Spring Commencement 2025

Family, friends, faculty and staff gathered on campus to celebrate the scholars, athletes, artists and leaders who comprise SUNY Oneonta’s Class of 2025 during Spring Commencement exercises Saturday, May 17.

Thousands of visitors gathered inside the Alumni Field House during three separate ceremonies to recognize the 1,100 students—870 undergraduate and 230 graduate—expected to complete their requirements for graduation this semester.

University President Alberto Cardelle told the members of the Class of 2025 that this marked his fourth commencement and that this class "will always hold a special place in my heart."

"Many of you and I began our journeys here around the same time, making your class the first I’ve had the chance to know throughout your entire college experience," he said. "Your time at SUNY Oneonta hasn’t just been about finding answers; it’s been about developing the curiosity, the courage, and the tools to face new questions. ...And wherever your path takes you—whether into a lab, a classroom, a business, a nonprofit, or a community—you’ll continue to push the boundaries of what’s known."

Catskill Brass provided musical selections for the event, the Leatherstocking District Pipe Band and Catskill Brass performed the processional, and graduating senior Spirit Alves sang the national anthem and alma mater.

Other speakers during Saturday’s ceremonies included Senior Class President Yesenia Perez, Senior Class Vice President Amanda Balich Metakis, Senior Class Secretary Jessica Jacob, Presiding Officer of the Faculty Keith Jones, Alumni Association President and alumna Alice Maggiore, and Class of 1985 alumnus Thomas G. Capek, Corning Incorporated’s Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer. Capek received an Honorary Doctor of Science in recognition of his groundbreaking work in engineering, dedication to educational access, and exceptional service to SUNY and society.

Capek told the students they are now "part of a large, close-knit family" and that their accomplishments are not just their own but part of a larger tradition.

"For many of us here today, Oneonta is not just a school – it’s a legacy," he said. "My family has a close connection to this great institution: My brothers George and Frank, my daughter Rebecca, and I, all had the privilege of passing through these Pillars. ... Because of our experiences at Oneonta, my brothers and I became more prepared and well-rounded engineers. Our classes, and our classmates, gave us a strong foundation that we carry with us today."

Capek also encouraged the class to "get good at self-discovery, embrace the process of continual learning, and keep challenging yourself to focus on creating and delivering what the world needs."

The day before graduating, seniors participated in the traditional Pass Through the Pillars event and senior class toast. First-year students officially join the SUNY Oneonta community the night before classes by walking between the historic pillars of Old Main, the college’s first building, toward a welcoming crowd. The tradition comes full circle when the graduating seniors walk the opposite way through the pillars, signifying the end of their time at Oneonta.