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Fiona Acton, a sociology major from New York, was among more than 600 Keene State students to walk across the stage during commencement ceremonies on campus Saturday.

The rain subsided just before ����Ӱ��ֱ��’s Commencement ceremony on Saturday. Not soon enough to dry all the thousands of chairs, firm the spongy grounds, or for puddles to dissipate. But it was timely and spirit-changing.

On Fiske Quad in the center of campus, this anticipated and culminating tradition of celebrating students went off with spirits high and umbrellas down.

In all, 617 degree candidates, undergraduate and graduate, walked the stage to receive scrolls.

On Friday, in separate events, 19 graduating nursing students were recognized during a Pinning Ceremony, and an Honors Convocation was held to acknowledge and congratulate 50 graduates who performed with academic distinction.

Keene State, founded in 1909, is New Hampshire’s public liberal arts college, part of the University System of New Hampshire. It offers undergraduate degrees across more than 40 areas of study, master’s degree programs, and post-master’s certification programs – all in the liberal arts.

Dr. Sarah McGregor, physics professor and Alumni Association Distinguished Teacher of the Year, challenged students to “imagine ripples, and create ripples,” the kind that move outward, that might draw them out of the “sameness that is comfortable and safe,” and move them closer to being more “alive and innovative.”

“Fear,” she said, “can sometimes make us forget who we are. We twist ourselves up trying to meet everyone’s expectations. In those moments, maybe the bravest thing we can do is lean into who we are and be heard. To upset the rhythm, to make ripples. … Because that one different rhythm or outward ripple? It wakes people up. It makes them look.”

“Don’t,” she added, “be defined by other people’s boxes. Be undefinably amazing.”

In her keynote remarks, President Melinda Treadwell ‘90 encouraged students to celebrate the occasion, reflect, but begin a reset by focusing on a future grounded in the greater good.

“Seize every moment as an opportunity to live meaningfully. … You and your magic and joy, conspicuous as they are, are why we love what we do. Use those special qualities not only to learn, but to create joyful moments for others. Continue to be the light you have been here: bright, beaming, and hopeful.”

She added: “What will you do to make someone else smile, so that you can smile?”

Ashleigh Moroni ‘25, senior class president, told classmates that, even when counted in seconds, four years pass in the blink of an eye, but they all emerged more confident and better prepared for new paths.

“Make memories … actively, not passively,” she said. “I know what it’s like to experience life from the sidelines, capturing memories for others. You have to be a little bit selfish from time to time.”

She added, “Remember your time here. How it shaped you, helped discover who you are, and what you want to be in this world.”

Ashleigh, from Smithfield, R.I., earned bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and graphic design. She will continue her education as a graduate assistant in the Department of Housing at the University of South Carolina while pursuing a master’s in higher education and student affairs.

Jessica Barrett ‘25 of Hooksett, NH, earned a degree in nursing and will begin her career as a neonatal ICU nurse at Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon.

“It was hard,” she said of her nursing education, “but I have an anything-is-possible mentality. I’ve always wanted to help people, and now I get to do that.”

Jessica’s mother, grandmother, and stepfather all have nursing backgrounds, so “I’m no stranger to it,” she said.

Kelsey Lombard ‘25 of Derry, NH, said her nursing degree proves she has “the grit” she will need in her profession.

“There were times I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t fail; college and the nursing program were a big learning curve … long hours, demanding course work, and clinicals. There were 19 of us, and it took all of us to push each other to the end.”

Kelsey will start in the Acute Medical and Oncology Unit at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, NH.

Alex Walton ‘25 of Goffstown, NH, will leave Keene State with a theatre & dance degree and head straight to tryouts with the Boston Celtics dance team and a local dance company.

“I’m reflecting on how I got to this moment and the future, which will be more everlasting and changing than anything I’ve done before,” he said before Commencement.

He came to Keene State after first attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he didn’t find the community and family he knew he needed.

What did he find at Keene State that was different? He suggested a list of what he didn’t find would be shorter. “I found friends, healthy lifestyle and choices, connections, mindfulness, goals, and discipline. More than all that, I found life.”

Victoria Young ‘25 of Newport, VT, who earned a bachelor’s degree in music performance, called her four years as an Owl “super fun,” adding that “right now, I feel thankful for the whole experience. I wouldn’t do anything over or anything differently.”

Victoria received The Presser Foundation’s 2024-25 Undergraduate Scholar Award for merit and achievement in music in a ceremony on Friday. She plans to pursue her master’s in music theory and teach music in college further down the road.

“Nothing else felt right, but from the beginning, Keene State did,” Victoria said. “The people, the family feel … it’s real.”

Zachary Spinella ‘25 said he couldn’t help but think of “The effort I’ve put in the past four years, and what it might mean for me.” The Situate, RI, native graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s in computer science and a minor in math, and has a job with Revature, a talent development company. “Keene State was the perfect small-college fit for me.”

Three individuals received special honors during the ceremony. College leaders:

• Conferred David Wenhold ‘90 with an honorary doctor of letters degree. Wenhold was touted for his extensive philanthropic work, a relentless pursuit of driving positive and meaningful change in government relations and lobbying, and a genuine desire to help others. Thirty-five years ago, almost to the day, he crossed the same stage as a first-generation college graduate with a degree in political science. “Plan for long-term success and work for it,” he told students, “ and never take a day for granted. … Leave everything in your life better than you found it. That simple action will change your soul.”
• Honored Jodi Picoult, award-winning and best-selling author, with the Granite State Award. Her 28 novels and short-story collections have sold over 40 million copies in 35 countries. Her award citation, read aloud, noted that Picoult “understands the profound power of writing for an audience, and her stories of life’s shaping moments – family, childhood, struggle, reconciliation – resonate across generations and captivate book buyers globally.” Speaking about book bans, she said, “Books bridge divides between people, bans divide them. She implored graduates to “Speak out now as the adult citizens of this state that you are. Be an activist. You have made it this far, now go make a difference.”
• Surprised graduate Jacob Favolise ‘25, a political science major, with the Leo F. Redfern Outstanding Citizenship Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a ����Ӱ��ֱ�� student. A leader in student government and on the College Senate, Keene State’s legislative body, Jacob envisioned and brought about important reform on campus, including an ambitious overhaul of all guiding documents for the Assembly, including the constitution and bylaws. A 4.0 GPA student, he is the first Owl student to win an election to serve as a City Councilor for the City of Keene.

Congratulations to all the graduates and best wishes for future success.