BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Graduates of the Class of 2025 were honored in a commencement ceremony on Sunday at Illinois Wesleyan University.
A procession of 386 green-robed Titans crossed the stage to receive their diplomas before a sea of loved ones. Although chilly temperatures moved the event inside the Shirk Center, families and graduates were seen celebrating and posing for photos on the Eckley Quadrangle throughout the special day.
- See the Commencement program booklet
- Watch the Commencement ceremony video
- More photos of the event will be posted to the IWU Facebook page this week
Speakers at the 175th commencement ceremony shared encouraging words with the graduates, noting how the skills and passions of the class will bring light and progress to the world.
Addressing his first graduating class since arriving at Illinois Wesleyan, President Sheahon Zenger thanked the grads for welcoming him to the Titan community.
“You will always be my first graduating class from this great and esteemed university,” said Zenger. “Thank you for embracing me and showing me the way — the way of ‘yes - and;’ the way of community; the way of a true liberal arts university.”
Zenger showed an appreciation for traditions shared with students like homecoming and the Unity Gala, but “more importantly,” he joked — “Wing Wednesdays” and preparing for finals on Reading Day by playing volleyball on the quad.
Zenger said now is an exciting time for he and faculty to step back and applaud the latest group of alumni, who have been equipped with the proper tools to navigate challenges that lie ahead.
“At a time and in a society with so many questions, I need only look out at this great group of graduates to find hope for the future of America,” said Zenger.
Illinois Wesleyan Board of Trustees Chair Tim Szerlong '74 reminded the class to remain curious and committed in their future endeavors.
“Tenacious curiosity is required more than ever to get the facts and achieve true understanding,” said Szerlong. “True commitment takes much more than just showing up. Use this discipline without fail in any endeavor as it will deliver the results you aim for, but also project a contagious expectation of success — a pursuit of excellence as your standard.”
President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors Derrick Tillman-Kelly ’09 told the crowd that commencement is more than just an ending, it’s “an intentional beginning” of the next phase of life.
“That likely comes with a mix of emotions, so I encourage you to lean into any and all of them. Slow down to fully experience today, sit with the uncertainty, skip with the anticipation, jump with the joy — but please, I beg you, be open to the love and pride others have in you and this accomplishment,” he said.
As the newest members of the IWU Alumni Association, Tillman-Kelley also encouraged the graduates to remain connected to their alma mater.
Representative of the Class of 2025 Franchesca Smith ’25 invited her peers to reflect on their collective perseverance and growth since first stepping foot on campus as freshmen in the fall of 2021. She spoke of the experiences and friendships that were curated through time spent studying at Illinois Wesleyan.
“IWU gave us the chance to explore our interests outside of the classroom and expand our knowledge on a wide range of cultures, values and perspectives. As we took on new opportunities and shifted our focus into the future, we transformed into leaders, activists, entrepreneurs and pioneers,” she said.
Smith described the community at IWU as “incomparable to any other” and that each lesson learned on campus is “transferable in all aspects of life,” made possible by the people and professors of the University.
“How will you utilize the knowledge, resources and relationships that have been bestowed upon you to create a better tomorrow? Compassion and courage go a long way. Let us lead with empathy, resilience and a commitment to doing well and doing good — in big and small ways,” said Smith. “Go out into the world and be the light in dark places, the spark that ignites change and the flame that never dies out.”
Representing members of the faculty, Class of 2025 Professor of the Year and Professor of Political Science Jim Simeone took time to address the state of American democracy, reminding Titan graduates to remain civically engaged.
“I urge you to keep debating issues and making claims — it is the core of democratic civic engagement. Your class has been a remarkably engaged one. When I think back on your class, I think of your courage,” he said.
Before giving keynote remarks to the Class of 2025 with a speech titled, “The Entrepreneurial Arts,” Marc Talluto '94 was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Talluto has founded Fruition Partners and co-founded Thirdera, both major players in the ServiceNow space. He also serves on IWU’s Board of Trustees and as Entrepreneur in Residence, mentoring students and supporting campus innovation.
In his remarks, Talluto spoke of his professional journey, from studying computer science at Illinois Wesleyan to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur and how his liberal arts education enabled him to explore unique opportunities.
As a student, he said he enjoyed the classes within his major, but was most challenged and intrigued by the classes outside his discipline.
“Even if you’re happy to just graduate and move on with life, I can confidently tell you that from your experience here, you already think differently and with a broader aperture than most,” Talluto told the graduates. “The liberal arts education you’ve received from these caring people is truly unique.”
After graduating, Talluto explained the challenges he faced in seeking a career that fit his passions and abilities, while always leaning on the cross-disciplinary skills he grew to love at IWU.
“You leave today with a degree in your hand but more importantly a liberal arts education that has taught you how to learn and thrive,” he said. “I only ask one thing of you: Come back from your journey at some point to speak and share your talents with the next generation of students.”