NEWS: The Class of 2025 and Olin’s 20th Commencement: “Startin’ Anew”
On Friday, May 16, over 850 family members, faculty, staff, trustees, students and guests, gathered on Olin’s Needham, Mass. campus for the College’s 20th Commencement Ceremony celebrating the Class of 2025.
Meredith Alley '25 leads the graduating Class of 2025 in the procession to the Commencement ceremony on the Great Lawn, on May 16, 2025.
Photo by Leise Jones.
Chief Marshal Dr. Al Sacco, Jr., Olin’s Chief Academic Officer and Provost, led the commencement procession into the tent and began the ceremony with a welcome and moment of remembrance to “reflect on the values of our community and on friends and loved ones who are no longer with us.”
Olin President Dr. Gilda A. Barabino shared inspiration from the lyrics of musician Nina Simone, who fought injustice and helped change the world through her music. “‘I wish I could do / All the things that I can do / And though I’m way overdue / I’d be startin’ anew,’” she quoted. “Take a moment to imagine what starting anew would look like for you, and now take a moment to envision life beyond Olin and how your Olin education has prepared you—giving you the freedom to shape your future.”
Olin College of Engineering President Gilda A. Barabino, Ph.D., speaks from the podium during the Commencement ceremony, on May 16, 2025.
Photo by Leise Jones.
“‘Yes a new world's comin' / You know the one I'm talking about / The one we'd had visions of / And it's comin' in peace, coming in joy,’” cited President Barabino. The new world coming “will be the one you build,” she said. It will be “one that embraces peace and joy, one that harnesses engineering and technology for good and one that provides opportunity for all.”
In her last Olin commencement address, President Barabino reminded the graduates that, “as you leave to make your mark in the world, remember that the world belongs to all of us, and we belong to each other.”
Featured speaker Dr. Holden Thorp, editor-in-chief of Science, spoke to Olin’s graduates about entering the world in a time of divisiveness and uncertainty. His advice? “Tune it out and do what you think is right. You have the tools to decide and execute. You have the knowledge. You have the conscience,” he reminded them. “Nobody is normal. Institutions aren’t perfect. Do the work,” said Thorp. “With these ideas, you’re ready for anything.”
Dr. Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of Science Magazine, and the featured speaker, speaks during Olin's Commencement ceremony, on May 16, 2025
Photo by Leise Jones.
Following his speech, President Barabino presented an honorary degree to Thorp in recognition of his advocacy for science and giving voice to scientists and the broader community.
“You are unparalleled in your courage, advocacy, communication, contributions and impact. For that, we thank you and we honor you.”
Olin President Gilda A. Barabino, Ph.D., presents an honorary degree to Dr. Holden Thorp in recognition of his advocacy for science and giving voice to scientists and the broader community.
Photo by Leise Jones.
Jeannie Diefenderfer, Chair of the Olin Board of Trustees, welcomed the graduates and their families, the trustees, and special guests Bill Norden and Rick Miller, president emeritus. Her message to the Class of 2025: “You mark a very special milestone for Olin College. As Olin’s 20th graduating class, you are the legacy of everyone who came together to launch this place more than 20 years ago.
“This is a particularly appropriate time for Oliners to double down on your strengths as innovators and collaborators to create a better world. Do what you do best – do what Olin has taught you how to do – focus on people. Make human connections. Open your aperture of curiosity to learn about your neighbors. Your colleagues. Learn about the people with whom it seems like you have little common ground,” she advised. “When you remain open to human connections and approach uncertainty with curiosity—the outcome will surprise you.”
Jeannie H. Diefenderfer, Board of Trustees, Chair, speaks to the graduates at Commencement on May 16, 2025.
Photo by Leise Jones.
Watch the Commencement 2025 compilation video!
Tom Cecil ’06 greeted the Class of 2025 on behalf of alumni and urged the graduates to connect and come back. “The community you’re joining today – the community of Olin Alumni – is one of most impressive collections of people you’ll ever find,” he said. “It’s near impossible to succinctly state how lucky we are to have such a fantastic group of intelligent, hard-working, and compassionate humans, all bound by shared aspects of the Olin experience.”
“When you move, find the Olin alumni near you and reach out. Stay in touch with friends, reconnect with old acquaintances, and meet alumni you’ve never even seen once before. In years of meeting with other Oliners, I don’t regret a single meal or a coffee I had with any of them, and today I count many alumni as my clients and friends.”
Tom Cecil '06, the ceremony's Alumni Speaker, shares his speech at the podium during Commencement exercises on May 16, 2025.
Photo by Leise Jones.
Malvina Clavering ’25, nominated by her class to speak on behalf of the graduates, noted her peers’ commitment to building culture, as well as their propensity for dance.
“Yes, the Class of 2025 can dance. I know because I’ve seen you: from 2N parties to impromptu bachata to line dancing in SCOPE. We’ve danced on the great lawn on the 21st night of September, in the dining hall line, in dorms, and gyms, and boardrooms. I think the best parts of our culture comes out when we dance.”
View Diploma photos!
Malvina Clavering ’25, Commencement Class Speaker, shares her speech at the podium during Olin's Commencement on May 16, 2025.
Photo by Leise Jones.
Sarah Spence Adams, Professor of Mathematics and Electrical and Computer Engineering, was nominated by the class to give remarks on behalf of Olin’s faculty and staff. True to form, she opened her remarks with a math question, and segued to reflections about the class—aided by contributions shared by students and families.
Her advice to the graduates? “See possibilities where others see problems. Consider multiple ways to approach a problem. Remember that sometimes a problem makes more sense if you change your perspective, or, sorry, I have to say this because I’m a mathematician, change your basis or coordinate frame.”
Professor Sarah Spence Adams, Faculty Speaker, addresses the audience at Olin's Commencement, on May 16, 2025.
Photo by Leise Jones.
The degree conferral was aided by Robert Martello, Co-chair of Faculty Affairs and Professor of the History of Science and Technology, Linda Canavan, Registrar and Associate Dean for academic programs, and Cara Mulrooney ’24, the commencement announcer who read the graduates’ 15-words. Each year an alum from a recent graduating class takes on this special role during the ceremony. The tradition of the 15-words dates to Olin’s very first Commencement in 2006 and was incorporated into the ceremony to provide graduates with an opportunity for personal expression.
