Germanna Community College Celebrates Spring 2025 Graduates at Commencement Ceremony

For Immediate Release
May 14, 2025

Fredericksburg, VA—Germanna Community College honored the Class of 2025 during its Spring Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, at the University of Mary Washington’s Anderson Center, awarding 1,689 degrees, certificates, and credentials to 1,501 graduates.

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The ceremony was a celebration of achievement, resilience, and growth—and a powerful reminder of the transformative role community colleges play in students’ lives.

Among the evening’s highlights was a speech from student speaker Havilah Akinyemi, a 2023 high school graduate who found confidence, community, and purpose during her time at Germanna. Havilah, who served as Vice President of the Student Government Association and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, reflected on her unexpected journey from shy “PCP student”—“parking lot, class, parking lot”—to campus leader and mentor.

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Havilah noted how she originally planned to keep a low profile on campus but soon found herself becoming the face of Germanna—literally—through her work-study position with Marketing and Recruitment and her position in SGA. Her role led to new friendships, leadership opportunities, and a sense of belonging she never expected.

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“The more I found my voice at Germanna, the more I wanted to help other students like me find theirs,” she said. “Say yes to the things you are scared to say yes to. Don’t hide in your comfort zone. You may discover something about yourself that you didn’t know was there before.”

As her speech concluded, Havilah reminded her classmates to walk boldly into the next chapter of their lives.

“The outside world may be scary, but it is ours to do whatever we want with it. Speak loudly and confidently, because your voice will be heard.”

The ceremony marked a major milestone for hundreds of students and their families—many of whom are the first in their families to attend or graduate from college.

President Janet Gullickson commended the graduates for their perseverance and dedication, noting that many overcame significant challenges to reach this milestone.

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For more information about Germanna Community College or to learn about enrollment opportunities, visit www.germanna.edu.

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For media inquiries:
William Berry
Director of Marketing and Recruitment
(540) 834-1019
wberry@germanna.edu

About Germanna Community College
Established in 1970 as part of the Virginia Community College System, we are a comprehensive community college providing quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities for the residents of the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, Culpeper, King George, Madison, Orange, Spotsylvania and Stafford and for online learners everywhere.