Wilmington University’s Class of 2025 

Wilmington University celebrated its 54th Commencement ceremonies on June 1-2, 2025, awarding more than 3,900 academic degrees at the Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, Delaware.  

Graduates, spanning ages from 18 to 73, represented 61 countries on continents including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America. More than 2,100 completed their degrees entirely online. The online graduating student residing the furthest distance from Delaware lived in Japan. Additionally, 680 students graduated from Wilmington University’s corporate partner organizations. All graduates automatically joined Wilmington University’s Alumni Association, comprising 75,000 members.  

Commencement speeches highlighted the vital roles of encouragement and support from loved ones, mentors and the University community.  

Speakers 

Eight ceremonies represented the WilmU colleges. Speakers included: 

• Ms. Mari Biscieglia – B.S. in Elementary Education, K-6 (College of Education & Liberal Arts) 

• Mr. Thomas Burt – M.S. in Digital Communication (College of Technology) 

• Dr. Kathleen “Kate” Gemma – Doctor of Business Administration (College of Business)  

• Ms. Abigail Hammer-Rupp – B.S. in Digital Communication (College of Technology) 

• Ms. Kushi Santosh Khandoji – B.S. in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence (College of Technology) 

• Ms. Summer McMenamin – M.S. in Health Sciences with a concentration in Population Health (College of Health Professions & Natural Sciences) 

• Mr. Nicholas Phillips – B.S. in Behavioral Science with a concentration in Emotional Intelligence (College of Social & Behavioral Sciences) 

• Mr. Paul Seiverd – B.S. in Organizational Leadership (College of Business) 

Summer McMenamin, who graduated with a Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Population Health, represented WilmU’s College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences. Ms. McMenamin is vice president of the Delaware Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Delaware Grassroots Representative for the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network. 

Ms. McMenamin reflected on the graduates’ tenacity to earn their degrees. “Many of us, including me, are first-generation college graduates, breaking cycles and building legacies,” she said. “Some of us are caregivers, showing up for others while barely holding it together ourselves. Some are parents, who fit in our studies late at night after bedtime stories and packing lunches. Others have worked full time, squeezing in assignments between shifts, patients and family responsibilities. And many of us — we were doing all of the above, all at the same time.” 

Paul Seivard represented the College of Business. With over three decades of leadership experience, Mr. Seivard is a senior manager in supply chain operations at Macy’s, overseeing a direct-to-consumer distribution center. At WilmU, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, and he is a Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society member. 

“Wilmington University gave us the flexibility to do this on our terms,” Mr. Seivard said. “Whether we were logging onto class from the breakroom at work or writing essays at midnight, this school met us where we were and helped us to get us to where we wanted to be. For some, this degree is a start of a new career. For others, it may be a step up the ladder. And for some, like me, it’s a personal victory — a reminder that dreams do not come with expiration dates. This moment, this milestone, is ours.” 

“We are a graduating class of different faces and diverse backgrounds with unique stories and dreams, but we all found a place at Wilmington University,” said Speaker Kushi Santosh Khandoji during the College of Technology undergraduate programs ceremony. “We chose a university that became our second home, where faculty made it their mission to share knowledge, support our growth and encourage us every step of the way — a university that gave us the confidence to succeed. Throughout our journey to commencement, we also formed connections and friendships that will stay with us for a lifetime.” 

“It was frightening and hard and exhilarating, but we did it,” reflected Speaker Mari Biscieglia during the College of Education and Liberal Arts ceremony. “We made choices, encountered opportunities and overcame challenges that helped make us who we are today. Class of 2025, we have arrived at our moment.” 

Wilmington University congratulates the Class of 2025 for their academic accomplishments and wishes them continued success as they embark on the next chapter of their lives and careers.