Alumni and students to speak at commencement

As the academic year comes to a close, CSB+SJU are preparing for the commencement ceremonies that will take place on May 17.

The CSB commencement ceremony will start at 11 a.m. in Clemen’s Field House, and the SJU commencement ceremony will start at 3 p.m. in St. John’s Abbey and University Church.

Each commencement ceremony will have one student speaker and one guest/alumni speaker that will give the commencement address. Lydia Mattern, a graduating theology major from Fargo, N.D., has been selected by her peers to provide the CSB student commencement address.

Mattern said she is extremely grateful for this significant nomination.

“I am so honored to be selected by my peers as the Student Commencement speaker. St. Ben’s and my time here has shaped me into the woman I am and motivates me to be my best as I leave this space. It has been a gift to be surrounded by people during my time here that have empowered me, supported me and challenged me, in more ways than one,” Mattern said via email.

Following Mattern’s speech, Angela Jerabek ‘90, executive director of the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) Center, will give the commencement address.

Jerabek said it is an honor to be coming back to her alma mater.

“It’s such an honor to head back to the beautiful campus to celebrate the class of 2025. CSB provided me with the foundation for the work I am doing now, and instilled in me the importance of servant leadership,” Jerabek said via email.

At SJU, the student commencement address speaker is Canaan Cooper. Also nominated by his peers, Cooper is a first-generation student from Nassau, The Bahamas, graduating with a biochemistry major.

Cooper said being nominated as class speaker is a huge honor that he sees as the culmination of his positive experiences in the CSB+SJU community.

“I accepted the nomination to be the class speaker because it’s a dream realized. I see it as an opportunity to represent not only myself, but my entire class,” Cooper said via email.

“Beingnominated by my peers and chosen to speak on behalf of this incredible graduating class is one of the highest honors of my college journey. As a first-generation student from The Bahamas, this nomination holds immense personal significance and stands as a testament to the unwavering support and growth I’ve experienced throughout my time here.”

Following Cooper’s student commencement address, Rev. Bill Lies ‘84,provincial superior of the U.S. Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross, will give the commencement address.

Lies said he believes this commencement speech is different from any other speeches he has given because of the personal significance it holds for him.

“I give a lot of talks but, frankly, I can’t think of one that means more to me than this one. It’s not something that one even dares to think about, being invited to speak at your alma mater’s commencement. It’s just cool, but crazy intimidating at the same time,” Lies said via email.

Mattern said graduation is a time where many students reflect on their time at college, and she sees these commencement speeches as a gift that allows speakers to share some of these memories.

“It has been a gift to be surrounded by people during my time here that have empowered me, supported me and challenged me, in more ways than one. This is a special way to reflect on the moments, memories and people that have shaped four years,” Mattern said via email.