In a celebration filled with emotion, pride, and promise, Dougherty Family College honored the Class of 2025 as they walked across the stage and into the next chapter of their lives. Surrounded by their “ohana” – their family of relatives, friends, faculty, and staff, these scholars marked a major milestone by earning their associate degrees and becoming part of a growing legacy of excellence at the University of St. Thomas.
“Looking back, two years seemed so far away, as if it would never arrive,” DFC commencement speaker Ruth Nayeli Garcia-Genis ’25 AA said. “But today, it finally has … and here we are, surrounded by those who love us and support us, graduating.”
Her words reflected the journey that many of her peers experienced. As a first-generation college student, Garcia-Genis spoke of overcoming fear, navigating unfamiliar territory, and still forging ahead.
“This draining feeling that fills our heads with self-doubt has a name: imposter syndrome,” she said. “But the next time those doubts return – because they will – take a moment to reflect on how far you have come … See that you are more than enough. And as proof, you are here today.”
Support, strength and achievement
Garcia-Genis is one of 17 graduating DFC students who received the DFC Excellence Scholarship to continue their bachelor’s degree studies at St. Thomas. Many of the scholars and other graduates celebrated personal achievement that reflected both their hard work and their circle of community support.
One of them is Danielle Marie Bolin ’25 AA, who will maintain her friend relationships when she continues her bachelor’s degree major in criminal justice and minor in psychology at St. Thomas. She said, “What excites me most about getting my bachelor's degree and continuing ahead is that I get to do it with the help of my community. Meaning, all of my friends, all of the advice, all the good memories. I will still have that at the four-year campus.”
This year’s commencement was more than a celebration of individual accomplishments and achievement, it was a testament to the collective spirit of DFC.
In her address to the graduates, Dougherty Family College Dean Buffy Smith, the Eugene and Mary Frey Endowed Chair, said “If we work together, as one human family, we can solve our social problems. As leaders, I hope you choose to develop policies and practices that affirm and value the human dignity of everyone.”
Smith added, “It is your responsibility as transformational leaders to use your intellect, talents, and gifts to create a more just and equitable world.”
It takes an “ohana”
That vision of shared responsibility and collective care was echoed by Garcia-Genis, who took a moment to express gratitude to the DFC ohana.
“To the incredible faculty and staff who guided us, challenged us, and never gave up on us, thank you for being our mentors, our motivators, and our family,” Garcia-Genis said in her speech.
And to her fellow classmates, she had other words of encouragement. “If we were able to climb this mountain, we can climb any other we want. Look forward to your dreams as we navigate into a world of opportunities,” she said. “You are sitting next to future nurses, social workers, teachers, scientists, accountants, business owners, and maybe even the next world-changer.”
Marquan Harper '28 contributed to this story.
