Commencement 2025

Sunday, May 18, 2025

St. Bonaventure celebrates graduates at 165th Commencement Exercises

Stage crossing 2025
Graduate Stage Crossing Photo Gallery

2025 graduates
General Commencement Photo Gallery

Watch the complete Commencement video (to come)

Get a PDF of the Commencement Program

Former president, Seneca icon honored at SBU’s 165th Commencement

Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., honored with doctorate

Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., president emeritus and 20th president of St. Bonaventure University, received an honorary doctorate and delivered the keynote address at the university’s 165th Commencement on May 18. During her presidency (2004-2016), she oversaw $71 million in capital improvements and led a $90 million campaign that doubled the university’s endowment. A champion of diversity and student service, Carney founded key cultural centers and remains one of the longest-serving and most impactful leaders in university history.

Seneca artist Carson Waterman, a revered cultural figure in the Seneca Nation, also received an honorary doctorate. A Vietnam War veteran and gifted illustrator, Waterman began his career at the Seneca Iroquois National Museum in 1975 and has since dedicated his life to preserving the beauty and traditions of the Seneca and Haudenosaunee people through his art. Based on the Allegany Reservation, his work and influence continue to inspire across Western New York and beyond.

Carney delivers keynote address to the Class of 2025

Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., was back on the stage she graced for more than a decade, giving sage advice to nearly 700 graduates of St. Bonaventure University.

“Choose your navigational stars with great care,” she said. “Seek the steady light of the public servant — elected or appointed — who puts the common good ahead of personal gain. Seek the searing light of honestly reported news, honestly written history, honestly calculated data about our national life.”

Sr. Carney, who was named president emerita in 2016 after serving 12 years as the university’s leader, was the keynote speaker and recipient of an honorary doctorate at the university’s 165th annual Commencement Exercises Sunday at Reilly Center Arena.

Read the complete news release

Alami and Kidambi named Ideal Bonaventure Students for the Class of 2025

Anas Alami, a Business Management major from Brooklyn, New York, and Aahana Kidambi, a Biology major with a Psychology minor from Frederick, Maryland, have been named Ideal Bonaventure Students for the Class of 2025.

The Ideal Bonaventure Students exemplify the spirit of St. Bonaventure and the ideals of St. Francis through their demonstrated commitment to community service and academic excellence throughout their collegiate careers at Bona’s. They are annually selected by a committee that considers nominations from the campus community.

Alexandra “Allie” Beamish, an Inclusive Childhood and Early Childhood Education major from Webster, New York, and Tessa Fabiniak, a Biochemistry major from Buffalo, New York, were selected as honorable mention Ideal Bonaventure Students.

All four students were honored in April at a Student Affairs awards ceremony and recognized again on Sunday, May 18, at St. Bonaventure’s 165th Commencement exercises at Reilly Center Arena.

The 2025 Ideal Students are known for their kindness to and mentorship of others.

Read the complete news release.

Alami addresses classmates at Commencement

Anas Alami, a Business Management major from Brooklyn, talked about the “door-holding spirit” of St. Bonaventure — and the compassion he found here.

“(Holding) that door, that simple act, started to represent something bigger,” said Alami, who was also named one of two Ideal Bonaventure Students in April.

“At Bonaventure, holding a door isn’t just something we do. It’s a part of who we are. It’s a symbol of kindness, community, and connection. …

As we walk across this stage today, we are stepping through one last door — a big door — and stepping into the world. Into uncertainty. Into opportunity. But wherever we go, we bring this with us —the Bonaventure way.”

Read the complete news release.

Ceremonies and events leading up to Commencement

ROTC cadets commissioned as second lieutenants

Eleven graduating seniors who served as cadets in the U.S. Army Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at St. Bonaventure University were commissioned as second lieutenants into the U.S. Army on Thursday, May 15.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the university’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, was followed by the Silver Dollar Salute, a traditional event in which each newly commissioned officer hands a silver dollar to the first enlisted or non-commissioned soldier who salutes them. Cadets choose someone instrumental in their upbringing, education, or training for this honor.

The cadets are part of the Seneca Senior ROTC Battalion, which comprises cadets from St. Bonaventure, Alfred State College, Alfred University, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and Houghton University.

Read the complete story
View the photo gallery

SBU faculty members receive awards of excellence

Dr. Robin Valeri and Dr. Tara Walker Three St. Bonaventure University faculty members were presented this month with awards of excellence.

Dr. Robin Valeri, professor of Psychology, won the Professional Excellence in Service Award; Dr. Tara Walker, assistant professor of Communication, won the Junior Faculty Excellence Award; and Nicholas Kicior, adjunct instructor of Counselor Education, won the Adjunct Faculty Award for Professional Excellence.

They were recognized at the annual Staff & Faculty Awards ceremony May 1, and again Sunday at the university’s 165th annual Commencement Exercises.