Academic Year 2024-25

Good morning, everyone! I am John Bravman, president of Bucknell University, and I am more than thrilled to welcome you to our non-raining Commencement ceremony for the great class, the truly great Class of 2025 and our master’s degree candidates!

Thank you President Bravman, and congratulations, Doris. And thank you to the Bucknell trustees, faculty, parents and of course, the Class of 2025. It's amazing to be back on campus and such an honor to be with you here on such a momentous day.

Bienvenidos, and a warm welcome to my fellow classmates, faculty, staff, alumni and families to our 2025 Commencement ceremony.

I am pleased to share a summary of Bucknell's annual spring Board of Trustees meeting, held on campus from Wednesday, April 30, through Friday, May 2. Most Board committees convened remotely in the period before the on-campus full Board meeting. My sincere thanks to the staff, students and faculty whose thoughtful planning and active participation contributed to its success. Your efforts helped create a productive and meaningful meeting. 

Well, good afternoon, everyone! Thanks for being here on this frigid day. As they say, it’s always the wind that’s worse. Thanks also to the many that I know are watching online. I really appreciate your engagement, and for all of you being here today. Thank you for reserving this time so that we could come together to reflect on the state of Bucknell University and prepare to deliver academic excellence to the next generation.

The winter Board of Trustees Meeting, held in Philadelphia from Feb. 5–7, marked a pivotal moment in Bucknell's strategic evolution, focusing on regulatory, financial and institutional planning priorities.

I write to share this summary report of the fall meeting of the Board of Trustees, which took place on campus from Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25. I am grateful to those who planned and took part in these important conversations, including faculty and staff members who participated in the fall meeting, particularly Faculty Chair Erik Lofgren, as well as the Bucknell Student Government officers who presented to the trustees.

Good evening, members of our distinguished faculty and staff. And welcome, Bucknell University transfer students and Class of 2028! It’s a great privilege to be here as you stand on the threshold of profound opportunities for life-changing transformations.