The countdown to the cap and gown excitement has begun! Learn more about the Class of 2025 and Dean's 159th Commencement below.
Ceremony Information| Fun Facts About the Class of 2025 | Get to Know the Student Speaker| Student Singers | More Commencement Celebrations
Ceremony information
WHEN:
Saturday, May 10, 2025
A detailed timeline can be found here.
WHERE:
The front lawn of Dean Hall, along Awpie Way, on the Dean College campus, 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA. A livestream will also be available here.
Who:
- Mark D. Boyce, interim president of Dean College
- Jay R. Linedecker, chairman of the Board of Trustees
- Amanda Shields, student keynote speaker
- Student Singers
Fun facts about the class of 2025
- Total number of graduates: 246
- Number of Graduates earning double majors: 8
- Number of countries represented: 3 (U.S., Japan, Australia)
- Number of U.S. states represented: 22
- Percentage of graduates from out-of-state: 49%
- Percentage of graduates who lived on campus their senior year: 86%
- Percentage of graduates who participated in an Athletic Program while at Dean: 35%
- Percentage of graduates who are first-generation college students: 36%
- Percentage of graduates who received financial aid while at Dean: 96%
- Top Majors for the Class of 2025
- Business Management
- Dance
- Criminal Justice
- Sport Management
- Communication
- Exercise Science
- Number of graduates who have earned honors designations: 91
- Number of siblings graduating together: 1 set of twins
- Number of active-duty military or veterans: 2
- Number of legacy graduates: 1 (their grandfather was in the Class of 1963)
get to know amanda shields
Amanda Shields has been chosen to be the Commencement student speaker for the Class of 2025. Find out a little more about Amanda and her time at Dean.
Major: Communications
Minor: Dance
Associates: Early Childhood Education
Hometown: Oxford, Massachusetts
Student Organizations:
- Step Team – Member for four years and served as president her senior year.
- Musical Theatre Troupe – Featured dance ensemble cast member.
- New Student Orientation (NSO) Team – Served as an NSO leader for two years and a team leader for one year.
- Power 88 Radio Station – Was an on-air DJ for two semesters.
Performances:
- Collaboration Showcase
- Arts Connect Showcase
- Rise Showcase
- Homecoming
- Dean College Stage at Patriot Place
- MTT Spring Cabaret
- Stage reading for the Werk Your Craft club
Athletics:
- Men’s Baseball Manager – She helps run the team's social media.
Academic Honors & Scholarships:
- Honors Program since 2021
- Inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) in 2022
- Oliver Dean Honors Scholarship
- Dean Difference Award Scholarship
- Paula M. Rooney Endowed Scholarship
- Dean’s List x4
- President’s list x3
Fun Facts:
- Amanda is a TikTok content creator with a following of 77,000
- Amanda is a brand ambassador for Nerdy Nuts (a peanut butter company)
- Amanda is a brand ambassador for Pink Lily (an online boutique for women)
Future Plans:
- Amanda would like to land a job as a social media manager after graduation.
- She plans to continue her passion for dance as a choreographer at dance studios.
- Her dream is to continue dance training in New York City and eventually become a Radio City Rockette.
- She will also continue to pursue a successful career as a content creator on TikTok.
In Her Own Words:
“One of the experiences at Dean I am most grateful for is being a part of Dean College’s Step Team all four years. I tried out for the team not knowing much about Step dancing, and here I am in my senior year serving as the team president. Being president of the team is one of my greatest achievements here at Dean, and I have had so much fun performing with the team and choreographing for them.
I am also beyond grateful for the people I have met at Dean. I have found my best friends, who have truly helped me become who I am today. We encourage each other to make the most of our experiences here and to be the best versions of ourselves. Dean has truly helped me find my second family. I would be lost without them!”
student singers
The following graduating students have been chosen to perform at Commencement this year.
A Beginning Not an End & The Alma Mater
- Dylan Beaty
- Ayman Boudrari
- Trisha Dobson
- Cassius Cornelius Kane
- Ella Mooradian
- Duncan O’Rourke
- Zoe Squeglia
- Avery Mary Alice Sullivan
The Star-Spangled Banner
- Trisha Dobson
- Ella Mooradian
- Avery Mary Alice Sullivan
More commencement celebrations
- Senior Celebration Days will be held May 7 to 9. For more information, click here.
- The Graduating Student Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This is an invite-only event. A livestream will be available.