Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) proudly celebrated its 191st Commencement with two memorable ceremonies on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The College welcomed 367 graduates from the Class of 2025, joining the ranks of more than 9,000 distinguished alumni.
The morning ceremony honored campus graduates, while the afternoon ceremony celebrated Woods Online graduates and those earning graduate degrees. Notably, this year marked a historic milestone as SMWC conferred its first-ever doctoral degrees.
President Brennan J. Randolph warmly welcomed graduates, their families and loved ones gathered in Hamilton Arena at the Jeanne Knoerle Sports and Recreation Center. He remarked, “Today, we are celebrating the accomplishments of our students over two ceremonies, with nearly 250 graduates in attendance, and many additional ones watching at home through Livestream.”
The commencement speakers for each ceremony were thoughtfully selected by a committee from nominations submitted by students, faculty and staff. Nominees were required to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, among other criteria.
Jonathan Hayden, a theology graduate from Linton, Indiana, delivered an inspiring address during the morning ceremony. He shared, “You must have faith in the journey forward, even when you question everything. But there is hope. You wouldn’t be called forth if you didn’t have the gifts you were given. I mean, there is only one you. One story that only you can tell. It’s yours. And in the grandness of this world, this infinite universe, your story matters. And you may look back at yourself, years from now, and think, ‘Wow, look how much I’ve been changed into someone completely new!’ And that’s when you know—it was worth it.”
In the afternoon ceremony, Eleni Miller, a master’s in nursing graduate from Terre Haute, addressed the Woods Online and graduate degree recipients. She emphasized, “We stand at the threshold of a new chapter of our lives. This institution and its people have equipped us with knowledge, tools and values that allow us to make a difference. However, powerful tools and knowledge can be used both for good and ill. This is where the values Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has instilled in us come in. We emerge into a world hurting in many ways. Let us resolve to be buffers against the social injustices, alienation and environmental depredations that roil our nation and planet. Stand for others. Act with purpose. Above all else, continue to be open to new ideas and to growth in both virtue and knowledge.”
The Alumni Leadership and Service Award, recognizing graduates who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service during their time at SMWC, was presented to Deborah Murphy for the undergraduate award and Elizabeth Reel ’21 for the graduate award.
The prestigious Maud Helm Rockwell Medal for Academic Excellence was awarded to the top graduates of the campus-based and Woods Online programs with the highest cumulative GPA.
Campus recipients:
Rachel Davis
Jordyn Dowd
Nina Englund
Lillie Gendel
Bailey Mittal
Madison White
Woods Online recipients:
Sarah Dye
Matthew Phipps
Kelly Russ
Antony Taylor
Lana Taylor
Between the two ceremonies, the baccalaureate liturgy was held in the Church of Immaculate Conception, adding a spiritual dimension to the day’s celebrations.
