceremony on the Campus Green at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 24.

President Susan Rundell Singer will preside over the ceremony. The senior commencement address will be delivered by Emily King-Nobles ’25, a social work major from Normal, Illinois.

The commencement ceremony will be streamed and archived online. Leading up to commencement, graduating seniors will have opportunities for celebration and reflection through a series of events over the weekend.

The Last Lecture and Parting Words event is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22, in Boe Memorial Chapel. Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology and Director of Public Health Studies Andrea Conger and Director of Facilities Kevin Larson will deliver the remarks.

The Commencement Weekend Concert will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 23, in Skoglund Auditorium. The combined concert will showcase the talents of the St. Olaf Band, St. Olaf Choir, and St. Olaf Orchestra, as well as the graduating seniors in those ensembles. 

The Campus Illumination Ceremony and Lantern Lighting will be held at 9 p.m. Friday, May 23, on the Campus Green. Graduating students are welcome to bring guests. The ceremony honors graduates as they transition from life as a student to becoming a member of the St. Olaf alumni community. Each member of the Class of 2025 will light a personalized lantern during the event and illuminate the Campus Green. At the end of the evening, students may take their lantern home as a remembrance of their time on the Hill.

The Baccalaureate Service will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 24, in Skoglund Auditorium. Graduating students and guests are invited to worship and give thanks for the life and community shared by the Class of 2025.

More information about each event — and additional commencement coverage — can be found on the St. Olaf Commencement web page.

As St. Olaf seniors enjoyed their last weeks on campus, they shared some of their favorite memories from their time on the Hill. Read a few reflections from the Class of 2025 below.

“My favorite memories from St. Olaf are meeting my best friends and traveling the world on Global Semester!” — Emily King-Nobles ’25 I Social Work
“Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was in a dark place, but coming to St. Olaf was probably the best thing that could happen to me; I gained new friends who love and support me as I figured out my identities, and I’d like to thank my advisors for being by my side and helping me figure out what to do with my life. The friends and connections I’ve made is the most memorable moment.” — Sakuya Yang ’25 I Gender and Sexuality Studies
“During my sophomore and junior years, I used a steadicam to live broadcast the commencement ceremony.”  — Mikael Maritz ’25 I Physics
“I’ve loved being a part of St. Olaf’s Running Club for the past 4 years with the best group runs and dinners. We have a very supportive community I’m proud to lead.” — Anna Putney ’25 I Nursing
“My favorite memories were made on my January study-abroad program in Germany and Spain!” — Kathryn Deist ’25 I Economics and Environmental Studies
“My favorite memory from my time at St. Olaf is spending game nights with friends and exploring the Natural Lands together. Whether we were deep in a competitive board game or wandering the trails, those moments were filled with laughter, connection, and a sense of peace that made campus feel like home.” — Elizabeth Johnson ’25 I Social Work and Concentrations in TEFL and Family Studies
“Growing with and building the Christian community here at the college has been one of the most exciting and meaningful things life and God has blessed me with in college! I have made lifelong friends, and true brothers and sisters at St. Olaf.” — Enrico Tamayo ’25 I Psychology
“Being the head coach for the Ole men’s volleyball team is one of my favorite memories.” — Cordelia Smith ’25 I Chemistry
“My favorite memory from my time at St. Olaf is going abroad to Australia and New Zealand over J-Term my junior year!” — Megan Henson ’25 I Psychology and Gender and Sexuality Studies
“My favorite memory is when the St. Olaf Band beat the St. Olaf Orchestra for the TENTH TIME IN A ROW in the annual Broken Bat softball game! #TENPEAT” — Benjamin Gusdal ’25 I Physics, Mathematics, and Political Science
“One of my favorite memories happened during our online class. We were all set for class, but there was a slight mix-up with the Zoom link and we couldn’t find the right one to join. Instead of stressing out, a group of us decided to hop on a previous link we had used, just hoping it would work out. It turned into a fun little moment where we all found ourselves in the same virtual room, laughing and chatting while waiting for the correct link to come through. Looking back, it was hilarious because we all thought of trying the same thing, and we ended up having a mini-reunion while waiting for class to officially start. It wasn’t a big deal at all, but it was such a lighthearted way to start class. It reminded me how much I appreciate the fellowship of my classmates and how even the little mix-ups can turn into fun, memorable moments.” — Jenny Flom ’25 I Nursing