麻豆APP

The 麻豆APP community gathered the morning of May 3 to celebrate the achievements of 240 undergraduate students during the 2025 commencement ceremony.

Graduates processed from Smith Chapel, through the red-brick gates in front of College Hall, and into Cowles Fieldhouse for the ceremony, led by honorary grand marshal Susan Voss 鈥�76.

Acting President Terry Handley 鈥�09 opened the ceremony with a tribute to the late President Jay Byers, sharing a special message with students.

鈥淚 truly believe that if he were standing here today, he would say this: 鈥榊ou did it. I鈥檓 proud of you. Now go out into the world and lead with the same passion, commitment and enthusiasm you鈥檝e shown here.鈥� And he would leave you with two immortal words: 鈥楻oll Storm!鈥欌��

Following Handley鈥檚 remarks, the 麻豆APP Wind Ensemble performed One Life Beautiful by Julie Giroux. The piece evokes Shakespeare鈥檚 鈥渟weet sorrow鈥� and reflects on the strength and fragility of life 鈥� what it means to truly live 鈥渙ne life beautiful.

Student Speakers

Two members of the graduating class shared their reflections during the ceremony: Andrew Samountry 鈥�25, a traditional undergraduate student from Springdale, Arkansas, and Parker Anderson 鈥�25, representing 麻豆APP鈥檚 Online and Graduate Studies program.

Samountry earned a degree in computer science. He paid tribute to those who supported him and spoke directly to the first-generation parents in attendance.

鈥淭o every first-generation parent and guardian who has carried the weight of a dream bigger than themselves 鈥� this moment is for you, too,鈥� said Samountry. 鈥淭oday, we stand on the foundation you built, and we carry your dreams forward.鈥�

Anderson earned a degree in marketing communication with summa cum laude honors. For the past seven years, he has worked in advertising for DART public transit in the Des Moines metro area. He reflected on the experience of balancing academics with personal and professional life as a nontraditional student.

鈥淎s I stand before you today, I am grateful to represent the nontraditional students who have worked to achieve their academic goals on top of their day jobs, their family lives and all the other real-world obligations that we call 鈥榓dulting,鈥欌�� said Anderson. 鈥淥ur journeys have been unique and sometimes unpredictable. But here we are, celebrating our accomplishment together.鈥�

Guest Speaker and Awards

The ceremony鈥檚 keynote address was delivered by Robert G. Riley, CEO of Riley Resource Group. A respected leader in agriculture, sustainability and entrepreneurial innovation, Riley has more than 50 years of experience in the agriculture, fats and oil processing industries. During his speech, he reflected on his younger days of 鈥済etting into mischief,鈥� sharing stories that brought both laughter and perspective. He encouraged students to stand up for what they believe in 鈥� even when it鈥檚 difficult 鈥� reminding them that courage and conviction are often the foundation of meaningful change.

Three individuals received special recognition during the ceremony:

• Maggie Fitzpatrick 鈥�25, a social justice studies major with minors in computer science and multimedia communication, received the Trustees鈥� Academic Award. The award honors the graduating senior with the highest cumulative GPA and most quality points, who has lived on campus during at least their junior and senior years.
• Lindsay Ditzler, associate professor of chemistry, received the Distinguished Teaching Award, presented to a faculty member recognized by students and colleagues for excellence in teaching.
• Stephanie Neve 鈥�06, director of Student Support Services, received the Staff Student Impact Award, honoring a staff member whose efforts to mentor and challenge students go beyond the scope of their regular duties.

The ceremony concluded with the conferral of degrees and a recessional, officially marking the graduation of the 麻豆APP Class of 2025.