0 Graduates in black caps and gowns processing in a line across a grassy area. A purple banner reading 'Natural Sciences & Mathematics' is carried by students in the procession. The scene is set on a sunny day with buildings and trees in the background.

Class of 2025 Launches Future with Fearless Conviction

May 10, 2025

Houghton University celebrated the Class of 2025 at Saturday’s commencement ceremony.ย 

The newest Houghton alumni gathered one final time as students for a sunlit commencement ceremony on May 10 before embarking on their journey as fearless scholar-servants, equipped to transform the world for God’s glory. Already, 68% have secured their next steps, including launching their careers or continuing their education in graduate programs.*

“Today we send forth another class of Houghton graduates; scholar-servants who are well-prepared to be fearless and faithful ambassadors for Christ in the various fields and places God has called them to,” remarked President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. “For many generations, Houghton graduates have had transformative impact in the Church, in their professions, and in the communities they serve. Houghtonโ€™s Class of 2025 will be no different. I am extraordinarily proud of them.”

The Class of 2025 Snapshot


191 Graduates

37 Double Majors

78 Graduates with Honors

Degree Types

Top Majors

Plans Before Graduation

68% of respondents reported already having been hired or accepted to graduate school before graduation. Plans include employment, graduate school, military and volunteer service.

*Based on First Destination Survey for the Class of 2025

Country of Origin


In addition, three distinguished leaders in Christian higher education and ministry who embody the Houghtonโ€™s values of academic excellence and Christian service were honored. Dr. Andrew Westmoreland and Dr. Paul Mills ’61 received honorary degrees in recognition of their lifelong commitment to academic excellence and Christian higher education, while Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden, senior pastor of Houghton Wesleyan Church since 1996, was awarded the University’s highest non-academic honor, the Willard J. Houghton Medal, for his 28 years of faithful service to the campus community.

A Ten-Minute Commencement Speech

Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, president of the Christian College Consortium, delivered his “Ten-Minute Commencement Speech” to the Class of 2025 with a simple yet profound message distilled from his experience “surviving over 100” such speeches: respect everyone. Drawing on 1 John 4:7, Westmoreland urged graduates to give respect to all individuals, even those who inspire frustration or when facing personal challenges and weariness, because God made and loves them all. He emphasized that this respect must be “something lived out, not a slogan, not just rhetoric, something infinitely more authentic than that,” and called on graduates both individually and collectively to persist in this practice with the grace of God.

Dr. Andrew Westmoreland delivers commencement address at Houghton University
Group of graduates in caps and gowns celebrating outdoors, raising their arms in the air while holding diplomas. They're standing on a grassy area in front of a stone building with large windows. Students are wearing various colors underneath their black gowns and appear to be posing for a group photo.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

Make new discoveries, educate future generations, treat the suffering and reveal the blessing of God’s promise and love. As you take the next steps to live fearlessly for Christ in your chosen fields, we are confident that you will continue to be strong and courageousโ€”confident in the knowledge that God is with you and will never forsake you.

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