Approximately 730 graduating seniors participated in the ceremony, held on Sunday, May 4 at Ray and Sue Smith Stadium.

With the members of Hope College’s graduating Class of 2025 about to leave the familiar routine of the school year on Sunday, May 4, Commencement speaker Dr. Lauren Hearit offered a new way of structuring their lives — one guided by hope, even as their time at Hope was drawing to a close.

The Hope College family is mourning the death of sophomore Jennifer Kasunick of Bay Village, Ohio, who died on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, of injuries sustained when she was struck by a train.