Family, friends, faculty and staff celebrated SUNY Oneonta’s Class of 2025 during Fall Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Visitors gathered inside Alumni Field House to recognize the 260 students expected to complete their requirements for graduation this semester.
The day before, Saturday, seniors participated in the traditional Pass Through the Pillars event. All 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.
During Sunday’s ceremony, speakers included Student Association President Ashley Romero, Temporary Presiding Officer of the University Senate Gina Solano, University President Alberto Cardelle, and guest speaker Gary Herzig, chair of the University Council and former mayor of the City of Oneonta.
Catskill Brass provided musical selections for the event, the Leatherstocking District Pipe Band performed the processional, and Ronica Clarke ’24 sang the national anthem and alma mater. Alumni Association President Alice Maggiore ’10 delivered the alumni greeting.
During his address, Dr. Cardelle spoke about the importance of public service and thanked graduates, employees and audience members for being part of “a community of learners deeply committed to service, both to one another and to the broader society.”
Your commitment as students, and what you will do as professionals and neighbors after you leave here, is what allows our university to transcend its physical campus and demonstrate that an institution’s strength lies not in its buildings, but in its people and in the principles they uphold,”
“Your commitment as students, and what you will do as professionals and neighbors after you leave here, is what allows our university to transcend its physical campus and demonstrate that an institution’s strength lies not in its buildings, but in its people and in the principles they uphold,” Dr. Cardelle said. “Please join me in applauding this remarkable group of scholars, activists and leaders—not only for what they have already accomplished, but for how they will go on to change the world.”
