Affinity Ceremony Programs

Baccalaureate Ceremony

Saturday, May 24, 2025
12:15 p.m.
The Chapel

Processional
Led by Kariamu Drummers

Welcome
Fanta Wague

Invocation
Reverend Samuel Speers, Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life

Welcome Remarks
Elizabeth Bradley, President

Greetings
Carlos Alamo, Dean of the College

Introduction of Faculty Speaker
Noon Elmostafa

Faculty Remarks
Dr. Ismail Rashid

Tribute to Families
Marissa Desir

Introduction of Guest Speaker
Krystal Matthews

Baccalaureate Address
Dr. Marcelle Hayashida

Presentation of JTASK Award
Anisa Salahou & Renee Watson
Recipient: Precious Manning

Tribute to Seniors
African Violets

Closing Remarks
Fanta Wague

Recessional
Led by Kariamu Drummer

Saturday, May 18, 2024
12:15pm
The Chapel

Latiné Sarape Ceremony

Saturday, May 24, 2025
1:45–2:45 p.m.
Villard Room, College Center

Welcome
Bienvenida
Eréndira Rueda, Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Latin American & Latinx Studies

Faculty Greeting to Seniors
Saludo de la facultad a los graduados
Daniel Mendiola, Assistant Professor, History Department

Keynote Speaker
Orador principal
Francesca Gutierrez Amann ’91

Student Leader Remarks
Oradoras de la clase de graduación
Daniela Chavez ’25, Latiné Student Association (LSU)
Pablo Crisostomo Suarez ’25, Latiné Student Association (LSU)

Sarape Ceremony
Ceremonia de Estola
Eréndira Rueda, Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Latin American & Latinx Studies
Jaime L. Del Razo, Assistant Professor of Education
Daniel Mendiola, Assistant Professor, History Department
Francesca Gutiérrez Amann '91

Presentation of Class of 2025 and Group Photo
Foto del grupo

African American Alumnae/i of Vassar College (AAAVC) Kente Cloth Ceremony

Saturday, May 24, 2025
3:00–4:00 p.m.
The Chapel

Lift Every Voice and Sing
Everyone

Welcome to the AAAVC and Congratulations
Kendall Coleman ’11, AAAVC Member

Faculty Remarks
Kahdeidra Monét Martin, Assistant Professor of Education

Bestowal of Kente Stoles to the Class of 2025
AAAVC Bestowers and Speakers

Graduates’ Remarks
Marissa Desir ’25 and Carl Webster ’25

Welcome to the AAVC
Tyrone Forman ’92, AAVC Vice President and AAVC Trustee

Group Photo

Asian, Asian-American, Pacific Islander Stole Ceremony

Saturday, May 24, 2025
4:15–5:15 p.m.
Martel Theater

Welcome
Peipei Qiu, Professor of Chinese & Japanese on the L.B. Dale and A. Lichtenstein Chair

Faculty Greeting to Seniors
Himadeep Muppidi, Professor of Political Science on the Betty Goff Cook Cartwright Chair

Keynote Speaker
Delia Cheung Hom ’00

Student Leader Remarks
Yining Shang, ‘25, Chinese Student Community (CSC)
Rayan Shikari, ‘25, South Asian Students’ Alliance (SASA)
Elizabeth Soe, ‘25, Southeast Asian Students’ Alliance (SEASA)

Bestowal of the Stoles
Peipei Qiu, Professor of Chinese & Japanese on the L.B. Dale and A. Lichtenstein Chair
Himadeep Muppidi, Professor of Political Science on the Betty Goff Cook Cartwright Chair
Arpitha Kodiveri, Assistant Professor of Political Science

Presentation of Class of 2025 and Group Photo

First-generation, Low Income (FLI) Program Cord Ceremony

Friday, May 24, 2025
1:30–2:30 p.m.
Villard Room, College Center

Welcome
Michelle Quock, Director of FLI Program

Remarks
Wendy Maragh Taylor, Associate Dean of the College for Student Growth and Engagement

Student Leader Remarks
Noon Elmostafa, ’25

Message to Seniors 
Stephen Palencia, ’20

Bestowal of Cords

Group Photo

Native American and Indigenous Stole Ceremony

Friday May 23, 2025
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm
Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center

Welcome
Wendy Maragh Taylor, Associate Dean of the College for Student Growth and Engagement

Remarks
Kelli Duncan, Associate Dean of the Faculty and Academic Resources, Professor of Biology on the Patricia Shoer Goldman-Rakic ’59 Professorship Chair Program in Neuroscience and Behavior

Faculty Greeting to Seniors
Rebecca Pollet, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Bestowal of the Stoles
Kelli Duncan, Associate Dean of the Faculty and Academic Resources, Professor of Biology on the Patricia Shoer Goldman-Rakic ’59 Professorship Chair Program in Neuroscience and Behavior
Rebecca Pollet, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Group Photo