Pivots

“You’ve made this campus weird and wonderful in all the right ways…what’s Lettuce Club?? You’re stepping into a world that needs you – not just your knowledge, but your kindness, your humor, your ability to build community; your Graceland-ness, that beautiful mix of intellect, passion and purpose that the Hill helps to shape.” Graceland University President Joel D. Shrock addresses the Class of 2025 at Commencement

From Baccalaureate on Saturday to the big Graduation Day on Sunday—Commencement was a weekend of pivots on campus. The conclusion of the Spring semester was marked by tears and cheers in many languages, inspiring speeches, joyful celebrations of accomplishment, moments of introspection and retrospection, and excitement over what comes next.

With the 128th graduating class on the Lamoni campus, a promising, exceptionally talented and ambitious new cohort of Graceland Graduates was sent out into the world to make all the difference. At the same time, colleagues who had coined their own little Graceland era were sent off into their well-earned retirement (for now), visiting family members were affirmed they had made the right choice for their fledgling student, returning alumni were again reminded of this special place in their life—and at least one faculty member headed straight for the golf course, also highly deserved.

Every graduate who walked the Morden Center stage on Sunday – be it as a legacy student or having just started a new Graceland legacy – can be extremely proud. The greatest lesson they all shared was that sticking with it and not giving up can lead to such a pivotal, proud moment.

You can relive the 2025 Spring Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies in the event recordings below. For your orientation, the main program points are listed as time marks.

Baccalaureate

Presented by Campus Ministries, Baccalaureate is a service of blessing on the graduates. This year’s theme was Light for our Journey. The annual Student Life Award was presented to three highly deserving recipients. Baccalaureate also recognized student-led on-campus ministry through InSpire.

01. Welcome by President Shrock: 0:06:45
02. Welcome by Michael Hoffman: 0:09:25
03. Prayer for Peace: 0:17:58
04. Baccalaureate address by Michael Morain: 0:24:15
05. Sharing by a Senior: 0:34:20
06. InSpire recognition: 0:41:50
07: Graduate Assistant recognition: 0:46:53
08. Student Life awards: 0:48:40
09: Blessing for the Class of 2025: 1:03:15

Commencement

01. Processional of the commencement speakers, members of the administration and Board of Trustees, the faculty, and the candidates for graduation
02. Welcome by President Shrock: 0:07:10
03. International students’ greetings: 0:08:24
04. Invocation: 0:10:35
05. Posthumous degree presentation for Denali Smith: 0:18:00
06. Speaker introduction: 0:23:28
07. Commencement address by Charlie Conway: 0:27:10
08. Faculty recognitions
– Excellence in Scholarly Achievement, Exceptional Service: 0:48:00
– Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching: 0:52:10
09. Conferring of Professor Emeritus Status: 0:56:43
10. Conferring of Master’s Degrees: 1:02:25
11. Conferring of Bachelor’s Degrees: 1:07:05
– Academic Honors & Gold Seal Scholars announcement: 1:09:45
– Introduction of Baccalaureate graduates: 1:14:20
12. Alumni induction statement: 1:30:40
13. Congratulations to graduates: 1:32:25
14. Closing remarks: 1:34:50
15. Alma Mater hymn: 1:39:20
16. Reflection and benediction: 1:41:35