By By Irina Perry
Franklin University celebrated a major milestone as it held its 182nd Commencement Ceremony, honoring the achievements of 1,161 graduates from across the United States, Canada, and more than a dozen countries around the world.
Sucdi Mohamud with Amal
The ceremony opened with a heartfelt prayer of gratitude, recognizing the dedication, perseverance, and potential of every student. University leaders, faculty members, families, and friends gathered to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Chairman of the Board welcomed attendees and acknowledged fellow trustees Joseph Patrick and Phil Corkett, along with the faculty whose commitment helped students reach this important milestone.
Franklin University President Dr. David Decker reflected on the institution’s long-standing mission of creating opportunities through education.
“Each one of you graduating today has proved that you have the self-discipline and determination that it takes to succeed in the professions and in life,” Decker told graduates.
Founded in 1902, Franklin University has spent more than a century providing educational opportunities for working adults and lifelong learners. This year’s graduating class represented 31 states, two Canadian provinces, and numerous countries, highlighting the university’s diverse and global student body.
Among the graduates recognized during the ceremony was Sucdi Mohamud of Minnesota, who graduated with honors earning her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Her story reflects the perseverance, determination, and commitment that define many Franklin University students. Scudi’s achievement serves as a powerful reminder that with dedication and support, educational goals can be achieved regardless of life’s challenges and responsibilities.
The ceremony also recognized outstanding faculty members for their dedication to teaching excellence. The Robert L. Bailey Undergraduate Teaching Award was presented to Professor Brian Bodie, a psychology instructor with 19 years of service who is known for integrating real-world human resources experience into the classroom.
The Graduate Teaching Award was presented to Dr. Gail DeGenero, chair of Franklin’s undergraduate Information Systems program and a faculty member with nearly three decades of service to the university.
One of the most inspiring moments of the ceremony came from student commencement speaker Jamie Lorraine Welch, who earned a Master of Science in Business Psychology with a perfect 4.0 GPA while balancing family and professional responsibilities.
Welch shared a powerful message about courage, resilience, and personal growth. She recounted the story of a young man named Austin, who suffered a life-changing accident that left him paralyzed and was told he would never walk again. Despite those challenges, Austin completed his studies and walked across the stage at his own graduation.
“Courage isn’t always bold. It’s not always loud,” Welch said. “Growth often happens in the small moments, the quiet moments, the moments where we choose to move forward even when uncertainty and self-doubt are sitting right there with us.”
Throughout her speech, Welch encouraged fellow graduates to remember the phrase, “I can do hard things,” emphasizing that success is often built through persistence during life’s most challenging moments.
The ceremony also recognized graduates earning degrees at every academic level, including doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees. Degrees awarded included Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Healthcare Administration, Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and several associate degree programs.
Following the official conferral of degrees, graduates celebrated the traditional turning of the tassel, symbolizing the completion of their academic journey and the beginning of new opportunities ahead.
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