Gannon University concludes Centennial year by celebrating Class of 2025 at Winter Commencement
By Kristine Rilling12/10/2025
Gannon University marked the close of its Centennial year with a joyful celebration of the Class of 2025 during Winter Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 7. The Diocese of Erie is pleased to share highlights from this milestone event, which brought together families, faculty, staff and friends in a day filled with prayer, gratitude and accomplishment.
The day began with Baccalaureate Mass in Mary, Seat of Wisdom Chapel, with Bishop Lawrence T. Persico, Chairperson of the Gannon University Board of Trustees, presiding.
On the Second Sunday of Advent, graduates gathered around the altar to give thanks for the journey that brought them to this moment. The liturgy set a reverent tone for the celebrations that followed and reflected Gannon’s identity as a Catholic, diocesan university grounded in faith and social responsibility.
During his homily, Bishop Persico honored the students, saying, “You are to be congratulated for reaching this milestone in your life that speaks of your manifold talents, your passionate efforts and your patient endurance for achieving your goal of a university graduation.”
He continued with a reflection on the figure of John the Baptizer, whose call to repentance and conversion of life offers a timeless message for all preparing to enter a new chapter of life. He reminded graduates that in our own baptism, we take on the role of the prophet Christ, “to proclaim in our lives, in our compassion and kindness, in our commitment to what is right that Jesus the Messiah has come. John’s message calls us to live our baptisms every day of our lives, growing in the knowledge of the Lord and living as wheat rather than lifeless straw.”
Following Mass, the community convened at the Highmark Events Center for the commencement ceremony, where Gannon University President Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., conferred 292 degrees on 290 graduates. Degrees spanned associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, representing the breadth of academic disciplines that form Gannon’s mission of preparing students for lives of leadership and service.
This year’s class included:
- 19 doctoral graduates
- 175 master’s graduates
- 94 bachelor’s graduates
- 4 associate’s graduates
Forty graduates were recognized for exceptional academic achievement, and more than 150 global students representing 18 countries crossed the stage – an inspiring reminder of the university’s international reach and commitment to inclusive education.
The keynote address was delivered by Mark Gusek, president and CEO of The Lutheran Foundation for Long-Term Living. Drawing from more than 25 years of leadership across healthcare, aviation, manufacturing and higher education, Gusek offered graduates a compelling message on service, resilience and embracing the unexpected paths through which they can make an impact.
As Gannon closes its Centennial year, Sunday’s celebration served as a fitting bookend – honoring the legacy of a university shaped by Catholic tradition and looking with hope toward the future its graduates will help build.
For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the ceremony is available at www.gannon.edu/commencement.
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