For the first time in its history, Lehman College hosted two separate commencement ceremonies to honor the accomplishments of its Class of 2025. The new format reflected Lehman’s expanding graduate enrollment and growing portfolio of graduate programs.
Watch both commencement ceremonies
In a traditional outdoor ceremony for this year’s bachelor’s degree students on Thursday, May 29, Cristina Contreras, CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln was awarded an honorary doctorate for her service to The Bronx.
“If the world expects you to go to the back and stay quiet,” she told the crowd of 2,300 undergraduate students, friends, and family members, “go to the front and speak with purpose.”
Despite the wet weather, the enthusiasm was palpable. Undergraduate student speaker and business administration major Felix Santos spoke powerfully about the challenges he faced on his higher education journey, and how Lehman enabled him to flourish.
President Delgado, in his remarks, told students, “Your intelligence, resilience, and diligence command all our respect. When you get buffeted by challenges, draw on the reservoir of strength and confidence you have, knowing full well those reserves have already helped you overcome so much to get here.”
Yvette Phillips is one such student. In her late 50s she enrolled at Lehman after a layoff to chart a new path for herself as a teacher. “Walking across the stage on Thursday at my age made me feel blessed, accomplished, and grateful for the opportunity to fulfil this dream,” she said.
The undergraduate event was preceded by a special ceremony for 600 graduate students—including four doctoral candidates—at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, May 27.
In her address, public school educator Julia Rampersad, who earned a master’s degree in literacy studies, championed the importance of role models—not only for young minds, but for everyone.
“At Lehman, I see myself. I see my students. I see equity and diversity thriving,” she said. “I’m surrounded by professors who look like me, encouraging me not just to push myself forward, but to propel my students ahead…It is a constant reminder that I am not alone. We are not alone.”
Family and friends unable to attend either event—or anyone who wants to relive the excitement—can watch both the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies here.