Ceremony Information| Fun Facts ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ the Class of 2025 | Get to Know the Student Speaker| Student Singers | More Commencement Celebrations

Ceremony information

WHEN:

 Saturday, May 10, 2025

A detailed timeline can be found here.

WHERE:

The front lawn of Dean Hall, along Awpie Way, on the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ campus, 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA. A livestream will also be available .

Who:

• Mark D. Boyce, interim president of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ
• Jay R. Leiendecker, chairman of the Board of Trustees
• Amanda Shields, student keynote speaker
• Student Singers

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Fun facts about the class of 2025

• Total number of graduates: 246
• Number of Graduates earning double majors: 8
• Number of countries represented: 3 (U.S., Japan, Australia)
• Number of U.S. states represented: 22
• Percentage of graduates from out-of-state: 49%
• Percentage of graduates who lived on campus their senior year: 86%
• Percentage of graduates who participated in an Athletic Program while at Dean: 35%
• Percentage of graduates who are first-generation college students: 36%
• Percentage of graduates who received financial aid while at Dean: 96%
• Top Majors for the Class of 2025

1. Business Management
2. Dance
3. Criminal Justice
4. Sport Management
5. Communication
6. Exercise Science 

• Number of graduates who have earned honors designations: 91
• Number of siblings graduating together: 1 set of twins
• Number of active-duty military or veterans: 2
• Number of legacy graduates: 1 (their grandfather was in the Class of 1963)

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get to know amanda shields

Amanda Shields has been chosen to be the Commencement student speaker for the Class of 2025. Find out a little more about Amanda and her time at Dean.

Major: Communications

Minor: Dance

Associates: Early Childhood Education

Hometown: Oxford, Massachusetts

Student Organizations:

• Step Team – Member for four years and served as president her senior year.
• Musical Theatre Troupe – Featured dance ensemble cast member.
• New Student Orientation (NSO) Team – Served as an NSO leader for two years and a team leader for one year.
• Power 88 Radio Station – Was an on-air DJ for two semesters.

Performances:

• Collaboration Showcase
• Arts Connect Showcase
• Rise Showcase
• Homecoming
• ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Stage at Patriot Place
• MTT Spring Cabaret
• Stage reading for the Werk Your Craft club

Athletics:

• Men’s Baseball Manager – She helps run the team's social media.

Academic Honors & Scholarships:

• Honors Program since 2021
•  Inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) in 2022
• Oliver Dean Honors Scholarship
• Dean Difference Award Scholarship
• Paula M. Rooney Endowed Scholarship
• Dean’s List x4
• President’s list x3

Fun Facts:

• Amanda is a TikTok content creator with a following of 77,000
• Amanda is a brand ambassador for Nerdy Nuts (a peanut butter company)
• Amanda is a brand ambassador for Pink Lily (an online boutique for women)

Future Plans:

• Amanda would like to land a job as a social media manager after graduation.
• She plans to continue her passion for dance as a choreographer at dance studios.
• Her dream is to continue dance training in New York City and eventually become a Radio City Rockette.
• She will also continue to pursue a successful career as a content creator on TikTok.

In Her Own Words:

“One of the experiences at Dean I am most grateful for is being a part of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ’s Step Team all four years. I tried out for the team not knowing much about Step dancing, and here I am in my senior year serving as the team president. Being president of the team is one of my greatest achievements here at Dean, and I have had so much fun performing with the team and choreographing for them. 

I am also beyond grateful for the people I have met at Dean. I have found my best friends, who have truly helped me become who I am today. We encourage each other to make the most of our experiences here and to be the best versions of ourselves.  Dean has truly helped me find my second family. I would be lost without them!”

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student singers

The following graduating students have been chosen to perform at Commencement this year.

A Beginning Not an End & The Alma Mater                        

• Dylan Beaty
• Ayman Boudrari
• Trisha Dobson
• Cassius Cornelius Kane
• Ella Mooradian
• Duncan O’Rourke
• Zoe Squeglia
• Avery Mary Alice Sullivan

The Star-Spangled Banner                                                    

• Trisha Dobson
• Ella Mooradian
• Avery Mary Alice Sullivan

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More commencement celebrations

• Senior Celebration Days will be held May 7 to 9. For more information, click here.
• The Graduating Student Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This is an invite-only event. A will be available.