Mat-Su College honors class of 2025

They came to Mat-Su College and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) from different backgrounds, with different stories, and different plans for the future, but all of the graduates gathered on May 9 with a singular goal-to enter the next phase of their lives as college graduates.

Some graduates walked away with occupational endorsement certificates, others with an Associate Degree, whether it was in General Education Requirements, Arts, Accounting, to name a few, while a few walked the stage after earning a Bachelor’s Degree.

Commencement Speaker Dr. Liz Ripley congratulated the graduates and told them that this milestone is something that no one can take away. She said that like her, the graduates are at a crossroads, processing what’s next while continuing to learn and grow, whether it is through furthering education or entering the workforce.

She offered four recommendations to help set the graduating students up for success no matter where they go next, using baseball as a metaphor.

“Appreciate the managers, coaches, and fans…acknowledge the people who helped get you here,” she told the graduates. She said that while many come to Alaska to chart their own path and embrace the rugged individualism that makes Alaskans unique, most do not achieve success on their own. “You likely had people coaching you, helping manage facets of your life, or encouraging you to keep going.”

She also told students to be curious and think critically, because life, like baseball, is a thinking game.

“You and I need to find our way in a world experiencing chaotic disruption to almost every system, norm, and structure.” She encouraged graduates to be healthy, defend and promote public education and higher education, and participate in civic engagement, including voting.

She also advised students to step up to the plate and lean into the pitch, and to not worry about knocking it out of the park-just connect with your teammates.

“Life isn’t an individual sport…remember to connect and prioritize relationships.”

The 2025 Commencement Student Speaker Ethan Griswold

“He was picked to speak here today because of his thoughtful perspective and ability to authentically represent the diverse experiences of his graduating class,” Dr. Gardner said of Griswold, and as he took to the podium, he spoke about his own experiences during his last semester of always showing up to class but sometimes only smiling his way through the day after experiencing frustration beforehand, like other students had probably done.

“Yet here we are. We’re still standing. We’re still showing up, and that has to count for something.”

He thanked the faculty, families, and friends on behalf of the Class of 2025, expressing love and gratitude for helping the graduates remain committed to their goals.

“It means more than words can express to be standing here, representing not just my journey, but our collective journey.”

And to the Class of 2025, Griswold summed up what everyone in the audience was saying and thinking.

“We did it!”