Students throwing graduation caps.

2025 Commencement Ceremony

Soka University of America celebrated commencement on Friday, May 23, 2025. Students and their loved ones gathered together to commemorate the occasion.

Congratulations, Class of 2025!
WATCH: Full 2025 Commencement Ceremony
Orlando Bloom speaks to the Class of 2025 during SUA's Commencement Ceremony.

Keynote Speaker: Orlando Bloom

Orlando Bloom, actor and humanitarian delivered the commencement address for the 2025 commencement ceremony.

Read 2025 Commencement Address

Keynote Speaker: Orlando Bloom

Orlando Bloom, actor and humanitarian delivered the commencement address for the 2025 commencement ceremony.

Read 2025 Commencement Address
Announcement of Keynote Speaker

President’s Message to Class of 2025

President Feasel speaks to the Class of 2025 during commencement.

Throughout your time here, your class has met profound changes with hope and resilience – from beginning your academic journey amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to mourning the loss of our university founder, Daisaku Ikeda. You have engaged in crucial conversations about peace and justice in response to the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and other distressing global events, continually striving to live up to our university’s mission through your commitment to dialogue and human rights. Each of you have made great strides in developing as global citizens based on enhancing your inherent qualities of courage, compassion, and wisdom, just as Mr. Ikeda encouraged us to do.

 

Ceremony Photos

Click on an image to enlarge.

Soka graduates pose together in their cap and gowns on Commencement Day 2025
Aerial view inside the Performing Arts Center during Commencement Day 2025
The Class of 2025 pose together for a commemorative photo during Commencement Day 2025
SUA President Ed Feasel speaks to the graduates and their families during commencement.
Stephen Dunham, Orlando Bloom, Ed Feasel, and other faculty members wear their cap and gowns and listen during commencement.
Orlando Bloom stands at the lectern and delivers his keynote during commencement.
Aerial view inside the Performing Arts Center during Commencement Day 2025
A graduating student looks intently at his speech as he delivers it to the crowd at commencement.
Jordan Bravo '25 gestures to the crowd during his speech at SUA's 2025 commencement ceremony.
Julia Miyagawa Braga holds the award she received from President Ed Feasel
Streamers rain down from above during the 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
The Class of 2025 throw their graduation caps in the air in celebration.
Class of 2025 Graduates walk past motivational banners on the Performing Arts Center
A fellow graduate fixes the cap of another graduate wearing a bunch of leis around her neck.
A graduate wearing a cap and gown stands by Soka balloons during 2025 commencement.
Faculty in their cap and gowns in their processional walk outside the back of Founders Hall on Commencement Day 2025.
The Class of 2025 wearing their cap and gowns take in the scenes of Commencement Day 2025
Tomoko Takahashi, Dean of the Graduate School, addresses the Class of 2025.
A graduate wearing a red and white dress under her gown waves to the crowd during commencement as Robert Hamersley announces her name.
A graduate hugs SUA President Feasel during commencement.
A graduate holds up his diploma and pumps his fist during commencement.
The Class of 2025 celebrates in the Performing Arts Center during commencement.
The Class of 2025 celebrates in the Performing Arts Center during commencement.
A graduate and their family and friends pose in front of the white "Soka" block letters during commencement day.