Meredith College Celebrates Commencement for the Class of 2025

Meredith College held commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 10. The undergraduate ceremony was held at 10 a.m. in the courtyard of Johnson Hall, and the graduate ceremony followed at 2 p.m. in Jones Auditorium.

During the undergraduate ceremony, award-winning filmmaker Brenda Parks Hughes, ’70, delivered the commencement address. The College conferred an honorary doctorate on Hughes during the event.

Hughes offered insights gained through her career, describing how she went from an elementary school teacher to a pioneering sports reporter, and then to filmmaker. A longtime love of storytelling inspired her path and encouraged her as she faced barriers along the way.

“I wanted to be a visual storyteller, to tell the sports stories behind the scores … women didn’t do that then,” Hughes said. “If I was going to do this, I had to create my own path.”

Hughes shared tips for how Meredith’s graduates could chart their own course, including by building their network of supporters, finding ways to get experience in their desired field, and learning new skills.”

“The biggest lesson that I’d like to share is that it is never too late to try something new,” Hughes said. “I wish you all the best. I hope you dance through life and remember you are Meredith Strong.”

Celebrating the Class of 2025

Traditionally, the senior class president gives remarks on behalf of the graduates. This year, Ava Spradley, president of the Class of 2025, was representing Meredith in the NCAA Division III lacrosse tournament and was unable to participate in the official commencement ceremony. 

Student Government Association President Sophie Phillips, ’25, read the speech Spradley wrote for the occasion. Spradley thanked the faculty for their impact on Meredith students.

“I believe Meredith College is wonderfully unique. Our classes were small, and we built strong relationships with our professors who genuinely cared about our well-being,” Spradley wrote. “They checked on us when we weren’t in class, supported us during adversity in our lives, and most importantly, they encouraged us to be kind, build on our strengths, and make a positive impact in this world.”

President Aimee Sapp, who will soon complete her first year as the ninth president of the College, thanked the Class of 2025 for welcoming her into the Meredith community and congratulated them on their success.

“As you move forward from this day, remember that Meredith will always be a part of you, and my door will always be open. Stay connected, keep us updated, and know that we are so proud of you—all of you,” said Sapp. “Class of 2025, thank you for making my first year at Meredith unforgettable. Now go out and do what you do best—make a difference in the world.”

Master’s Ceremony Focuses on Impact of Graduate Degree

A graduate commencement and hooding ceremony was held for those completing programs through the Weems Graduate School. Meredith offers graduate programs in biomedical sciences, business, criminal justice, education, nutrition, and psychology, all of which were celebrated during this event.

Five master’s degree candidates spoke to their fellow graduates during this ceremony. Their remarks focused on insights gained and the impact of their graduate studies. Below is a sampling of their comments:

“Thanks to the Meredith MBA program, I now possess the tools to achieve a fulfilling work-life balance without sacrificing my career growth. I encourage you all to use this degree as a springboard to build upon the support of those who have helped you, and to navigate your future with intention and resolve.” – Shweta Lolage, Master of Business Administration

“In this program, I’ve learned how to effectively find and share the stories told by the data I learned how to gather and analyze … I was given enough challenges to learn to be confident in my abilities and enough support to develop my knowledge and skills through those moments of growth. I learned I was capable of making a positive difference.” – Leah Howard, M.A. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology 

“I leave this program with a passion and profound respect for evidence-based practice, in teaching, instructional coaching, and leadership … The most critical skill educators learn is how to help others chase knowledge instead of just passively consuming it. This means embodying an unrelenting drive to pass along skills and knowledge, tools to help students keep learning long after they leave us.” – Victoria Hoover, Master of Education

“Ultimately, this distinctive program empowers students to develop their professional identity, equipping us with the skills and experiences

needed to make meaningful contributions to the nutrition community … This program has taught me how to use this knowledge and to ‘be a light’ onto others. Which means to serve as a source of positivity, inspiration, and empowerment to inspire others to live healthier lives.” – Nicholas Walker, M.S. in Nutrition

“This program didn’t just teach us more advanced science … It taught us how to learn. We learned that studying isn’t just about memorizing notes or

dumping as much information onto our sheets as possible. It’s about understanding outcomes, connecting ideas, and finding what works for us, as individuals, to absorb, retain, and apply knowledge in a meaningful way.” – Jennifer Lin, M.A. in Biomedical Sciences

About the Class of 2025

Approximately 389 undergraduate and 128 graduate members of the Class of 2025 were eligible to participate in Meredith’s commencement exercises. Included are individuals who completed degrees in Summer 2024, December 2024, May 2025, and (pending) Summer 2025.