Carnegie Mellon University Honors Class of 2025 at 127th Commencement Ceremony

Timeless Scottish tradition met the pulse of the present when Pipes and Drums(opens in new window) commanded all eyes on Carnegie Mellon University’s 127th commencement Sunday, May 11, in Gesling Stadium. With the music’s ancient echo of steadfast resolve lingering over Richard M. Lackner Field, CMU President Farnam Jahanian(opens in new window) conferred 6,741 degrees as their families, friends and loved ones looked on, sending a new wave of talented graduates into the world to continue work that matters — solving complex challenges and driving transformative change.

Jahanian reminded the university’s newest alumni that the future is still being written, and the potential to do good is everywhere.

“There are many more stories to tell and many, many problems that we can tackle only if we work together,” Jahanian said.

This year’s student speaker, Michael Acquaah-Harrison, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree with university honors in business administration and a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship, described the magic that came in the moments at CMU when students leaned on each other to embrace new challenges, even before they felt ready.

“We grew, not just in knowledge or in skill, but in courage, character and clarity about who we are and what we value. And we did it alongside some of the brightest minds in the world, peers and professors who push boundaries and redefine the limits of possibility,” Acquaah-Harrison said.

That message resonated with this year’s honorary degree recipients Edward Feigenbaum, Deborah Kass, Sal Khan and Lip-Bu Tan. 

Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, a nonprofit dedicated to making a free, world-class education accessible to all, gave the keynote address. He prepared for his speech by reaching out to CMU students via a Zoom session, the first time in university history a keynote speaker has done so.

During his speech, Khan announced a new partnership between CMU and Schoolhouse.world(opens in new window), a platform offering free live peer-to-peer tutoring worldwide, focusing on high school-level subjects like algebra, calculus and computer science. He emphasized the partnership's impact on service, education and equity, highlighting that college students can earn course credit while volunteering as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) tutors. 

He told students, “You're graduating from Carnegie Mellon. You will have more tools and opportunities than 99.9% of the people who have ever lived on this planet. Yes, you will face many moments of frustration and rejection, but these are part of the adventure. So build yourself up, secure your foundation, reflect on and invest in what gives you meaning, keep chipping away through the ups and the downs, and recognize that you are living in an epic science fiction story, one that will change the course of history, and you have the chance to write a better ending.”

Jahanian praised Khan, saying his commitment to leveraging technology to revolutionize access and improve learning outcomes is truly unparalleled. 

“Thank you for all that you do to ignite and advance the power of knowledge in this world,” Jahanian told Khan. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Schoolhouse to expand educational pathways for students everywhere. Together, I know we will open more doors to life-changing, high-quality learning opportunities.”

As this year’s Carnegie Mellon graduates close one door and open the next, many are already making strides in their respective fields. 

Stella Trickett, who received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry(opens in new window) with a minor in biomedical engineering(opens in new window), is working to make research accessible to everyone, regardless of their background in science.

“Especially now, when the space and funding for impactful work are increasingly at risk, I believe it is more important than ever to break down the barriers that prevent people from learning about breakthroughs in other fields,” Trickett said. 

Trickett is especially grateful for the opportunities CMU gave her to conduct research as an undergraduate and to share her work at conferences and symposiums both on campus and around the country.

“These experiences have helped me grow more comfortable presenting to a wide range of audiences, from students in other majors to academic experts in my field. The skills I’ve gained at CMU have made me confident in my ability to continue communicating science clearly and effectively, to ultimately emphasize the broader impact research has on our everyday lives,” she said.

Brett Nyman is a psychology(opens in new window) graduate with a creative writing(opens in new window) minor, now pursuing a master’s degree in public policy and management at the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy(opens in new window).

“CMU shaped me into a well-rounded thinker — strong in both quantitative and qualitative analysis — which I now use to craft thoughtful policy solutions that improve lives,” Nyman said.

Lily Ma received a bachelor of science in artificial intelligence(opens in new window). Launched in 2018, the program was the first of its kind in the United States.

“I hope to use the technical skills I’ve gained at CMU to shape the future of artificial intelligence use in an ethical way and ensure the next generation of AI technologies we build are safe and centered on human well-being,” she said.

Ma has been contributing meaningfully to the community through volunteer work ever since her four-year involvement with Partners Allied in Civic Engagement(opens in new window) (PACE) at CMU sparked a passion for addressing food insecurity, a cause she plans to continue supporting post-graduation.

“PACE has given me a much deeper understanding of civic engagement as a whole and how individuals can make a difference,” she said. 

Finding medical solutions that contribute to the well-being of humankind is top priority for Caner Dikyol, who received his doctoral degree in biomedical engineering(opens in new window). 

“Patients are waiting for organ transplantation, and new drug formulations need to be discovered for curing cancer and many other diseases,” said Dikyol, who intends to become faculty and build his own lab for working on and addressing these issues. “My doctoral research at CMU prepared me for this goal, thanks to its collaborative working environment full of leading experts in the field and cutting-edge facilities.”

No matter the degree or their bold pursuits, Jahanian encouraged the graduates to continue embracing diverse perspectives and to believe in their ability to change the world. 

“Being educated is not about getting a degree and then sitting back. Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons and embrace adventure. And when the landscape shifts beneath you, make the world your classroom; your canvas; your laboratory; and your stage,” he said.

He reminded the graduates of the words the university’s founder, Andrew Carnegie, delivered in a speech to Carnegie Tech students during his last visit to campus more than a century ago. Carnegie told them not to focus on money and success but rather using their new knowledge and skill to make a contribution to the world around them.

“You each carry the spirit of this institution and its founder. Use your knowledge. Wield your voice. Stay curious. Have faith in yourself and the good you can bring to others,” Jahanian said. “Your lifelong relationship with Carnegie Mellon is just beginning — and we can't wait to see where it takes you.”