IC News

Williams was selected as the 2025 student speaker through what campus leaders called the most competitive application pool to date. “The selection committee really connected with Jasmine’s message of self-pride, and her warmth and enthusiasm left a lasting impression,” said Doreen Hettich-Atkins, committee co-chair and executive director of student affairs and campus life. “A number of students on the committee told us they were moved to tears by her speech. I’m confident that Jasmine will leave the class of 2025—and their families and loved ones—with a message that stays with them as they move into their next chapters with heads held high and proud of their accomplishments.”

“You’ll hear in my speech that my main focus is people understanding their intrinsic value,” said Williams, previewing the big address. “That they are important as they are, and they don’t need anything external to validate them. That’s what I want to leave people with.”

The ceremony delivered a surprise worthy of primetime. As Board of Trustees Chair John Neeson ’84 prepared to announce the honorary degree for Bob Iger ’73, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, the screens inside Glazer Arena suddenly flashed: “Breaking News.”

Neeson leaned into the moment: “I've just been told we might have some breaking news,” he said—just before David Muir ’95, graduate of the Roy H. Park School of Communications and anchor of ABC World News Tonight , stepped onto the stage to wild applause. His appearance and message were a tightly held secret, surprising not just graduates and their families and loved ones, but Iger himself.

Iger, who also received a degree from the communications school, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for his visionary leadership in global media and entertainment, his commitment to innovation and storytelling, and his enduring support for his alma mater.

“You all grew up with Disney as part of the culture—and your parents did, and your grandparents did,” Muir told the crowd, noting that Iger’s tenure as CEO—now twice—“has been defined by fearless choices. Being brave, always looking to the future … and doing this all while protecting what's true to Disney, the storytelling that has defined Disney from the very beginning. And he's also done this by remaining true to himself.”

Muir called Iger a friend and mentor, adding, “As the leader of Disney, he's pushed us all. He's put people into leadership positions, into the anchor chair at 6:30 on World News Tonight . He puts us in the roles because he sees something, tests us, shapes us and makes us better even in ways we can't imagine until we're put in that chair.”

When Iger took the podium, he thanked Muir and gently corrected him:
“There's one thing you said, and that is that you were in the anchor chair because of me. You're in the anchor chair because of you.”

He continued, “And I do stand here today filled with enormous gratitude. First for this lovely honor, for the fun and excitement and fulfilling nature of my career, and for the opportunity to attend Ithaca College which served as the springboard to my journey.”

Iger shared that his original dream after college was to become a network news anchor:
“My dream graduating college was to be a network news anchor person. David Muir fulfilled that dream. I did not. But I developed another dream. I wanted to become a television production executive. I can check that box. I did that. It's a lesson: have dreams, and if they don't come true, create new ones.”

In his own remarks, Neeson reflected on the power of the IC experience through a story from his early career. During a job interview, he was asked why he should be hired over three other recent college graduates. His answer:

“At Ithaca College I was able to explore and understand who I am and discover my true interests. I took classes in Communications, Business, Humanities and Science, and I even took an acting class … I learned I love to write, and I was an editor for the Ithacan, an athlete rowing on the crew team and a class officer. At IC, I was provided an experience that I can’t imagine getting anywhere else.”

He also announced the launch of a new tradition—one created by the graduates themselves. The Class of 2025 Endowed Scholarship Fund, made possible through gifts from members of the class. “Your class scholarship fund will be given to future IC students with financial need and will help them achieve their dreams,” Neeson said.

Sarah Richards ’89, president of the Ithaca College Alumni Association Board of Directors, also addressed the graduating class, offering both humor and perspective. She told the audience that she graduated the same year that Nintendo released the Gameboy, The Simpsons premiered on FOX, and Taylor Swift was born. “All three of these are still relevant today, but you probably play on Nintendo’s Switch, watch The Simpsons on your laptop, and tried to see Taylor on her Eras tour last summer.”

Richards welcomed the Class of 2025 to “this fun and supportive club,” of alumni, noting, “You have the strength of over 70,000 IC grads who came before you and are waiting to help you succeed.” She also shared a personal connection to the day, mentioning that the class of 2025 includes Molly, the daughter of a dear friend, adding a new layer of meaning to a ceremony rooted in tradition, community, and the power of lasting relationships.

The keynote address was delivered by Monica Digilio ’85, M.S. ’86, CEO of Compass Advisors LLC and former global HR executive. Reflecting on her journey from IC to the C-suite, Digilio shared stories of fear, encouragement, family, and the lessons that shaped her career.

She opened with a memory from her own Ithaca College Commencement, recalling how her friends said, “Hey—we think we see your dad.” Skeptical that anyone could spot a familiar face in such a large crowd, she looked up—and there he was. Her father, Duke Digilio, was jumping excitedly in the bleachers. Digilio then turned to the families and loved ones in the assembled arena and encouraged them to do the same as her father did years ago: stand up, cheer loudly, and celebrate their graduates. They happily obliged.

Digilio recalled feeling unsure about leaving home for Ithaca College—worried that her mother might need her and uncertain about the financial challenges of going away to school. But her mother was clear: “My mom sat me down and said, ‘You are going to college. You are going to pursue your big dreams and have a big life.’”

Digilio organized her message around several guiding principles:

• “Surround yourself with good people.”
• “Be open.”
• “Build and nurture your network... I don’t mean collecting a thousand LinkedIn connections. I mean finding a few good people who really get you—and sticking with them.”
   

“Finally,” she said, “if you want to be surrounded by good people, be a good person.” She concluded with wisdom from her father, Duke Digilio: ‘Remember when you’re in an HR meeting that you’re talking to a person. However you treat someone could make it the best or worst day of their lives.’”

“What my dad was telling me was, ‘Don’t lose your humanity.’”