DECATUR, Ill. — Millikin University honored more than 65 graduates during the 2025 Winter Commencement ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Kirkland Fine Arts Center, celebrating the academic achievements and future aspirations of the Class of 2025.
Millikin President Dr. Dean Pribbenow welcomed graduates and guests, encouraging the Class of 2025 to carry forward the lessons of their Millikin experience with purpose and intention. He urged graduates to continue shaping meaningful lives rooted in curiosity, service, and courage as they begin the next chapter of their journeys.
Student speaker Quartus Rassi ’25 challenged his classmates to think intentionally about their futures during his address, “What Is Your Dream?” Drawing from his own Millikin journey, Rassi encouraged graduates to reflect on how far they have come and how boldly they are willing to move forward.
Rassi, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Millikin’s Tabor School of Business, spoke candidly about the moments of uncertainty and growth that shaped his time at Millikin.
“Dreams don’t always arrive fully formed,” he told the Class of 2025. “Sometimes they grow when you’re willing to say yes, step out of your comfort zone, and trust the process.”
A standout student-athlete and distance runner for Big Blue athletics, Rassi credited Millikin with teaching him the value of commitment — to goals, to people, and to purpose.
“At Millikin, I learned that commitment multiplies opportunity,” he said. “The more you invest yourself – in your classes, your teams, your relationships – the more doors begin to open.”
As he looked ahead, Rassi encouraged his fellow graduates not to wait for perfect clarity before taking action.
“You don’t need to have every answer today,” he said. “What matters is that you keep moving forward, guided by curiosity, courage, and the belief that your dream is worth pursuing.”
After graduation, Rassi will begin a seasonal tax position with Sikich in Decatur while continuing to explore long-term professional opportunities.
Angel Lawrence, Executive Director of the Northeast Community Fund (NECF), delivered a powerful keynote address centered on purpose, service, and the responsibility graduates carry into their communities. A Decatur native and Millikin community partner, Lawrence challenged the Class of 2025 to redefine success beyond job titles and accolades.
“Do not chase titles,” Lawrence said. “Chase impact.”
Drawing on more than two decades of experience in social work and nonprofit leadership, Lawrence shared lessons learned from serving families and individuals during moments of crisis and change. She reminded graduates that leadership often begins long before recognition follows. “The work that matters most is often quiet, unseen, and uncomfortable,” she said. “But it is also the work that changes lives.”
Lawrence emphasized the importance of using education as a tool for advocacy and compassion, encouraging graduates to remain connected to their values as they enter the workforce.
“Your degree gives you knowledge,” she said. “Your character determines how you use it.”
She also encouraged graduates to embrace resilience and community, noting that meaningful progress is rarely made alone.
“You will face setbacks,” Lawrence said. “When you do, lean on others, lift someone up with you, and remember why you started.”
Lawrence joined NECF in 2020 and now leads one of Central Illinois’ largest food distribution efforts, serving more than 12,000 families annually. She closed her remarks by urging graduates to remain grounded in service.
“Wherever life takes you,” she said, “be someone who leaves people and places better than you found them.”
Additional remarks included congratulations from Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Kathy Gardner Thomforde, a welcome to the Millikin Alumni Association by Mandi Landacre Podeschi ’02, and the traditional tassel ceremony led by Remi Mendenhall ’25. The program concluded with the Alma Mater, performed by the Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Benjamin Hawkinson
Congratulations to all the 2025 Winter Commencement graduates!
