Scenes from spring 2025 graduation weekend

A woman stands in front of a Penn State photo background.

Students traveled to University Park to attend Penn State's commencement ceremonies.

May 13, 2025

By Hannah Pollock

Many Penn State World Campus students traveled to the University Park campus the weekend of May 9–11 to attend the University's spring commencement ceremonies.

A group of adults and children pose in front of a blue background.

Grads Joel and Vanezza Rodriguez with their family. Both Rodriguezes graduated with a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies and are Army veterans.

Mike Dawson

Penn State World Campus students can request to attend in-person commencement ceremonies at University Park or a campus of their choice.

The Penn State World Campus spring Class of 2025 included 1,556 students who earned degrees in 99 of the more than 200 programs offered online. The graduates ranged in age from 16 to 74 years old and included 254 people with a military affiliation.

Two of those graduates are Joel and Vanezza Rodriguez, a married couple who met as soldiers in the U.S. Army. Both earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. The Rodriguezes and other military-connected grads attended Penn State's Military Honor Cord Ceremony, where they received red, white, and blue honor cords to wear during their academic commencement ceremonies.

On May 10, Penn State World Campus hosted a reception for grads and their supporters at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The event included free alumni gear, professional photography, food, Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream, and time to socialize with members of the World Campus community.

Check out some highlights from the spring 2025 Penn State World Campus Reception!

Vice Provost for Online Education Renata Engel talks with 2025 grad Lauren Carden. The Penn State World Campus Reception is attended by campus leadership, staff, and faculty members.

Hannah Pollock

Blue oval signs with uplifting messages.

The photo booth includes signs for grads, family, and friends.

Hannah Pollock

Three people hold signs in front of a Penn State photo background.

Nikki Sponito earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is passionate about advocating for mental health and hopes to work with a range of populations and psychopathologies.

Hannah Pollock

A hand pushes a pin into a world map with other pins.

Grads pinned their hometown on a world map, showcasing where the Class of 2025 lives.

Hannah Pollock

Four people pose in front of a Penn State background.

Members of the Penn State World Campus Student Affairs team helped celebrate the grads during the reception at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Hannah Pollock

Four women pose in front of a Penn State photo background.

College of Education coordinator of online programs and faculty member Karen Paulson poses with two of the graduating Master of Education in Higher Education students.

Hannah Pollock

A group of people gather around arcade games.

The reception is a family-friendly event with activities to keep the young (and young at heart) entertained.

Hannah Pollock

Two women pose in front of a Penn State photo background.

Haley Friary-Schenk with her daughter, Aly. Friary-Schenk earned a bachelor's in organizational leadership and will start a master's program online through Penn State World Campus in May.

Mike Dawson

Three people gather around a table of small items.

Grads can pick up free alumni gear at the event.

Hannah Pollock

A professional photographer is available to take free photos of grads and their loved ones during the reception.

Hannah Pollock

A woman wearing a graduation gown holds a small locket with a photo of a loved one.

Grads wear stoles and honor cords to attend their academic commencement ceremonies. Grad Haley Friary-Schenk wore a gift from her daughter with a photo and message of a passed loved one.

Hannah Pollock

Two women stand in front of a Penn State photo background.

Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management grad Gina Bakey poses with assistant vice provost of the Chaiken Center for Student Success Dawn Coder. Both got to know one another while Bakey served as a Penn State World Campus peer guide mentor.

Hannah Pollock