Graduation 2025
JPCatholic’s 17th Annual Commencement
Updated: 9/3/25
John Paul the Great Catholic University held its 17th annual commencement on Saturday, August 30th at The Grand Ritz Theater in Escondido. The commencement exercises celebrated 78 undergraduate students from the Class of 2025, plus 11 more who graduated last December. Congratulations to all of our new alumni!
Mass Celebrants
Rev. Bishop Michael Pham
Fr. Scott Herrera
Fr. Dominic Smith, OSA
Master of Ceremonies
Eleazar Palma, Chair of Communications Media
Speakers
- Welcome: Dr. Derry Connolly, President
- National Anthem: Grace Taylor
- Pledge of Allegiance: Angela (Whalen) Crowell
- Senior Address: Connor Hankel
- Announcement of Graduates: Eleazar Palma, Chair of Communications Media
- Charge to the Graduates: Prof. George Simon, Professor of Film
- Benediction: Fr. Andrew Younan, PhD, Professor of Philosophy
2024 Institutional Awards:
The Founder's Award for Impacting Culture
Kateri Esposito
Cinematic Artist Award
Carlos Erquiaga
Fine Arts Award
Sophia Klein
Visual Arts Award
Clareanne Ysmael
Performing Arts Award
Connor Hankel
Humanities Award & Valedictorian
Angela (Whalen) Crowell
Business Acumen Award
Pedro Vargas
Graduating Class of 2025
Freshman Photo 2022
Senior Showcase Events
During Graduation Week, JPCatholic hosted several events to celebrate student accomplishments.
- On Wednesday night, the Acting Practicum Showcase screened capstone short films, scenes, along with a celebration of the live stage practicums that have already performed.
- On Thursday morning, a Visual Arts Showcase at the Ritz’s Juniper Room exhibited a variety of digital and traditional artwork from the graduating class, along with a demo of 50 Minutes Til Impact, a mystery adventure game set on a retro-futuristic space train, which the Game Development seniors will publish soon on Steam.
- On Thursday afternoon, the Theology Practicum Reading featured several Theology & Philosophy students presenting their thesis papers.
- This was immediately followed by the Business Pitch Competition, where entrepreneurial students presented their business to a panel of professionals to seek funding for their next steps. At first place Ira Mulingbayan received $1000 in funding for his clothing line HAS/BEEN, and Mariah Sandoval received $300 to help grow her skincare business.
- On both Thursday and Friday, JPCatholic Theatre Productions presented Allan Knee’s musical Little Women at the Ritz Theater, directed by Prof. Katelyn Slater. Over 30 students were involved in the production, including many graduating seniors.
- On Friday evening at the Ritz, JPCatholic presented the Senior Project Screening, a premiere of capstone projects from Film and Animation seniors. The event was emceed by Prof. Nathan Scoggins, and audiences enjoyed a showcase of five narrative live-action shorts, the 2d animated short The Heartbeat of the Sea, and a trailer for the video game 50 Minutes Til Impact.