Manor College Celebrates 2025 Commencement

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The ceremony took place on Thursday, May 15 in Manor College’s gymnasium.

Natasha Moore held back tears while looking upon the Manor College gym filled with graduates and families.

“Your story doesn’t end here,” she said. “As a protagonist in your story, you will make mistakes, and that’s OK… but the beauty of being the protagonist is that you grow, learn and choose how your story continues. Progress, not perfection, is what keeps the plot moving forward.” 

Moore, the Commencement speaker representing Associate’s Degree graduates, weaved her own story at Manor College. She served as a Presidential Ambassador and president of Student Senate and became a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She implored her fellow graduates to advocate for their own well-being. 

“Manor graduates are prepared to serve society effectively and compassionately, so let that service begin with how you treat yourself, and whatever is left goes towards helping others,” said Moore. “Never forget how far you’ve come from the moment you first stepped onto campus. Whether uncertain or excited or maybe both to the person you are today… you earned every bit of this.” 

Manor College’s Commencement took place on May 15 from the institution’s gym. This year’s graduating class comes from near and far, whether they grew up in Northeast Philadelphia or came here from Ukraine or Jamaica. Some, like Moore, found ways to get involved in campus on the way to their degree. Others, like Yorlenny Vaca Lazo, worked full-time while earning their degrees. 

“There were days I was clocking out of work, only to jump into an online class or stay up late writing papers with heavy eyes and a tired heart,” Vaca Lazo said. 

But regardless of the journey, Vaca Lazo said what matters most for graduates is reaching the finish line. 

“Even if your journey doesn’t look like everyone else’s, even if it’s unconventional, rocky or slow, it’s still valid,” Vaca Lazo said. “I am living proof that you do not need the perfect college experience to succeed. You do not have to follow one path to make it. You just have to keep going. Keep showing up for yourself because anything, and I mean anything, is possible when you believe in your purpose and fight for it.” 

Anatoli Murha, CEO of Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, served as the 2025 Commencement Speaker. Murha additionally received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the institution. 

Murha’s speech reinforced the sentiments Moore pushed forward – be a humanitarian throughout all phases of your life. 

“The smallest acts of kindness make an incredible impact on those who need to be lifted and helped,” Murha said. “The obstacles I faced in my life were overcome through people and characters in my story. I learned that people are willing to help. People help you find where you belong.” 

He called the day a chance for graduates to celebrate themselves. 

“It’s your day, so I want you to champion yourself starting today and every day forward,” Murha said. “After you leave here, celebrate. It’s important to do so and reflect on what you do during this process. Think about the strengths and challenges… then label it as one of the first chapters in your book. You are all storytellers and authors of your own lives.” 

Trustee Awards

In addition to the conferring of degrees, Manor College conferred three Trustee Awards to members of the Manor College administration. The winners included: 

Dr. Stephanie Marks, the Program Director of Veterinary Technology of Manor College, received the 2025 Board of Trustee Faculty Award. 

Maryann Rooney, Assistant for the Business, Education and Professional Studies Division, received the 2025 Board of Trustee Staff Award. 

Leslie Maxwell, an adjunct professor for Criminal Justice, received the 2025 Seminack/Cwiek Adjunct Teaching Award.

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