Commencement 2025 Photo Story

May 9th, 2025 by Kyla Covert

Last updated: May 9, 2025

Commencement 2025 was a celebration to remember! Johnson & Wales University Online students walked across stage to receive their diplomas along with in-person graduates at our commencement ceremonies in both Charlotte, NC and Providence, RI this past week.

Commencement is more than just a ceremony; it’s a milestone that marks years of hard work, determination and dedication. JWU Online students celebrated all they’ve accomplished with family, classmates, and professors cheering them on.

Take a look at our photo story below to relive some highlights of the ceremonies – and be sure to check out the recap video!

Five women an a man of color wearing their caps and gowns wave as the walk in the procession at the Johnson & Wales 2025 Commencement in Charlotte, NC.

Five women of color wearing their caps and gowns applaud a speaker at the Johnson & Wales 2025 Commencement in Charlotte, NC.

Portrait of Albert Torres in cap and gown, holding the diploma he received at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

President of the JWU Charlotte campus, a mature man in his robes, shakes the hand of a graduate who has just accepted her diploma at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement in Charlotte.

Woman of color in a cap and gown walks past rows of graduating students at the Johnson & Wales 2025 Commencement in Charlotte.

Smiling woman of Asian descent in a cap and gown, holding the diploma she received in the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Smiling male graduate in a cap and gown jumps for joy with arms raised over his head in front of the Wildcat statue on the Harborside campus in Providence during the 2025 Senior Toast.

Graduating students of mixed gender and background, in their caps and gowns, with one male smiling at the camera at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement in Providence.

Smiling woman, Taralyn Stephens, wearing a cap, blue bowtie and pink jacket with a blue windowpane design. holding the diploma she received at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Male speaker in a cap and gown at the podium during the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement in Providence.

Group shot of seven graduate students of mixed gender at the War Memorial across from the Amica Mutual Pavilion following the morning 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement in Providence.

Smiling female in cap and gown, holding the diploma she received at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Shot of male student holding his diploma above his head and smiling with floral arrangements in the foreground at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement in Providence.

Young woman of Asian descent in cap and gown giving a speech at the podium at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement in Providence for undergraduate students.

Portrait of smiling male Doctor of Business degree graduate following the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Johnson & Wales President, Marie Bernardo-Sousa, at the podium during the 2025 Commencement in Providence.

Adult male in robes holding an honorary degree, flanked by Johnson & Wales Provost on the left and Chancellor on the right at the 2025 Undergraduate Commencement in Providence.

Smiling male, Chef Daniel Thomas, holding the diploma he received in the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence,

A decorated graduation cap with flowers, a bow and the words, "you never walk alone," at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement Ceremony in Providence.

Shot overlooking seated guests and rows of graduates to the screen televising the graduation ceremony at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Undergraduate Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Smiling male, Ben Huntzinger, in cap and gown, holding the diploma he received in the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony.

Shot of the seated graduating students at the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement undergraduate ceremony in Providence.

Crowd outside the Amica Mutual Pavilion featuring a graduation cap adorned with flowers and the words, "I did it for them," following the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Smiling female, Chloe LaSalle, holding the diploma she received in the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Group shot of fourteen men and women in caps and gowns who have earned the Doctor of Business Administration degree just before they walk in the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Providence.

Smiling male, Jonathan Garrigues, outdoors in his cap and gown, surrounded by his two daughters and wife, who is holding their baby, on the day of the 2025 Johnson & Wales Commencement ceremony in Charlotte.

Watch the video below to hear how some of our online graduates at the Providence ceremonies describe their feelings on the day. Their responses say it all!

Congratulations again to the Class of 2025!

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