Community College of Philadelphia hosted its 59th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday in the Liacouras Center on Temple University’s campus, honoring more than 1,800 graduates.
This year’s Commencement speaker was Austin A. Davis, 35th lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Davis is the youngest lieutenant governor in the country and the first Black lieutenant governor in Commonwealth history.
“As important as it is to be Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, it’s even more important that I’m not the last,” Davis said, addressing graduates. “It’s even more important to see a new generation—folks like all of you—take up the mantel of public service. In this moment, when chaos reigns and courage is in short supply, we need that new generation of leaders now more than ever.”
Graduates also heard from interim College President Dr. Alycia Marshall, College Board of Trustees Chair Harold T. Epps., and student speaker Fatoumata Sacko.
“Together with the entire College community, I’m filled with immense pride as we celebrate the remarkable academic achievements and personal milestones of our students,” said interim President Marshall. “Throughout their journey at CCP, they’ve met challenges with resilience, turned aspirations into achievements, built lasting friendships, and worked tirelessly to get to this moment. It’s an honor to recognize their accomplishments alongside family, friends, and our College community. I look forward with great excitement to the incredible contributions our graduates will make in the City of Philadelphia and beyond.”
Among the more than 1,800 graduates from the Class of 2025 are 75 dual enrollment students from Parkway Center City Middle College and 11 students from MaST Community Charter School, who will be earning their associate degrees in addition to graduating from high school. The largest group yet of Catto Scholars, nearly 300 students, is projected to graduate this year. The Octavius Catto Scholarship, supported by the City of Philadelphia, provides financial and academic support to empower students as they complete their college education.
During her Commencement speech, Sacko said: “At Community College of Philadelphia, I found more than just classes—I found community. Professors who believed in me. Classmates who reminded me I wasn’t alone. A campus where people from different backgrounds come together with one goal: to build a better future.”
Additional information about the College’s Commencement Ceremony, including their virtual yearbook and our Class of 2025 message wall, is available here.
