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University of St. Martin held its 31st commencement in June 2025
The University of St. Martin held its 31st commencement on 14 June 2025 at the Aleeze Convention Center for degree, GED and ESL graduates, and marked the first UVI bachelor's degree earned by a student studying at USM, according to the university.
By SXM Daily ·
Reported 14 June 2025.
The University of St. Martin (USM) held its 31st commencement on Saturday 14 June 2025 at the Aleeze Convention Center, honouring graduates of its degree, GED and English as a Second Language programmes. According to the university, the theme was "Empowered to Lead, Inspired to Transform."
Speakers
According to USM, the graduates heard from board president Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet, USM president Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez, dean of academics Dr. Gale T.C. Rigobert and Education Minister Melissa Gumbs. Dr. Safiya George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), gave an "AHA" message urging action, hope and attitude.
Keynote speaker Emilia Connor-Thomas called on the graduates to lead and become agents of positive change. She gave each degree graduate a carnation to pass on to someone who had helped them through their studies, a gesture USM said brought several graduates to tears.
A first for UVI at USM
USM said Joseph Lake Jr. was recognised as the first person to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from UVI while studying at USM, a sign of the growing partnership between the two universities. Several degree graduates finished magna cum laude, and Juliana Shipley Hodge received the Outstanding Faculty Award.
GED graduates received their diplomas from coordinator Lisa Davis-Burnett and Dr. Rigobert, and ESL students received their Level 4 English certificates from coordinator Corinne Lejuez-van Putten and Dr. Carmona Báez.
Related
The year before, USM held its 30th commencement with 25 graduates.
Sources
Source: https://www.usm.sx/news/empowered-to-lead-inspired-to-transform-usm-class-of-2025-282