The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) held its Fall 2025 Commencement on December 19 at the Broadmoor World Arena, conferring over 1,000 degrees to graduates. The ceremony included the awarding of 21 doctoral degrees, 245 master’s degrees, 56 associate degrees, and 773 bachelor’s degrees.
Key speakers at the event were Joel Tonyan, Kraemer Family Library Director of User Experience & Associate Professor; Jennifer Sobanet, Chancellor of UCCS; Todd Saliman, President of the University of Colorado system; and Tom Arata, a member of the Class of 1987 who is an Air Force veteran and retired business leader.
“Life has many passages, the transitions from one period to another,” said Tonyan. “Cultures, the world over, mark these transitions with ceremonies steeped in tradition. Commencement is an important ritual for the human spirit, signifying great accomplishment and moving on to a world of possibilities. Today is a momentous day; we honor these graduates’ past achievements and celebrate their bright futures. It is my great pleasure to present them to you, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ Class of 2025.”
Chancellor Sobanet addressed graduates by stating: “Commencement is a joyous time where we reflect on how far you’ve come and the purpose you carry forward. As UCCS celebrates 60 years of impact in Southern Colorado, this moment invites us to honor both our legacy and our future. The world’s challenges are real, but so is our capacity to meet them. At UCCS we are powered by people who lead with care and courage, grounded in research and creative works, and deeply connected to Colorado and its communities. We serve generously, invest our talents in our communities, and engage in civil discourse that fuels new ideas and meaningful solutions. By honoring our differences and drawing strength from what unites us, we carry the Mountain Lion spirit into the next chapter—advancing our community, our nation, and our world.”
President Saliman congratulated graduates with his remarks: “Congratulations, graduates – you did it! You worked hard to reach this moment, and here you are! You should be proud of yourselves. All of us in the CU community are incredibly proud of you, and we’re excited to celebrate you today and all that you’ve accomplished. In earning your degree, you’ve proven – to yourselves and to others – that you can achieve great things. And this is just the beginning. Whichever path you take from here, I know – and you should too – that you have what it takes to succeed.”
He continued: “Keep learning, remain curious and continue to listen and think critically about what you hear and how you respond,” he continued. “As you do these things, you’ll serve as powerful models for others. You’ll show them the value of doing the work to dig deeper into an issue, to really hear someone else’s perspective and to pause for self-reflection. It’s not magic. It’s practice. Which doesn’t mean that it’s easy. But you’re up to the challenge. You’ve proven that you can do hard things. And quite simply, we need your help. Just as anger and hate can be contagious, so too are the skills you’ve honed at CU. What you have learned can light the way forward for all of us. You are graduating with the blessing of an education. You are also graduating with a responsibility. One that we all share. As you move forward know that you have an amazing CU community behind you and amazing experiences ahead of you.”
The ceremony also recognized Silver Graduates from the Class of 2000 who marked their 25th graduation anniversary.
Students receiving Associate of General Studies degrees were acknowledged as well after approval by the University of Colorado Board of Regents in April 2023 allowed students who had earned at least 70 credits over ten years but had not completed their degree requirements a pathway toward credentialing for completed coursework.
Regent Montera along with Regent Vandriel concluded proceedings by delivering The Norlin Charge—a tradition originating from CU Boulder president George Norlin’s speech at commencement in June 1935—which reminds each graduate they will always carry part of their university experience throughout life.
“Commencement does not mean as many wrongly think—the breaking of ties or beginning life apart,” reads The Norlin Charge.“Rather it marks your initiation in fullest sense into fellowship with university—as bearers her torch centers influence promoters her spirit.”
“The university consists all who come into go forth from her halls touched by influence carry on her spirit Wherever go university goes with Wherever work there university work.”
