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Ģ����Ƶ University Lancaster honored 146 graduates during its annual Graduation Recognition Ceremony held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, celebrating the academic success, leadership, and community impact of the Class of 2025.

Interim Dean of Campus and Community Relations Martha Kline opened the ceremony with a message of pride and reflection, recognizing the graduates' dedication and the enduring support of faculty, staff, families, and the broader OHIO community.

“Graduation is more than just a ceremony; it is a milestone. It marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It is a testament to your hard work and determination and to the unwavering support you have received,” Kline said. “You are about to embark on an exciting journey—remember, the lessons you have learned here extend far beyond textbooks and classrooms.”

Student leadership and academic excellence

Sarah Mullins, a summa cum laude graduate earning a Bachelor of Science in Communications, delivered the student address. Mullins shared a powerful message of growth, identity, and gratitude, celebrating the impact of her campus experience.

“OUL isn’t just a place where we took classes. It’s where many of us learned who we are. And not just as students, but as leaders, teammates, friends, and for some of us even partners,” Mullins said. “You see, this place doesn’t just teach from textbooks — it teaches through connection. There’s something truly special about being at a campus where you know your professors, not just their office hours or class policies, but who they are as individuals.”

Mullins has been deeply involved on campus, serving as president of Alpha Phi Omega and Phi Theta Kappa, and as a member of Lambda Pi Eta. Her academic excellence has been consistently recognized with Dean’s List honors and the 2022 Freshman Excellence Award. Off-campus, she has contributed significantly to the Lancaster community through her role as a marketing specialist for Destination Downtown Lancaster, where she has helped plan events and promote local businesses.

Keynote and faculty honors

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The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Matt Wanat, 2024 Professor of the Year and professor of English at OHIO Lancaster. Wanat, a published author of books such as “Breaking Down Breaking Bad” and “The Films of Clint Eastwood,” offered a classroom lecture, instead of a reflective message to the graduating class.

“Graduation speeches are supposed to congratulate, inspire, amuse,” Wanat said, “but I am only occasionally any good at amusement, and that mostly by accident.” The professor instead presented a talk entitled "Do We Know Where We Are," which outlined Ģ����Ƶ’s authors and how they all define a sense of place—Ģ����Ƶ.

“Keep reading...histories. Keep writing them. Keep working and studying hard. You’re not done. None of us are done. We are all just beginning. We are the authors, and this too is a historical day, part of an historical continuance which is itself a myriad of histories,” said Wanat.

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The ceremony also recognized several outstanding faculty members:

• Dr. Jacqueline Tudor, associate professor of biological sciences, received the 2025 Professor of the Year award. Starting in Fall 2025, she will also serve as Faculty Chair of the Lancaster campus. Dr. Tudor, who joined the University in 2013, teaches courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and neuropharmacology.
• Dr. Jennifer Steele, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice, was honored with the 2025 RHE Outstanding Tenure-Track Faculty Award. Dr. Steele’s research focuses on substance use, gender, violence, and crisis communication. Her recent article, “Beyond Urban Centers: Investigating General Strain Theory and Opioid Use Among Rural Adolescents,” was published in the Journal of Criminal Justice.

As they crossed the stage and into their next chapter, the graduates of Ģ����Ƶ University Lancaster’s Class of 2025 carried with them not only a degree, but the confidence, skills, and support of a community that will remain with them for life.

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