‘Take on Challenges with Optimism,’ Governor Lamont Tells Trinity College Class of 2025

“Great change is also a time of great opportunity,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont told members of the Trinity College Class of 2025. “Every generation has its challenges. I want you to take on those challenges with optimism, because optimism is an energizer, and not fear, because fear is a tranquilizer.”

Addressing a crowd of thousands assembled for Trinity’s 199th Commencement on Sunday, May 18, on the Main Quad, Lamont urged students not to take their rights or those of others for granted. “You have to stand up every day and fight for your rights,” he said. “It’s up to you to stand up… Do it with optimism, do it with hope. If you’re not sure what to do, or how to make the world a little better place, I’ve got an office right down the street. Come and see me; I’ll give you a hundred different ways to help people out.”

A total of 511 Trinity students were honored as they officially earned their degrees. The members of the Class of 2025 represent 35 states, plus Washington, D.C., and 43 countries. Among the undergraduates, 281 received bachelor of arts degrees and 215 were awarded bachelor of science degrees. Five of the undergraduate degree recipients were Individualized Degree Program (IDP) students. Fifteen graduate students received master’s degrees.

Trinity bestowed an honorary doctor of laws degree on Lamont in recognition of his lifelong dedication to public service, an unfaltering commitment to education, and his leadership of the State of Connecticut.

Lamont encouraged the graduates to take action in their lives. “I don’t want you to look back during your 25th and 50th reunion and think, ‘If only,’” he said. “Be bold and take the very best opportunity. Knock on every single door; you never know what you’re going to find on the other side.” (Watch the Commencement address.)

Trinity also awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree to Shabana Basij-Rasikh, in recognition of her work with the School of Leadership Afghanistan, the world’s first and only Afghan-led boarding school for Afghan girls, which she co-founded and leads as president.

Joseph M. Connors ’69 received an honorary doctor of science degree in recognition of his dedication to healing and his groundbreaking research efforts in understanding and treating lymphoid cancers.

As this Commencement marked President Joanne Berger-Sweeney’s last at Trinity after leading the College for 11 years, she looked back on the time she spent ’neath the elms, referencing a song for each year, which she called “the soundtrack of my presidency.” Berger-Sweeney named-checked Pharrell Williams, Adele, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles, Beyoncé, and even Michael Jackson, before concluding with “For Good,” from the musical Wicked.

“‘And you’ll be with me,’ my final class of Trinity graduates, ‘like a handprint on my heart,’” she said. “‘I do believe I have been changed for the better.’ For good, we have grown together and created a community that will continue to flourish well beyond our time here—we are the handprints on Trinity’s and one another’s hearts.”

Berger-Sweeney told the graduates that they are the legacy of all who have come before them, and they carve the path for those who will follow. “The world is waiting for you—for your passion, for your persistence, and for you to engage it with gusto,” she said. “Life will not always be easy, and it will not always be perfect. But you must believe that you can make a difference in the world. Take the lessons of intellectual engagement, persistence, and leadership that you’ve learned here, and pay it forward with determination and heart. Be filled with hope for the future, gratitude for the lessons of the past, and joy for the journey we’ve shared.” Berger-Sweeney will officially retire at the end of June. (Watch her speech.)

Members of the Class of 2025 also heard remarks from student speaker Theodora Tatsi ’25, who told them that a Trinity education isn’t just a personal achievement but also a responsibility. “Our degrees hold power. Our education holds power. Our whole Trinity experience holds power. And the world needs us to use that power in a meaningful way,” Tatsi said. “If all we do is use this privilege to succeed on our own, then we’ve missed the point. Let’s use it to build, open doors, and create space for those who come after us and, most importantly, for those who were never given a seat at this table.” (Watch the remarks.)

As the degrees were conferred, the valedictorian and salutatorian of Trinity’s Class of 2025 were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. Jacob Kaplan, of Connecticut, who earned a B.S., summa cum laude, in neuroscience, was named valedictorian; Jacob Loor, of Texas, who earned a B.A., summa cum laude, with honors in political science, was named salutatorian.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Board Chair Lisa G. Bisaccia ’78 presented the awards for faculty, staff, and student excellence. The Trustee Award for Faculty Excellence went to Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre, professor of history. The Trustee Award for Staff Excellence went to Anthony T. Berry, director of admissions. The Trustee Award for Student Excellence went to Class of 2025 graduates Ava C. Caudle and Venghour Than.

Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs Sonia Cardenas announced honors for several members of the faculty for their dedication to the academic life of Trinity. The Thomas Church Brownell Prize for Teaching Excellence for 2025 went to Irene Papoulis, principal lecturer in the Allan K. Smith Center for Writing and Rhetoric. The Dean Arthur H. Hughes Award for Achievement in Teaching for 2025 went to Arianne A. Bazilio, assistant professor of environmental science and chemistry, and to Brianna Halladay, assistant professor of economics.

The Charles A. Dana Research Professorship Award was presented to Zayde G. Antrim, professor of history and international studies. The Charles A. Dana Research Associate Professorship Award was presented to Rosario Hubert, associate professor of language and culture studies, and to Ewa Syta, associate professor of computer science.

As the ceremony came to an end, Trinity College Alumni Association President Amy McGill Dilatush ’94 welcomed the Class of 2025 into the company of Trinity alumni, numbering 30,000 around the world. She led the new Trinity graduates as they tossed their mortar boards into the air, and the celebrations began.

Commencement 2025 Links:
Commencement Program
Commencement Speeches
Honorary Degree Recipients
Awards and Distinctions
Ceremony Video
Photo Gallery