BUSSW Commencement 2025: Photo Gallery & Recap
Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) celebrated its newest class of MSW and PhD graduates at the 2025 BUSSW Commencement Ceremony, May 15th. Graduating students from the online, off-campus and hybrid programs joined their Charles River classmates at the main Boston University campus for the big event, and loved ones came from far and wide to honor their accomplishments. We even witnessed a marriage proposal on the arena floor just after the ceremony — Andrew Stringer from the Worcester Hybrid Program asked his beloved girlfriend, Kristina, to get married and we’re happy to report she said yes! Despite a little rain, nothing could dampen spirits on this momentous occasion.
Browse through our photo gallery and recap to experience the day’s events.
Jump to a section:
- Photo Gallery, Pt. 1: Off-Campus & Online Programs Pre-Ceremony Reception
- Photo Gallery, Pt. 2: Procession & Ceremony
- Photo Gallery, Pt. 3: Post-Ceremony Reception
- Event Recap (text)
All photos by Dave Green Photography
Off-Campus & Online Programs Pre-Ceremony Reception
Procession & Ceremony
Post-Ceremony Reception
All photos by Dave Green Photography
Event Recap
Degrees were conferred to the Class of 2025 on Thursday, May 15, at the School’s 2025 Commencement ceremony at the Walter Brown Arena. The graduating class included students from BUSSW’s on-campus, online, off-campus and hybrid Master of Social Work (MSW) programs and its doctoral program.
Ricardo Neal (MSW ‘99), a BU School of Social Work (BUSSW) alum, and president and chief executive officer of We Will All Rise, a nationally recognized organization focused on improving life outcomes for young men of color across communities throughout the country, gave the convocation address, and graduating MSW student Gene Jerskey presented the student speech. Assist. Dean of Student Experience Sonia Mee presented the Excellence in Teaching Award to Assistant Prof. Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez — see the story here, and Dean Barbara Jones presented the class gift, a contribution to the BRIDGE Program Discretionary Fund as their class gift. The BRIDGE Program helps increase access to graduate social work education for those who have historically not had it, including those from around the globe, while addressing critical cultural competency needs within the human services workforce.
Prizes and scholarships were also presented to 13 graduating students, including Caren Hunter (CAS’99, SSW’25, Wheelock’25) whose BU graduation coincided with her daughter, Annica Hunter (CGS’23, CAS’25).
The awarding of diplomas and hooding marked the official transition from student to graduate. Dean Barbara Jones conferred the MSW degrees, and Associate Professor Astraea Augsberger, associate dean for doctoral education, conferred the doctoral degrees to the graduating students from BUSSW’s PhD in Social Work program.
Dean Jones presented farewell remarks followed by brief remarks from Angela Yarde, the president of the School’s Alumni Association, who welcomed the Class of 2025 to the School’s alumni body and invited them to participate in the association as members of the Alumni Board.
The remarks, followed by the recessional (“Feeling Good” by Lauryn Hill) marked the Class of 2025’s full transition from student to graduate.
Congratulations, BUSSW Class of 2025!