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On May 12, Mount Saint Mary’s University celebrated its 96th Commencement at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, honoring the Class of 2025 in two heartfelt ceremonies filled with joy and pride. With over 450 graduates walking across the stage — 128 earning advanced degrees in the morning, and 325 undergraduates honored in the afternoon — the day reflected not only academic achievements but the resilience and determination of the new graduates.

Inside the grand hall of the Shrine, a sense of joy and anticipation radiated from every corner. Families carried bouquets and handmade signs, cameras clicked, and graduates beamed beneath their caps and gowns. From the timeless notes of “Pomp and Circumstance” to the triumphant “Unstoppable” recessional, the energy was both jubilant and deeply meaningful.

“As you leave us today and begin the next chapter in your life, remember this place,” said Mount Saint Mary’s President Ann McElaney-Johnson. “Remember the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, commit yourselves to compassion, justice and respect for yourself and others.”

Graduate Ceremony: A Call to Lead with Love

The day began with the Graduate Commencement, where master’s and doctoral students were celebrated for their achievements in education, psychology, business, nursing, creative writing, health sciences and more.

Student speaker Marguerita Drew, an educator and inaugural recipient of the Bessie Bruington Burke Student Scholarship, connected the Mount’s graduates to the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the University’s founders. “We may be a small group,” she said, “but we can be powerful instruments of positive change.”

“There is power in our ranks,” said Drew. “As we move forward, with our hard-earned degrees in hand, let’s remain ever mindful of the legacy that we have been tasked with living up to. By allowing the experiences of those who came before us to guide our paths, we can inspire others to continue shaping this world into a place we will be proud to leave to our children.”

The keynote speaker, Ryan Smith, PhD, president and CEO of St. Joseph Center, delivered a stirring address that left the audience visibly moved. With passion and clarity, he connected his personal story — as the son of a single mother and now leader of one of Los Angeles’ largest social service agencies — to the values instilled by a Mount education.

“This moment is not just about you. It is about the love and support that carried you here,” Smith said. “But it is also about the love you showed yourself — the nights you studied when you were exhausted, the mornings you woke up with doubt but chose to believe in yourself anyway. That is love. That is courage. That is resilience.”

He challenged the Class of 2025 to lead with what he called “radical love” — the kind that “transforms lives, communities and the world.” He concluded: “Go out there and dream boldly. Serve with humility. Lead with integrity. And when you face challenges—and you will—remember that you are not alone. You are part of a legacy of resilience, compassion and radical love.”

Undergraduate Ceremony Celebrates Resilience and Legacy

The afternoon brought a new wave of energy as traditional undergraduate students and adult learners in the Weekend, Evening and Online College took the spotlight. Laughter, music and proud tears filled the Shrine as families waved signs and cameras captured each graduate’s long-awaited walk across the stage.

Wendy Holt ‘25, a Weekend, Evening and Online College graduate and CEO of Holt Capital Group, spoke of balancing school with family, career and community responsibilities. “We didn’t take the traditional path,” she said. “Our journey was filled with late nights after work, early mornings before obligations, and the relentless juggling of being students, professionals, parents, caregivers and dreamers. And yet, here we are.”

Aisha Barragan ‘25, a psychology major and first-generation college student, shared her transformation from “quiet, shy, and unsure 17-year-old” into a confident, purpose-driven advocate. “The Mount taught us to lead with heart,” she said. “We are part of a centennial class, marking this once-in-a-lifetime occasion with pride, gratitude, and a sense of legacy.”

Keynote speaker Daisy Gonzales, PhD, executive director of the California Student Aid Commission, brought infectious energy and inspiration to the stage. “Only 7% of people worldwide hold a college degree,” she said. “Your choice to attend Mount Saint Mary’s affirms that you are already a leader.”

She encouraged graduates to make bold decisions and to never be afraid to seek support. “Dream so big that you need to ask for help,” she said. “Your choices are how you make your dreams possible.”

A Legacy in Motion

Both ceremonies concluded with the ceremonial turning of the tassels and a final blessing, as faculty, families and friends offered a standing ovation to the Unstoppable Class of 2025.

As Mount Saint Mary’s prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary this fall, the Class of 2025 joins a global community of more than 25,000 alumnae who continue to embody the Mount’s mission of leadership, compassion and service.

“Our measure of success is graduates who are committed to using their knowledge and skills to better themselves, their environments and the world,” said President McElaney-Johnson.

And as graduates streamed out of the Shrine and into the afternoon sun, diploma in hand and futures wide open, that mission was unmistakably in motion.

Watch the recorded livestreams of the undergraduate and graduate 2025 commencement ceremonies here.