From Curiosity to Impact: Commonwealth Honors College Celebrates 2025 Graduates : Commonwealth Honors College : UMass Amherst

Students listen during Celebration of Excellence at the University of Massachusetts

Photo by Mikey Hadley

Commonwealth Honors College held its annual Celebration of Excellence on April 29 celebrating the Honors graduating class of 2025. The celebration recognized the 583 Honors graduates, representing 64 majors at the University of Massachusetts.

As students took their seats in the Tillis Performance Hall at the Bromery Center for the Arts, a slideshow preceded the event. The ceremony then featured convocation messages from Commonwealth Honors College Dean Mari Castañeda, Chancellor Javier Reyes, Provost Fouad Abd-El-Khalick, and student speaker Laleh Lea Panahi, operations and information management and journalism '25.

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Photo by Eva Trainer

Dean Mari Castañeda welcomed the graduates with encouraging words:
"This academic journey has helped you develop the skills to understand the complex problems of this world and to respond to society's changing needs. You have engaged in critical thinking, you have engaged in advanced research and creative practices, you have assumed leadership positions, you have volunteered in communities, you have advocated for a better tomorrow, and now you are well-positioned to positively impact our world with a heart and mind that is oriented towards a culture of care."

Castañeda concluded her remarks by welcoming Chancellor Reyes to the stage. Reyes highlighted topics explored in Honors Theses of the graduates, including:

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Photo by Eva Trainer

Cannabis social equity programs and legal cannabis markets in US states
Ethical and safety considerations in self-driving car algorithms
Neoliberal policies and inequality in Lebanon
Intrinsic resistance mechanisms of mycobacteria to cationic detergents
Acoustic-perceptual and prosodic speech characteristics in adolescents with autism
Influence and impact that student athletes have on social media
Sexual violence and trauma through choreography
Effects of physical activity on overnight sleep quality and sleep pressure in early childhood
Role of outside spending in shaping US election outcomes

"Your commitment to inquiry, discovery, and the advancement of knowledge gives me great hope for our future,” Reyes said.

Following the Chancellor's address, Provost Abd-El-Khalick spoke to the graduates, noting:

"You have explored ideas, challenged assumptions, and made life-long connections. And you have built the intellectual capital and capabilities that will last you a lifetime. You are ready for what comes next."

Reflections from a 2025 Graduate

Student speaker Laleh Panahi began her remarks by acknowledging the collective journey of her fellow graduates.

Each of us has embarked on a journey of academic rigor, critical inquiry, and creative problem-solving. But more importantly, we have used our education not just to advance our own futures, but to make an impact in our communities.

Panahi then shared her personal academic focus, explaining, "Curiosity has driven my passion for the intersection of foster care advocacy and data science."

Laleh Panahi speaks during Celebration of Excellence at the University of Massachusetts

Photo by Eva Trainer

"I have always believed that stories are at the core of social change, but in a data-driven world, numbers tell a story of their own. Data can illuminate systemic failures, identify opportunities for reform, and, most importantly, bring tangible change. It is this blend of storytelling and technology that fuels my work, and I am grateful to be part of an academic community that encourages interdisciplinary exploration and problem-solving," she continued.

She emphasized the defining characteristic of Honors College students: "But perhaps the most defining characteristic of an Honors College student is a commitment to social impact... For many of us, this commitment is deeply personal. I know that for me, the urgency of my work is shaped by my own experiences. My father’s battle with terminal brain cancer has reshaped my understanding of time, of purpose, and of the impact one can have in the lives of others."

Continuing with a touching reflection on her parents, Panahi shared that her father's health struggles "taught me that the most meaningful work is not just what we achieve for ourselves, but what we do for those who need us most."

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Photo by Eva Trainer

"My father’s quiet tenacity and unrelenting work ethic have grounded me through the hardest moments, showing me that discipline and perseverance often shape us more than any single moment of triumph. And my mother’s unwavering generosity and instinctive care for others have shown me the power of empathy as a form of strength."

Panahi concluded her speech with an inspiring call to action:

"As we step into the next chapter of our lives, let us hold onto the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and impact that has brought us here today. Let us not only seek excellence, but to empower those around us. The world needs thoughtful, passionate, and driven individuals now more than ever. And I have no doubt that the Commonwealth Honors College Class of 2025 will rise to the challenge."

The celebration culminated with graduates crossing the stage at the Bromery Center, where they received gold stoles in recognition of their achievements.