Vermont State University (VTSU) is graduating its second class this spring on May 17-18, 2025 and has announced a remarkable lineup of commencement speakers for the four ceremonies, held at the Castleton, Lyndon, Johnson, and Randolph campuses over the weekend.
“We are delighted to welcome distinguished alumni and campus community leaders John Casella, Greg Tatro, Ken Cadow, and Sophia Rivera to our campus celebrations,” stated VTSU President David Bergh. “Each of our four speakers has an incredible story to share, rooted in values we share here at VTSU: community engagement and civic responsibility, lifelong curiosity, and experiential learning.”
Commencement will occur on the Castleton and Randolph campuses on May 17 and at the Lyndon and Johnson campuses on May 18.
The Castleton campus will welcome alumnus and businessman John W. Casella (‘72) as the guest speaker. Casella is the chairman & CEO of Casella Waste Systems, which this spring celebrated its 50th anniversary and has grown into one of the nation’s largest waste and recycling companies, employing over 5,000 people throughout the eastern U.S.
Casella shared, “It’s always a good day when I get to return to the Castleton campus, and I’m looking forward to sharing graduation day with the Class of 2025. I’m grateful for the impact the institution had on me in my younger years and throughout my career as well as the tremendous contributions of its graduates to Casella, the Rutland area, and across the state of Vermont.”
Author Ken Cadow will be the guest speaker at the Lyndon campus event. Cadow is the co-principal of Oxbow High School and the author of “Gather,” a young adult novel based on his own experience working with rural youth.
At the Johnson campus event, Gregory Tatro will be the guest speaker. Tatro is the co-founder of the non-profit Jenna’s Promise, a grassroots organization dedicated to creating pathways to wellness for people with substance use disorders. Their innovative Village Model aims to shift the paradigm of substance use disorder treatment and create better outcomes for individuals in recovery.
At the Randolph event, Sophia Rivera will both receive her bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering technology and speak at the event. She received her associate of science degree in electrical engineering technology two years ago and was recently distinguished as the Student Engineer of the Year.
