'Remain Confident'
"I want you to take comfort – and remain confident – in the fact that you can and will navigate the challenges ahead. How do I know this? Because you have already proven yourselves capable of rising to any occasion. The same determination that brought you to this moment will carry you forward." – President George Timmons
President George Timmons delivered the welcome remarks below at HCC's 78th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 31, 2025:
'As I look out at all of you today, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride. Today is so much more than a ceremony marking the end of your academic journey at Holyoke Community College. This is a celebration—a celebration of your dedication, your resilience, and your remarkable growth.
Members of the class of 2025, do you know that sitting among you are graduates from more than 60 different Massachusetts cities and towns… as well as graduates from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Pakistan, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Ukraine?
You range in age from 18 to 66…
Many of you balanced full-time jobs while pursuing your education. Others raised families while studying late into the night. Many of you overcame personal obstacles that once seemed insurmountable. Yet here you are. You persevered. You succeeded. And that deserves our most heartfelt recognition and applause.
During your time at HCC, you’ve been immersed in an environment that champions certain fundamental values. May you always remain true to these values that define us at Holyoke Community College: innovation, collaboration, trust, inclusion, and kindness. These aren’t just words on our mission statement—they are principles that have hopefully become woven into the fabric of who you are as graduates of this institution, and how you will move in the world beyond HCC.
I know that you’re stepping into a world that often feels uncertain – it can all seem daunting. But I want you to take comfort—and remain confident—in the fact that you can and will navigate the challenges ahead. How do I know this? Because you have already proven yourselves capable of rising to any occasion. The same determination that brought you to this moment will carry you forward.
Remember that uncertainty is not a barrier but an invitation to growth. The skills you’ve developed here—resilience, adaptability, critical thinking—these are the very tools needed to thrive in times of change. When faced with obstacles, draw strength from knowing you've overcome challenges before. Your HCC experience has equipped you not just with knowledge but with the fortitude to transform uncertainty into opportunity.
Remember: this is just the beginning of your journey. There will be twists and turns, unexpected detours, and new paths you never imagined taking. But again, you are capable. The education you've received here has prepared you not just with knowledge, but with the critical thinking skills and adaptability needed for whatever comes next.
None of us reaches a milestone like this alone. So today, I want to express my deepest gratitude to those who help make the Holyoke Community College experience special, and who help our students thrive:
- our dedicated faculty who bring knowledge and passion to the classroom every day; our committed staff who provide the support services essential to student success;
- our community of alumni who continue to represent HCC with distinction; our generous donors whose contributions make many of our programs possible;
- and of course, the family and friends who have supported each graduate through late-night study sessions, moments of doubt, and now, this remarkable achievement.
I’d like to share a brief moment that truly captures what makes our HCC community so special. During spring break this March, I was walking through our nearly empty campus when I noticed a student sitting alone in one of our student lounges. I stopped to chat, curious about why he was there during the break. He told me, “This place has always felt like a sanctuary to me. No matter what’s happening in my life, I know I can come here and feel welcome.”
This moment reminded me of something foundational and unique about an HCC education—it’s not just about the classroom, but about creating spaces where people feel they belong. As you leave HCC, I hope you will carry this sense of belonging with you and create it for others wherever your path leads.
To our graduates: as you move forward from this day, remember that your connection with HCC is lifelong. You will always be part of our community. We will celebrate your successes, support you through challenges, and welcome you back with open arms. The relationships you've built here don't end today—they simply enter a new chapter.
In closing, I want you to look around—at your fellow graduates, at the faculty who taught you, at the loved ones who supported you. This moment belongs to all of you. Carry it with you. Let it remind you of what you are capable of achieving.
Congratulations, Class of 2025. We can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next. Thank you, and congratulations!"
PHOTO: President George Timmons at Commencement 2025
