The College of Arts and Sciences celebrated the class of 2025 during this year's
commencement ceremony on June 12. Dean David Brown, PhD, welcomed the crowd to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, which, for the day, he described as the “happiest place on earth!”
“Whether you’re graduating with a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD, this is a huge accomplishment to be celebrated with family, friends, faculty, advisors and everyone in your circle of support,” Brown said. “Because let's face it, graduating from college is no easy feat! From the very beginning, you have navigated your academic journey from roommates and course selection to study labs and office hours—all for the greater good of getting to this moment.”
Tasneem Siddique, BS biological sciences ’25, addressed her fellow graduates as this year’s student speaker. Her speech focused on the importance of advocating for oneself and others, a skill she says she learned during her four years at Drexel.
“Advocacy is not just a skill we use when it’s convenient; it’s a responsibility we carry into every space we enter,” Siddique said. “Drexel has prepared us to navigate this complex world, not just to exist in it, but to engage with it. Your voice, your well-being and your goals—they matter deeply. So take the time to advocate for what matters most to you, whether it's other communities, animals, the environment, or another cause. But most importantly, I encourage each of you to utilize the powerful skill of advocacy in every aspect of your lives.”
The college welcomed alum
Colleen Wolfe, BA communication ’08, to deliver the keynote address. Since 2014, Wolfe has been a host at NFL Media, covering a variety of primetime shows and events such as the Draft and Super Bowl. She contributes to the NFL Daily podcast and co-hosts Women’s Sports Now on Roku.
Wolfe reflected on her time at Drexel, emphasizing the value of the co-op program, which was the deciding factor for her to attend. “The co-op program is why I’m working for the NFL today,” she said. “Because Drexel throws you into the real world while you're still figuring out how to fold a fitted sheet—and it works. My time here was chaotic, joyful, challenging and completely unforgettable.”
The life lessons that Wolfe began to learn as a student at Drexel have guided her throughout her career and helped her achieve success. Wolfe shared words of wisdom with the class of 2025 as graduates embark on their next chapter.
“Every single one of you is built differently. But together, you’ve all done something extraordinary,” Wolfe said. “You’ve trained your mind to explore, to analyze, to empathize. Whether you studied politics, biology, philosophy, psychology, English, environmental science—or some glorious mix of all the above—what you’ve really learned is how to make sense of a world that rarely hands out answer keys.
“This world needs artists, scientists, storytellers, analysts and advocates. It needs curious people who can bridge disciplines and imagine something better. It needs you.”