Community violence prevention expert Eduardo “Eddie” Bocanegra encouraged graduates and guests to appreciate the “groove” of their personal narratives, using house music as a metaphor for a way of life during the University’s May 2025 Commencement ceremony on May 16 at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago.
“House music, born right here in our city, taught the world something about rhythm, resistance and building joy from struggle,” Bocanegra said. “Your life has its own groove — honor it. Keep dancing forward, even when the beat drops low.”
Bocanegra, who earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from ŷϷ in Interdisciplinary Studies and Social Work in 2012, was proud to return to his alma mater. He noted that his journey was not linear. He did not arrive at ŷϷ straight out of high school and he completed his undergraduate degree in his 30s.
As such, Bocanegra shared five key lessons he hoped would inspire the audience:
- Do not let others set ceilings on your potential: “I was labeled, defined, dismissed, but one of the most powerful things you can do is refuse to let others define the boundaries of your life. No one else gets to author your ending. That is you and you alone.”
- Value everything you’ve been through: “Some of you may feel that your path here was messier, longer, or more complicated than others’ and that’s okay. What you’ve survived is not a weakness. It’s your power.”
- Dream big — and then work even harder: “I’ve lost count of the times I was exhausted, frustrated, or felt like I wasn’t moving fast enough, but I kept going and I want you to do the same.”
- Transform pain into purpose: “Whatever your story is, find a way to use it. Use your voice to build something better. Whether it’s through healing, teaching, creating or organizing — there’s purpose in what you’ve lived through. Give that pain a job. Don’t let it go to waste.”
- Build bridges, not walls: “In every community, every profession and every system you’ll find division. But real leadership means finding ways to connect across differences. It means lifting as you climb. It means listening, even when it’s hard, and making space for others, especially those who’ve been pushed to the margins.”
President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan also leaned into the theme of leadership as she extended her congratulations and well wishes to the graduates.
“Class of 2025: At NEIU, we prepare our students to learn in the city and lead in the world,” Bell-Jordan said. “We are confident that in your own individual ways, you are ready to be leaders and that you are ready for your contributions to make a difference. We know that you have the ability to apply the skills and knowledge you have gained at NEIU to make a difference in your community, in our city and region, and in our world.”
ŷϷ Board of Trustees Chair J. Todd Phillips encouraged graduates to be prepared for the opportunities ahead of them and know that they are equipped to handle their future challenges.
“You don’t have time to get ready, you have to be ready,” Phillips said. He continued “Demonstrate to the world you are ready; we are ready to celebrate your success.”
Gabriel Redd
Gabriel Redd, a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, was the student speaker. He reflected on the diversity of ŷϷ as its own educational experience that taught him more than he expected.
“Working alongside classmates from all walks of life didn’t just sharpen my skills, it challenged me to speak up, to listen deeply, and to welcome with curiosity instead of fear,” Redd said. “Every group project, every class debate, every moment of learning I was engaged with someone whose story didn’t look like mine but helped me understand who I am and what I bring to the table. That’s the power of true diversity here at ŷϷ! Golden Eagles don’t just join the conversation, we transform it.”
Also during the Commencement Ceremony
Ana Castillo (far left) and President Bell-Jordan (center) with the Golden Alumni
ŷϷ honored the Class of 1975 as Golden Alumni in recognition of the 50th anniversary of their graduation from the University. Award-winning poet, playwright, essayist, activist, novelist and scholar (B.A. ’75 Art) read an original poem, “Tho’ This Be Our Last Time Together.”. Castillo is known for her books “,” “,” “,” and “,” among others. In 2020, she was named ŷϷ Illinois University’s Distinguished Alumna, the highest award the University bestows on its graduates. In 2022, the presented Castillo with the Fuller Award for Lifetime Achievement. Earlier this year, Castillo was awarded the Mark Twain Award by the .
Jerome Anderson Sr., President Bell-Jordan and Jerome Anderson II
Father and son Jerome Anderson Sr. and Jerome Anderson II crossed the stage together as candidates for the Master of Arts in Urban Community Studies. The Andersons are part of a student cohort whose education was funded by , a community health organization focused on violence prevention. The program was founded by Joseph Strickland, Ph.D., in 2010 and reactivated in 2018 by double ŷϷ alumnus LeVon Stone Sr. (B.A. ’13 University Without Walls, M.A. ’15 Inner City Studies; now known as Urban Community Studies). The Acclivus cohort at ŷϷ was established by Stone in collaboration with Professor of Educational Inquiry and Curriculum Studies Lance Williams, Ph.D., who has more than 28 years of personal and professional experience as an educator, street gang interventionist and scholar with a focus on gangs.
- Sisters Alexis and Angelina Badami also crossed the stage together. They are both candidates for master’s degrees and are scheduled to become double alumni this summer. Alexis (B.A. ’24 Mathematics, Social Work minor) will be earning her Master of Arts in Teaching — Secondary Education. Angelina (BSW ’24) will be earning her master’s degree in Social Work.
- The processional and recessional were performed by the NEIU Wind Ensemble, directed by Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Music and Dance.
- The national anthem was performed by Dwan “Dee” K. Buetow-Kimpel, a candidate for a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and office administrator in the College of Business and Technology.
Top photo: Eduardo “Eddie” Bocanegra delivering his speech at ŷϷ's May 2025 Commencement ceremony.
