Class of 2025 Blessing | Champagne Toast | Senior Toast Program

Class of 2025 Blessing

Offered by: Elise Dubravec, Campus Minister for Community Life & Solidarity

"Welcome families, friends, and congratulations to the class of 2025! As we kick off the festivities and celebration, I want to offer a short prayer. This blessing is one that I love to invoke during times of my life where I'm going forth, moving on to explore the unknown and discover what is next for me. And the blessing is inspired by a phrase in cartography. When cartographers drew their maps, they marked unknown regions with the phrase 'here be dragons' to designate that past this point, it is unknown territory, a mystery. 

There are many times in our lives where we face the unknown, where we finish one chapter and have to turn the page. And that is where we find our graduates today. So may this blessing give you the courage, comfort, and love to take the next step as you explore this life and world. 

O Great Spirit,

who knows the routes of all,

Walk the unknown path with us this day.

Past the map's edge where all the landmarks cease, here be dragons:

Give us courage to meet them.

Embolden our vision that we might deeply see.

Embolden our steps where we fear to tread.

Strengthen our resolve when overwhelm threatens.

Equip our souls when we face them head on,

That our love may know, because it has dared.

Fill us with compassion to befriend all that frightens.

Inspirit our faith that through brace adventure, 

We may trust you more as we set out beyond the signs.

Stoke the fire in our bellies that we might live our lives passionately

And see things more off road as we continue our journey this day.

Amen."

Champagne Toast

Offered by: Andrew Ishak, Teaching Professor of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences

"When I was first asked to deliver the senior toast to the class of 2025, I was honored.

But I had one request, and it was that the toast take place in a location that represents everything we love about Santa Clara University: undeniable beauty, deep history, the place where we experienced some of our greatest successes and our biggest growing moments.

But, we asked, and the Bronco was booked, so…

Instead, here we are in Mission Gardens, on campus, which was my second choice. And honestly, it’s a great place for us to reflect on this momentous occasion. Because many of you have had great memories on this campus, and you might even be a little sad to be leaving.

But I have good news for you.

Let’s think back to the first day you set foot on campus.

On your first day at Santa Clara university, who were you? You were the product of everything that came before college. Your childhood friendships, your conversations, the classes you took, your successes, your failures…all the small moments that shaped who you were growing up.

So today, as you sit here at the end of your time at Santa Clara, you are—still—a product of everything that came before, but now, that includes all of your experiences at SCU. More friendships, more conversations, more classes, more successes, more failures, more small moments over your last few years. All those experiences at SCU play a part in the person you are right now.

And here’s what’s really important: wherever you go next, and whatever you do, there’s a little bit of Santa Clara in it.

In the way you approach your work. In the friendships you form. In the values you hold. In the choices you make when no one’s watching.

This place will stay with you. In ways you might not notice right away, but that will shape the life you’re building.

And as your time at this institution comes to an end, remember: Just because you are leaving Santa Clara, does not mean that Santa Clara is leaving you.

So, here’s to the friendships, the conversations, the learning experiences, and the small moments that shape who you are and who you will become.

And here’s to the class of 2025. Congratulations!"

Senior Toast Program

DATE:           June 6, 2025

TIME:           4:00 – 5:30 pm (Program 30 min)

LOCATION:     Mission Gardens

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