Wilbur Wright College Graduation Celebration Preview

By: Alexandra Brown

Congratulations, Class of 2025! Graduation is around the corner on May 3, and events to celebrate City College graduates will begin at the end of April and last through the beginning of May.

Katie Ordinario, Director of Student Activities at Wilbur Wright College says, “GradFest 2025 is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates. Activities are designed to showcase graduates and give them a chance to connect with faculty and staff that have made an impact on them during their time at Wilbur Wright College. We also want to display these events to our current students to encourage them to strive for completion.” 

To kick off the celebration, students are invited to the Lavender Graduation Ceremony on April 24 at Harold Washington College from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m

“As an Associate Dean, advisor to the Harold Washington College Pride Alliance, and member of the LGBTQ community, it gives me great joy to help create spaces where our students, regardless of their identity, can be celebrated and have their entire personhood celebrated. I am excited we’re able to offer this setting again in 2025 and hope that this tradition continues for many years to come.” says Associate Dean Joe Hinton.

Following Lavender Graduation is Grad Fest beginning April 28 through May 1. During this four day long festival at Wright College, students will pick up their cap and gown, celebrate the end of their time as a Wright College Student and the beginning of the next chapter in their education or career. 

Flyer for graduation events starting April 28.

“Earning a degree is such a huge accomplishment, and we’re so proud of our students. We hope to see many of them at the upcoming events,” said Student Activities Coordinator at Wright College, Mary Kincaid. 

Most activities for graduates will be held in the atrium including the Multicultural Affinity and Pinning Ceremony, Farewell to Grads Luau, and 2025 Graduate Academic Awards Ceremony. 

“I’m excited to graduate and move on to a university. My time at Wright College was a very smart decision. Being a star scholar I saved a lot of money getting my associate's degree in the arts and had wonderful support from advisors and professors,”  said graduating student Dylan Henke, who wants to pursue a career in music.

Fellow graduating student Nicole Chmelar said, “I am super excited for graduation, but I know I’ll miss Wright College. The past two years went by extremely fast and I can’t believe I’m about to complete my associates. Wright was honestly the best thing I could have ever chosen for myself, as going out of high school I wasn’t 100% sure of what I wanted to do and I was able to really explore my options here.”

May 1 is National College Decision Day, and Wright College will celebrate its own to commemorate students committing to schools. There will be a luncheon at 11 am in the Faculty Dining Area.