May 13, 2025
Linda Blaser
Congratulations to the Class of 2025
The Lake Forest College Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony took place under sunny skies on Wasylik Field on South Campus on the morning of Saturday, May 10.
In his opening address, Interim President Robert Krebs welcomed the graduates and guests, acknowledged the College’s 168-year history, and led the crowd in a celebratory “Go Foresters!” cheer.
Following the invocation by The Reverend Kristie Webb Finley of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Krebs introduced the College’s honorary degree recipient and Commencement Speaker Justin Lansing ’07, Grammy Award–winning musician, dedicated storyteller, and proud member of the Lake Forest College Class of 2007. He received a Doctor of Music.
During his Commencement address, Lansing encouraged the Class of 2025 to recognize “little possibilities” in life that he calls “acorns.”
“The universe is abundant with acorns. If you’re lucky, a few acorns in a lifetime might turn into a giant oak tree,” he said. “We reseed the universe with each new idea or thought that we share and nurture.”
As a successful musical artist, Lansing said he believes “there is art in every calling, every career, and everyone.”
In closing, he said: “Wherever the world takes you, I encourage you to find art on that path and forage for your acorns. Do your best to choose the right ones, knowing that in the end nature will still decide your direction. And remember that like every acorn you are a little universe wrapped in a pod of possibility.”
Following his talk, Lansing performed on acoustic guitar, singing a new original song, Little Old You, that he feels “conveys these ideas best.”
Senior class speaker Ezar Shinbaro ’25 addressed the Class of 2025 to rounds of applause.
“I flew to the other side of the ocean to attend Lake Forest College,” Shinbaro said. Arriving on campus, “everything felt bigger than me.”
Ultimately, “we found a community and a second home,” she said. “Now we get to write our own stories. This is not an ending, but a beginning.”
Krebs Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Tara Natarajan presented the candidates for graduate and undergraduate degrees, which Board of Trustee Vice-Chairman Marisue Lacher P’22 awarded. Following an acknowledgment of the graduates by Interim Vice President for Campus Life Edward G. Whipple, Trinity Look ’25 sang the alma mater. A closing benediction concluded the ceremony.
View and download a selection of photos from Commencement 2025!
