By Get ready to cue the bagpipes and toss those caps—Carroll College is gearing up for one of its most exciting events of the year! On Saturday, May 10, the Carroll community will come together to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the Class of 2025 at the annual commencement ceremony. Campus is buzzing with anticipation for the celebration of the accomplishments of our graduates and those who make Carroll a great place to be.
This year’s graduating class is one of the largest in recent memory, with around 265 students set to receive their hard-earned diplomas. That’s a whole lot of Saints stepping into the next chapter of their lives.
A New Stage for New Beginnings
The ceremony kicks off at 1 p.m. at Nelson Stadium, with guests welcome to grab their seats starting at noon. And this isn’t just any stage—it’s the brand new turf of Valley Bank Field, making this the first commencement to take place on the upgraded grounds.
“It’s new, which is exciting, but we’re optimistic that everything should work out just fine,” said Carol Schopfer, the Registrar of Carroll College, crossing her fingers for sunny skies. (And just in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, there’s a backup plan ready to go.)
Can’t make it in person? No worries—the ceremony will be live streamed across campus, so friends and family can still join the celebration virtually, tissues in hand. The stream can be located on the official Carroll College YouTube channel.
Marrin Speaks!
The seniors chose Marrin Chapman, ASCC president, to deliver their class address at graduation.
Chapman is double majoring in Biology and Catholic Studies.
She will share memories, and offer advice to the next generation.
“Put yourself out there,” said Chapman recently. “Invest in all of your relationships. Live the life that you would look back on and be proud to have lived.”
(Read the full profile of Marrin in this issue. Link)
A Morning of Reflection
Before the diplomas start flying, the day begins on a more reflective note with the Baccalaureate Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. Graduates should gather by 9 a.m. for the 9:30 service, and each grad can invite two guests. After Mass, all graduates will gather on the Cathedral steps for a class photo—smiles and caps encouraged.
“This is one of the last few times we’ll all be together as a class,” says senior Jack England, a health science major from Meridian, ID. “We went from orientation together now to this. It’s bittersweet.”
Degrees, Honors, and a Whole Lot of Pride
The afternoon ceremony will include all the cherished traditions—the processional, the speeches, the conferral of degrees, and of course, the confetti of emotions. Several students and faculty will be recognized with awards, including:
The Michael Murphy Award, for a senior who truly embodies Carroll’s core values.
The Raymond G. Hunthausen Award, recognizing outstanding community service.
The Bishop Gilmore Memorial Award, celebrating academic excellence.
This year’s grads are a diverse, dynamic bunch. The nursing program leads the class with 38 graduates. Not far behind are the biology department with a total of 24, the business management and marketing with 32, and health sciences with a total of 27 graduates. One large group of graduates of particular note is the group of 30 students graduating with their masters and social work, a program only in its second year.
Countdown to Commencement
The celebration actually starts the day before, with a mandatory rehearsal on Friday, May 9, at 1 p.m. at Nelson Stadium. Afterward, it’s time to raise a glass at the President’s Toast, honoring the hard work and perseverance of every grad.
A Celebration of Past, Present, and Future
Carroll’s Class of 2025 has faced challenges, chased dreams, and come out the other side ready to take on the world. The May 10th commencement ceremony won’t just mark the end of their time at Carroll—it’s the start of something entirely new.
To all our graduates: Congratulations! We’re proud of you. Let’s celebrate everything you’ve accomplished—and everything that’s still to come.
In the words of Harvey Mackay, “A great accomplishment shouldn’t be the end of the road, just the starting point for the next leap forward.”
