Hundreds of seniors and graduate students are poised to collect their degrees at the spring 2025 commencement, to be held May 10.

The ceremony will be held in the parking lot outside the Nils K. Nelson Bioscience and Innovation Building in Hammond. Joe Dudy, CEO of Wilson Sporting Goods and a 1992 alumnus, will be the keynote speaker. Dudy, who earned his degree in Accounting and Finance, will speak about his professional journey.

Students who will participate in the ceremony say it will represent a landmark moment.

“I’m really excited to graduate because I get to be the first in my family to receive a bachelor’s degree, and soon my master’s degree!,” said Savannah Benitez, a Marketing major. “I can’t wait to work in Higher Education and bring a positive impact on the lives of students.”

Benitez said she is proud to be graduating because it sets a good example for her younger family members.

“My motivation … is knowing that at the finish line, I have the chance to show my younger sister it’s possible to get a degree,” she said. “Hopefully [it will[ inspire my family and future generations of my family to get their college degree and advance their career.”

She plans to enroll at Indiana University in Bloomington to study Higher Education and Student Affairs.

This year’s commencement will be the first in which all PNW colleges will participate in a single ceremony commencing at 10 a.m.  In past years, separate ceremonies were held for different colleges.

For some students, commencement represents a major accomplishment. 

“One of the hardest challenges in college that I had to face was learning how to put myself out there and try new things,” said Gabriela Herrera, who is majoring in Psychology, Sociology and Criminal Justice. “During my college career, I learned how important it was for me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things.”

Benitez sees commencement as a milestone and proof of success.  

“There will be many times where you think you’re not good enough, you can’t complete the degree, and you feel you don’t belong,” she said. “But as PNW students, we persevere through the hard times together and Power Onward as the PNW Pride. 

“Even after you graduate, in anything you do, find your support system and keep powering onward,” said Benitez.