The class of 2025 is ready to take their place as the newest alumni of Our Lady's University.

These women and men have worked to acquire the knowledge needed to be a force for good in the world. This page details the celebration and reflection of Commencement 2025, from the preparations made for this momentous occasion, to the stories of those participating in the ceremonies, to the sights and sounds of the ceremony itself.

Graduates in black gowns and mortarboards with gold and red tassels stand with arms around each other, some holding diplomas.

Commencement Recap

Relive the sights, sounds and memorable moments of the University's 180th commencement ceremony, May 18, 2025.

A military officer in a white dress uniform applauds at a podium bearing the University of Notre Dame logo.

Commencement Address

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a blue and gold academic robe, speaks at a microphone.

Laetare Acceptance

A graduating student with long brown hair, wearing a black graduation robe and colorful cords, speaks at a podium bearing the University of Notre Dame logo.

Valedictory Address

A person wearing a blue academic robe and mortarboard with gold accents speaks at a wooden podium bearing the University of Notre Dame logo.

Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.: Charge to Class of 2025

Other Videos and Transcripts

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Sights of the Class of 2025

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Notre Dame students hold lit candles and song sheets during an outdoor evening vigil. Students light votive candles in the Grotto at the University of Notre Dame. A graduating student in a white dress tosses their mortarboard into the air, with the Main Building's Golden Dome visible through the trees in the background. Hands hold a smartphone taking a photo of graduates in blue gowns gathered in front of Morrissey Hall at the University of Notre Dame. A blurred crowd wearing blue is visible in the background. Two U.S. Marines in dress uniform salute each other beside a red Marine Corps flag. A smiling graduate in a black cap and gown with a white, orange, and teal stole smiles during the University of Notre Dame commencement ceremony. Graduates in academic regalia hold a large American flag at a ceremony, with clergy on a raised platform in the background. Notre Dame graduates in academic regalia with blue and gold stoles hold open books during the Commencement ceremony. Three graduating students in black gowns and gold-tasseled mortarboards hug. One laughs, holding a phone and program. Two graduating students walk past the Clarke Memorial Fountain at the University of Notre Dame. One holds a program and the other looks at their phone. Their reflections are visible in the water, along with a duck. Notre Dame graduates in black gowns and blue and gold stoles celebrate with confetti and cheers in Notre Dame Stadium. Graduates in black gowns and gold tassels process into Notre Dame Stadium for Commencement. The blurred motion shows them walking down ramps into the stadium, with spectators and rows of white chairs visible on the field.

Last Visit to the Grotto

On May 15th, seniors made their last visit to the Grotto together as a class. The event marks the end of Senior Week and the beginning of Commencement Weekend.

Vice President for Student Affairs Rev. Gerry Ollinger, C.S.C., in front of a crowd of students, says a blessing during the Seniors’ Last Visit to the Grotto during Senior Week 2025.
A graduating student holds a University of Notre Dame diploma.

Notre Dame to confer 3,099 degrees over Commencement Weekend, May 17-18

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Four students walk and talk near a blooming magnolia tree outside a brick building on the University of Notre Dame campus.

Dear Future Me

Members of the graduating class reflect on their time at Notre Dame by reading letters they wrote four years ago.

A student wearing a white hooded sweatshirt stands at a microphone on campus with the Hesburgh Library mural in the background.

What will you miss most about Notre Dame?

A bald man in a dark suit and white collared shirt and tie faces forward. He has a serious expression. The U.S. flag and the Joint Chiefs of Staff flag are visible in the background.

Commencement Speaker

Adm. Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

News Release

Two smiling students stand in front of an arched entryway of a Notre Dame building. The woman on the left wears a green jacket, and the man on the right wears a navy suit with a floral tie.

Valedictorian & Salutatorian

Clare Cullinan & Bennett Schmitt

Feature

A white woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles against a purple backdrop. She wears a black blazer over a royal blue top and a silver necklace.

Laetare Medalist

Kerry Alys Robinson

Feature News Release

Quick Links

Graduates in black gowns and blue stoles celebrate with high kicks in front of the Notre Dame Stadium commencement stage.

Follow @notredame on social media
to join in the celebration.