'Go Change the World, Bishops!'
Hollywood Icon Jasmine Guy Assures Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2025, 'You Are Ready'
Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2025 toss their graduation caps at the conclusion of their May 10, 2025 commencement. Click here to view event photos. (Video by Mark Schmitter '12)
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University celebrated its 181st commencement ceremony May 10, with dancer, actor, author, and director Jasmine Guy encouraging the Class of 2025 to "Go change the world, Bishops!"
"It is an incredible honor to stand here today, and I am just as proud to be among you – the remarkable Class of 2025," said Guy, who received an OWU Honorary Doctor of Fine Art degree during the ceremony.
"I have no doubt that at this moment you are happy, sad, excited, and apprehensive all at once," Guy told the graduates. "As you cross the stage and turn your tassels, I want you to know that you are ready. You are ready to use the knowledge gained here, the cultural perspectives, the civil discourse training, the problem-solving power skills, the OWU Connections, and the passion you gained here to go out and challenge the world.
"It's time," Guy said. "Go change the world, Bishops!"
'Calls to Action'
Amara Carlson of Dublin, Ohio, also spoke to the Class of 2025, encouraging her classmates to create opportunities and to always remember how much they have accomplished already.
"As we step into the world beyond Ohio Wesleyan, let's remember the lessons we've learned together," said Carlson, a Health & Human Kinetics major and Nutrition minor. "We've come to understand that success isn't defined by a single path or timeline. We've learned how to adapt when plans fall apart and how to keep going through uncertainty. We've learned that setbacks aren't the end of the story – they're part of it.
"These aren't just lessons to hold onto – they're calls to action," she said. "Let every setback sharpen your vision and every failure strengthen your resolve. When faced with two doors, two roads, or two answers – be brave enough to imagine a third. And when the path ahead feels unclear – as it sometimes will – I hope you remember this: You've already done something incredible by getting here. …
"The world needs your energy, your compassion, and your ideas," Carlson concluded. "Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Create them. Seize them. … The future belongs to those who dare to make it happen. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 – the best is yet to come!"
'Most Necessary Work'
Ohio Wesleyan President Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D., also addressed the graduates and their families, encouraging the Class of 2025 to work to effect positive change.
"Your liberal arts education hasn't prepared you to master just one subject area," vandenBerg said. "It's done something far more powerful. It's taught you how to work with people, irrespective of the topic at hand. It's shown you how to understand perspectives that are different from your own. It's trained you not to rush to a solution but to see the full human complexity behind the problem.
"In a world that's becoming more automated, more algorithmic, and more divided – you've trained specifically to do the hardest and most necessary work of all: bringing people together," vandenBerg said. "Seeing the full person across the table. Leading with both intellect and empathy. …
"Lead the way you've been trained – with clarity, with courage, and always with a deep respect for the people on the other side of the conversation," vandenBerg concluded. "That is your calling. That is your competitive edge. That is the Ohio Wesleyan way."
Celebrating Excellence
A total of 315 summer, fall, and spring graduates received their diplomas during the two-hour outdoor ceremony, with five members achieving perfect 4.0 grade point averages:
- Spencer Amacher of Blacksburg, Virginia
- Savannah Domenech of Webster, New York
- Sidney Lewis of New Albany, Ohio
- Grace Martin of Westerville, Ohio
- Kenzie Votaw of Delaware, Ohio
In addition to recognizing the graduates, Ohio Wesleyan also honored three outstanding faculty members with special awards for their teaching and scholarship. Provost Karlyn Crowley, Ph.D., presented 2025 awards to:
- Elizabeth "Liz" Nix, Ph.D., associate professor of Health & Human Kinetics. Nix received The Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for Encouragement of Teachers. She joined the university in 2018 and is a "driving force in elevating the Nutrition major," Crowley said.
- Laurel "Laurie" Anderson, Ph.D., professor of Biological Sciences. Anderson received The Bishop Herbert Welch Meritorious Teaching Award. Anderson joined Ohio Wesleyan in 2001 and brings "curiosity, inspiration, and brilliance to everything she does at Ohio Wesleyan," Crowley said.
- Ramon Carreno, Ph.D., professor of Biological Sciences. Carreno received The Bishop Herbert Welch Award for Scholarly or Artistic Achievement. Carreno joined the OWU faculty in 2002 and was honored for research exploring parasitic nematodes in mammals, birds, and arthropods. "Using both light and electron microscopy, along with cutting-edge techniques like cloning and DNA sequencing, his work expands the boundaries of biological science," Crowley said.
Crowley also bestowed the Adam Poe Medal upon three faculty members in recognition of their retirement.
- Xiaoming Chen, Ph.D., professor of History and former reporter and editor for China's Xinhua News Agency. Chen could not attend Saturday's ceremony but was honored for 34 years of service to the university and its students.
- Michael Esler, Ph.D., McKendree Professor of Politics & Government. Esler was recognized for 34 years of service, including as adviser of the Pre-Law Studies program, co-adviser of the Pre-Law Club, coach of the Moot Court Team, and coordinator of Judicial Affairs.
- Barbara MacLeod, CFA, John J. Joseph Professor and Joseph A. Meek Professor in the Department of Economics & Business. MacLeod was honored for 26 years of service, including helping to develop OWU's robust finance curriculum. During her tenure, she also served as department chair for 10 and a half years, as a member of the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, as OWU's Faculty Athletic Representative since 2009, as chair of the NCAC Caucus for 2014-2016, and as chair of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee for 2020-2021.
Giving Back
President vandenBerg concluded the 181st commencement ceremony with Ohio Wesleyan's traditional benediction, encouraging OWU's newest alumni to share their knowledge and compassion with a world in need.
"If, here at Ohio Wesleyan, you have found freedom, take it with you into the world," vandenBerg said. "If, here at Ohio Wesleyan, you have found peace, go and share it with others. If, here at Ohio Wesleyan, you have found some portion of truth, go and seek it all the more. If, here at Ohio Wesleyan, you have dreamed dreams, help one another, and those dreams may come true. If, here at Ohio Wesleyan, you have known love, give some back to a bruised and hurting world."
Ohio Wesleyan's commencement ceremony will be archived online for on-demand viewing at owu.edu/stream. Learn more about the event at owu.edu/commencement.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.