Roanoke College welcomed more than 370 new members to its alumni ranks on Saturday, May 3, when those students crossed the Commencement stage, collected their degrees and bid farewell to their undergraduate careers.
The awarding of diplomas included 72 Bachelor of Business Administration degrees, 166 Bachelor of Science degrees and 133 Bachelor of Arts degrees. In addition, 12 students celebrated the near completion of their Master of Business Administration degrees — only the second cohort of MBA students since Roanoke introduced the 4+1 graduate program.
President Frank Shushok Jr. began his remarks with a message to the entire crowd that gathered under the trees on the John R. Turbyfill Quadrangle.
“Thanks to your love, encouragement, and belief in them, these graduates have not only seen hope, they have stepped into it, nurtured it, and let it loose into the world, and it’s going to be a shining light,” he said.
Shushok asked the Class of 2025 to consider the many rituals that lend meaning to life, including “little R” rituals like tapping the college kicking post and “big R” moments like the Commencement exercises on Saturday.
“Commencement is what I’d call a ‘capital-R Ritual’ — one of those rare, grand moments when tradition, ceremony, and meaning come together to connect us across generations, anchor us to enduring ideas, and remind us that we are part of something larger than ourselves,” he said. “Rituals like this often mark transitions — weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, confirmations, funerals — each carrying deep lessons about faith, commitment, love, loss and the passage of time. They also reflect shared values, offering all who participate a chance to recommit to what matters most.”
Shushok urged the crowd to make the most of these moments that make up “the architecture of life.”
“Maroons, may you live bravely and beautifully. May you find a kicking post wherever you land. May you find something so worthwhile that nothing can stop you from working, waiting — even leaping for it. May you find joy in every moment — the big Rs and the small. We’ll be cheering for you every step of the way.”
The Class of 2025 hails from 29 states and 12 countries, and the graduates range in age from 19 to 37. This year’s class included eight young women who shared the valedictorian honor, as well as one outstanding salutatorian.
The 2025 valedictorians are:
- Julia Olsen Bassett, a health and exercise science major from Midlothian.
- Peyton Olivia Bradford, a psychology major from Salisbury, Maryland.
- Simran Kaur Gill, a psychology major from Salem.
- Rhianna Nicole Gleason, a criminal justice major from Midlothian.
- Rebecca M. Goldstein, an education studies major from Medford, New Jersey.
- Madeline Diane Higgins, an English education major from Danville.
- Riya Amit Patel, a biochemistry and public health studies double major from Salem.
- Sydney LeVette Pennix, a psychology major from Roanoke.
Salutatorian honors went to Connor Joseph Tyson, a health and exercise science major from Waxhaw, North Carolina. All valedictorians were invited to the stage to deliver brief remarks.
“I would like to express deep gratitude to the professors who challenged us, to the families who supported us, to the coaches and mentors who guided us, to the friends who laughed and cried with us, to the dining staff who fueled us, and to each person who believed in us and helped us reach this moment,” said Julia Bassett.
Said Madeline Higgins, “Mother Teresa said, ‘The problem with the world is that we draw the circle of our family too small.’ In my time here, I have been lucky to draw my circle wide. As we go off and find home in strange places, let us cherish the people we hold dear and have excitement for those we are yet to meet.”
During the ceremony, the college also awarded honorary degrees to two individuals who have transformed the commonwealth and the Roanoke Valley into a thriving hub for research, talent and economic development: Dr. Michael Friedlander and Heywood Fralin.
Dr. Michael Friedlander is vice president for health sciences and technology at Virginia Tech, founding executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, and senior dean for research at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. He has grown the institute from one employee — him — to a world-class facility with more than 400 employees. He remains actively engaged in research.
Friedlander has fostered deep connections in the region between higher education, research, health care, community organizations and economic development, creating educational and workforce pipelines that encourage participation in health care and health-related fields. This has served as both a model and a catalyst for Roanoke College as it strives to become the Roanoke Valley’s premier educational partner, as expressed in the college’s strategic plan.
Heywood Fralin is a visionary philanthropist, education advocate, and civic and business leader who has played a pivotal role in advancing collaboration among higher education, industry and government throughout the Roanoke Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia. As chairman of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, he championed policies to promote access, affordability and innovation.
In 2018, Fralin made a $50 million gift through the Fralin Family Trust to establish the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion. His gift has elevated the region’s standing as a destination for medical research and health care innovation, and that has opened doors for Roanoke College students and alumni by creating opportunities for internships, research experiences and career advancement.
Friedlander was present at the Commencement ceremonies to accept his degree; Fralin, who was traveling, will collect his degree at a later date.
Two retiring faculty members were recognized with the Simon Carson Wells Medal, an honor bestowed on tenured, retiring faculty with at least 15 years of service to the institution:
- Thomas J. Carter, professor of English and communication studies, 31 years of service.
- Hans M. Zorn, professor of philosophy, 35 years of service.
Also retiring this year is Marc LaChance, director of the Roanoke College Wind and Jazz Ensembles, which performed during the Commencement exercises.
