Congratulations, Class of 2025!

Magnificat’s 67th annual Commencement Ceremony celebrated the Class of 2025 on May 20, gathering graduates, faculty, family, and friends in the Center for the Performing Arts. Paige Gannon ’25 spoke on behalf of the 165 graduates, describing their journey from being classmates to a sisterhood to becoming a family over the course of their time at Magnificat.

“Everything we have learned from high school, through instruction, experience, or our relationships, has prepared us for success,” Gannon said. “For some, success will be getting a certain job, for others it will be the way we impact our communities, and for many of us it will be the relationships we form. Success will look different for all of us, but one thing will always be true: Every person on this stage has the ability to make the world a better place.”

Dean of Faculty and Academics Colleen Greller presented Magnificat’s top awards, which honor one or more aspects of the school’s Mission, to five distinguished graduates. Madeline Turner ’25 was named Phi Beta Kappa; Alyssa Ianiro ’25 received the Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM, Leadership Award; Alice Land ’25 received the Nancy Powell Service Award; Noelle Nassar ’25 received the Sister Bernadette Vetter, HM, Award; and the Sister Thea Bowman Intercultural Engagement Award was presented to Sophia Factora ’25.

Greller acknowledged the collective achievements of the Class of 2025, noting the two National Merit Commended Scholars, three National Merit Semifinalists, 89 members of the National Honor Society, 56 who earned Concentration Diplomas, 77 who qualified for Academic Honors, and 42 who received the President’s Award of Academic Excellence.

“The artistic, athletic, and academic talents of our graduates have earned many awards,” Greller said. “More importantly, these young women have been characterized by generous service and leadership. Their care for one another and for those in need is quiet evidence that they have made Magnificat’s Mission and Values their own.”

The Master of Ceremonies was First Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors Meg Jeffers Rowe ’87, and Senior Vice President of Mission and Strategic Initiatives Katie Higgins ’99 shared a special message from President Moira Clark ’77, who was not able to attend: “We share your excitement as you formally complete your Magnificat education. As you graduate tonight and officially join the sisterhood of the alumnae of Magnificat, know that you are forever a part of the Magnificat community, and that you will remain in our hearts and prayers as you go forward and your lives continue to unfold.”

On the Sunday before Graduation, the Baccalaureate Mass was held at Magnificat for all senior families and presided over by Rev. Dan Schlegel of Saint Raphael Parish. Maddie Kowalski ’25 and Abbey Norman ’25 shared a blessing for families, and Higgins’ blessing over the Class of 2025 concluded: “May you go forward in the spirit of humility and hope, using your values and your voice to help make our world more loving and just. And in the words of the Magnificat, Anima Mea Dominum, ‘May your soul proclaim the greatness of the Lord,’ this day and always.’”

The Class of 2025 will be attending the following colleges and universities this fall:

Allegheny College

Arizona State University

Baldwin Wallace University

Belmont University

Bowling Green State University (4)

Carnegie Mellon University

Chapman University

Clemson University

Cleveland Institute of Art

Cleveland State University (4)

Coastal Carolina University

College of Charleston (3)

College of Wooster

Creighton University

Denison University

DePauw University (2)

Duquesne University

Fairfield University

Fordham University

Haverford College

High Point University (2)

Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana University - Indianapolis

John Carroll University (7)

Kent State University (3)

Loyola University Chicago (2)

Marietta College

McMaster University

Mercyhurst University (4)

Miami University (16)

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Mount Holyoke College

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Northern Kentucky University

Ohio State University (34)

Ohio University (10)

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

Stonehill College

University of Alabama

University of Akron

University of Chicago

University of Cincinnati (7)

University of Dayton (10)

University of Detroit Mercy (2)

University of Iowa

University of Kentucky (4)

University of Maryland

University of Miami (2)

University of Mississippi

University of Notre Dame

University of Pittsburgh

University of South Carolina

Ursuline College

Villanova University (2)

West Virginia University

Wright State University

Xavier University (2)