The Honorable Kip Tom, former U.S. Ambassador to the United States Mission to the United Nations Agencies in Rome, Italy, and current Chairman of Tom Farms, delivered the 2025 commencement address at Franklin College on Saturday, May 24. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

The College conferred 195 undergraduate degrees and 25 graduate degrees.

The ceremony was held in Spurlock Center Gymnasium and was live streamed on the College’s website.

Franklin College President Kerry N. Prather offered remarks to the Class of 2025. “As you prepare to join our alumni family, I encourage you to reflect on what each of you brought to the Franklin College experience: your goals, your gifts, your dreams, and your accomplishments. Some achievements may live quietly in your memory. Others may have been celebrated out loud, in group texts or social media posts. However they showed up in the world, each success matters.”

He continued, “Over the past four years, from the excitement of Welcome Week to the celebration of Senior Week, we have had the privilege of watching your journey unfold. We have seen your talents showcased at academic honors convocations, Scholars Days, art exhibits, concerts, athletic competitions and countless campus events. You have demonstrated talent, determination and grit in a myriad of ways. And you have shown your ability to think critically, communicate effectively and lead ethically. In the world of today, these are essential skills.”

Tom’s keynote address was titled “Keep Learning – The World Needs Your Ideas and Your Vision.” He told the graduating class, “Graduates, you’re stepping into a world that’s full of obstacles—climate shocks, economic uncertainty, political division—but always keep in mind that the world is also filled with opportunities. You have something I didn’t have at your age— a degree from Franklin College. That’s a powerful tool. But please let it not be the end of your education—let it be the foundation. What you build on from here is up to you. I hope you stay curious. Adapt when the winds change. Take risks, knowing that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it is part of it.”

Celeste Ariana Edwards, Class of 2025, the Senior Class Speaker, was chosen for the distinction by her peers. A native of Indianapolis and graduate of Warren Central High School, Edwards was a chemistry major. Throughout her college journey, she participated in many campus organizations: Student Foundation, Student Government Association, Black Student Union and Sister to Sister. She also served as a Launch Mentor, an Arthur Wilson Black Experience House Community Representative, library supervisor, and the women’s basketball team manager.

The top five majors in the graduating class were business, exercise science, biology, psychology and sports communications.

Preceding commencement, on Friday, May 23, Rev. Dr. Adrian M. Brooks Sr., gave the baccalaureate address and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the College. Rev. Brooks is the pastor at the Memorial Baptist Church of Evansville, Indiana.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.