Elmira College Celebrates 167th Commencement

Despite strong winds and dark clouds, the Tenacious Class of 2025 enjoyed a cool, dry Commencement Ceremony on Carnegie Lawn on Sunday, May 18. As the ceremony began, family and friends watched the more than 160 graduate and undergraduate students process to their seats. With everyone in place, the Reverend Father Peter Singano ’28 led an invocation before Dr. Charles Lindsay, Elmira College President, welcomed the crowd and commenced the proceedings.

During the ceremony, Lindsay conferred an honorary degree to EC alumnus and legendary National Hockey League coach, Barry Smith MSEd ’78. Smith has had a well-decorated professional ice hockey coaching career that includes seven Stanley Cup Championships and induction into two sports halls of fame. Before joining the professional ranks, Smith began his career in 1975 with the Elmira College Soaring Eagles.

Smith shared how his experience at EC changed his life, but not because he initially found success. Instead, it was failure that taught him to seek a growth mindset, which propelled him to coach for 40 years at the national level.

“My first year, I thought I had all of the answers,” he shared. “I was a 25-year-old coach, and I came here and I failed the players, the College community, family, and my brother, who was Captain David. It was a disastrous first season. But a losing experience transformed my mindset and attitude. I realized I was not prepared. I had a lack of knowledge, a lack of leadership, and despite playing hockey, I had very little understanding of the fundamentals of teaching the game.”

Realizing he had to change to improve, he traveled to Russia to train under a professional hockey coach. He then used his newly learned skills to help the EC Soaring Eagles succeed with appearances at the NCAA National Championships. "We forever changed the DNA of hockey at EC.”

After sharing his story, Smith invited the Class of 2025 to “compete in the game of life.” To do that, he advised them to embrace help, continue to learn, and persevere when they meet setbacks. As he wrapped up, he asked all of the graduates who felt ready to “play” to stand. All of the graduates rose from their seats, and the crowd cheered.

Following Smith’s speech, Dr. Martha Eason, Chair of the Faculty Executive Committee, announced that EC had six Valedictorians this year: Jessica “Jx” Graham '25, Kaitlyn Potter ’25, Maya Powers ’25, Tyler Scott ’25, Alexa Sitzer ’25, and Ryan Trenholm ’25.

Sitzer was chosen to provide comments during the event.

“We are headed down many different paths, but we will always be connected through our alma mater and the memories we share of this place,” she said. “We will always be Elmira College’s Tenacious Class of 2025.”

Easton then presented the 2025 graduate candidates to Lindsay for conferral, and Dr. Corey Stilts, 2025 Student Faculty Recognition Awardee, presented the 2025 undergraduate candidates.

Before Commencement, members of the graduating class were recognized with multiple honors and prizes, including the induction of 17 students into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest national honors organization. The Class of 2025 also included 77 honor graduates receiving summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude honors.

Lindsay closed the ceremony by encouraging the new alumni to seek ways to make a difference by engaging with differing opinions and cultivating new ways of thinking.

“Each of you stands at the threshold leading to the rest of your life,” he said. “This College has a history and tradition of graduating women and men who make a difference. You may be thinking of your diploma as your ticket to the good life. What I invite you to also do is to view your degree as a vehicle for making the world a better place. Each of us can make a positive difference if we make the commitment to do so.”