Philadelphia, PA – The mood was festive and the crowd cheered the graduates, but what made this commencement ceremony unique was that the flowers, balloons and celebrations were for the parents, aunts and uncles of the people in the audience.
Peirce College, Philadelphia’s only college or university dedicated exclusively to serving adults, held its 2025 Commencement on Friday, June 6 at the Miller Theater on Broad Street. A total of 339 graduates were honored at the ceremony, which featured a moving student address from Faith Messado ’15, ’25, who told her fellow graduates that she used to feel “glued to ground” with uncertainty before she found Peirce.
“Peirce changed my life! I am grateful to Peirce’s admissions committee for being available to me on my very first visit. And had my advisor, Renee Doremus, not encouraged me, I would have surely given up,” said Messado, who is advancing her education at the graduate level. “Lastly, I am thankful for the professors, who understand how adult minds work. Today, I am standing tall because I have a higher calling in life.”
Approximately 96% of Peirce’s Class of 2025 are over the age of 25, 71% are women and 73% are from Pennsylvania. The College’s oldest 2025 graduate is 70 years old.
Peirce was honored to have Philadelphia radio legend Patty Jackson give the keynote address. Jackson, one of the most influential broadcasters in the Philadelphia region, received the Spirit of Philadelphia award, and told graduates to be kind and continue inspiring others.
“Some of life’s greatest lessons begin after the cap is thrown,” she said. “Everyone is on a different journey, but when you are kind, you give a blessing to someone else. The world needs your unique light. We need to shine brightly, and never let anyone dim your bright light. Embrace each day with the right attitude and it will be a better day.”
Dr. Mary Ellen Caro, president & CEO of Perice, thanked graduates for selecting Peirce as their educational partner and for their dedication and hard work.
“For some of you, today marks the completion of a dream thought to be unreachable. For others, it is the completion of a commitment to yourself and loved ones. All of you have persevered and made sacrifices to achieve your academic goals,” she said. “You are inspirational, your stories are touching and your enthusiasm is contagious. You are our reason to be. Thank you for bringing your thirst for knowledge to us, sharing your life experiences, and making us better.”
Dr. Caro plans to step down as president & CEO at the end of June 2025 as Peirce merges with Lackawanna College. She was recognized as President Emeritus by the Peirce Board of Trustees. Peirce is scheduled to have a commencement ceremony in 2026 as it maintains its status as a degree-granting institution for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The Class of 2025 also shared a milestone with Peirce, as this year marked the college’s 160th anniversary. Special presentations at the ceremony included awarding an honorary doctorate to Toni Pergolin, chair of the Peirce Board of Trustees, for her vision and leadership; and the presentation of Peirce Legacy Awards for Peirce Trustee Thomas McLaughlin ’84, and Peirce Alumni Association President Rashean Ramsue ’22, ’23, for their service to the institution.
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