Join in the celebration as the Class of 2025 gets ready to graduate. The 2025 Commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in downtown Salina. All graduates are required to RSVP with Jill Koster for the event. All guests should be seated by 9:45 a.m. More information for guests can be found below.
Grad Finale!
Commencement Weekend Activities
Class Photo
Pioneer Hall, Front Steps
May 16, 10:45 a.m.
This year’s class photo will be taken on the front steps of Pioneer Hall on Friday, May 10 at 10:45 a.m., immediately before the Baccalaureate Service. Please make plans to attend.
Baccalaureate Service
Click here to stream the Baccalaureate Service!
University United Methodist Church
May 16, 11 a.m.
The processional will begin from the front steps of Pioneer Hall after the class photo.
Graduate and Family Picnic
Student Activities Center and Patio
May 16, Noon
RSVP for this special graduate and family event is required to [email protected].
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Mabee Arena
May 16, 6 p.m.
The Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony will be streamed live online at the KWU Athletics Video Portal. Students receiving their pins should be seated by 5:45 p.m.
Commencement Processional and Marching Order
All graduates and faculty should enter the south arena doors and must report to the concourse area of the Tony’s Pizza Events Center by 9:15 a.m. to form the lines of march for the processional. Doors open at 8:30 am. A marching order will be available during the line-up for Commencement.
Commencement Photos and More
To better allow families to enjoy the commencement ceremony and ensure the safety of all guests in the arena, a professional photographer will take the photos of all graduates as they cross the stage. All graduates will be able to download these and other photos from the event free of charge in the days following graduation. Specific instructions will be made available on the main graduation page and KWU social media outlets as soon as possible.
2025 Commencement Speakers
Distinguished alumni Drs. Brandon ’05 and Ralita ’07 Cheeks will serve as the Commencement speakers for Kansas Wesleyan’s 2025 ceremony, set for May 17 at Tony’s Pizza Events Center.
The Cheekses, who achieved their doctoral degrees simultaneously from Kansas State in 2024, last year launched God Over Everything, a nonprofit organization that helps young people find the balance of God, family, youth sports and education.
Ralita Cheeks is the author of “Cracking the Code: Building Inclusive Culture and Climate,” a guide for schools and organizations striving to create environments where every individual feels seen, heard and valued. She is an educator, counselor, author, and leader dedicated to transforming schools, empowering students, and fostering inclusive environments.
Ralita Cheeks has served as a case manager, high school counselor, middle school counselor, virtual school counselor and district mental health liaison.
Her influence has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Woman of Achievement recognition in Salina in 2024 and the Young Alumni Award from KWU in 2018. She has received multiple accolades throughout her career for her dedication to student success, mental health advocacy and educational leadership.
Brandon Cheeks was the first Black principal of Salina’s Sunset Elementary. He was selected a University Council for Educational Administration Jackson Scholar during his doctoral work, helping to further a program that builds a pipeline of graduate students of color who will seek work in education. He is an ordained minister and serves as the assistant to the pastor at St. John’s Missionary Baptist in Salina, part of a litany of community and nonprofit organizations and groups he is involved with. Others include the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas, the Greater Salina Community Foundation and the NAACP Salina Scholarship Committee.
Like his wife, Brandon Cheeks has been honored with numerous awards, including the Kansas Wesleyan Young Alumnus Award, The Community Voice Men of Excellence honor, Salina Public School Teacher of the Month, USD 305 Master Teacher Award and Salina NAACP Service Award.
Notable Events
Baccalaureate Service
University United Methodist Church
May 16, 11 a.m.
A streaming link will be available on the main Commencement page, as well as through KWU’s social media channels.
Nursing Pinning Ceremony
Mabee Arena
May 16, 6 p.m.
The Nursing Pinning Ceremony will be streamed live.
Commencement Ceremony
Tony’s Pizza Events Center Arena
May 17 at 10 a.m.
Join in the celebration as the Class of 2025 gets ready to graduate.
