College Announces 2025 Commencement Ceremony 

Bellevue College is thrilled to announce its 2025 Commencement Ceremony, an event that brings the community together to honor and celebrate the achievements of our graduates. This year’s ceremony will be held on June 20, 2025, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Graduates, their families, and friends are all invited to attend. 

Bellevue College President Dr. David May, Professor Sue Nightingale, and student Kateryna Tekmenzhi will speak at the ceremony, followed by the conferring of degrees. 

“I am incredibly proud of each and every member of the Class of 2025, and I look forward to celebrating my second Commencement Ceremony at Bellevue College alongside them,” said President May. “Our graduates have demonstrated remarkable dedication, determination, and achievement. It is a true honor to recognize their academic success and share this momentous occasion with their families, friends, and the entire Bellevue College community.” 

Faculty speaker Professor Sue Nightingale teaches oceanography, marine biology, and ecology courses at Bellevue College. She is celebrating over 30 years at the institution and has served as the Faculty Union President and program chair for the Life Sciences division. She has a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from Occidental College and a master’s in fisheries from the University of Washington. 

“I am constantly amazed by the talents and caring of these graduating students,” Nightingale said. “It is an honor to have worked with them as they made their way through their degrees and certificates with the unique challenges over the last few years they have had to navigate. I look forward to hearing about their successes and achievements in the future, and I’m grateful for any part I have had in helping them understand the breadth of their talents. I wish them clear skies and fair winds!” 

Student speaker Tekmenzhi is graduating from Bellevue College with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Data Management and Analysis. Twenty years ago, she immigrated to the United States from Ukraine with her family and has served as a tutor at Bellevue College’s Academic Success Center and Occupational and Life Skills program.  

“During my time at Bellevue, one of the most meaningful experiences has been the genuine nature of my professors,” student speaker Tekmenzhi said. “Instructors like Dan [Yamasaki], Sathya [Madhusudhanan], Lisa [Harris], and Zorica [Wacker] stand out; you can truly feel their passion for teaching and their commitment to helping us succeed. Being around their guidance and enthusiasm has ignited something in me. Now I’m graduating with this spark to become an educator myself. It’s amazing to think how the influence of my professors can create a full circle in education, where their teachings not only shape my journey but also eventually reach students I haven’t met yet.” 

Bellevue College’s Commencement Ceremony is the biggest event of the year, typically drawing hundreds of graduates, their friends, and families, with unlimited seating available.