Photos contributed GRADUATION – Bethany College celebrated its 186th Commencement Ceremony at Joe Kurey Memorial Court in Hummel Fieldhouse on Saturday. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, staff and trustees, graduates gathered to mark a milestone moment and officially join the ranks of Bethany alumni.

BETHANY — Bethany College held its 186th Commencement Ceremony Saturday at Joe Kurey Memorial Court in Hummel Fieldhouse, celebrating the Class of 2026 and its transition into alumni status.

Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, staff and trustees, graduates marked the milestone ceremony recognizing their academic achievements and future opportunities.

In his welcome remarks, President Dr. Jamie Caridi reflected on the meaning of the day and the support behind each graduate’s success.

“This is a dream realized for you and for them, and we are grateful to be the place where the dream became reality,” Caridi said, thanking families for their support. “Thank you, families, for your encouragement, for your faith in Bethany College and our education, and for your belief in what could be possible for your students.”

Caridi encouraged graduates to reflect on their growth while preparing for what lies ahead.

“You are ready to make an impact,” he said. “You are also ready to redefine success beyond likes and thumbs-ups, as you meet uncertainty with confidence.”

He reminded graduates that Bethany remains part of their lives beyond commencement.

“The relationships you built here, the shared memories you made, and the campus that became your second home will be waiting for you,” he said. “Always.”

As part of a long-standing tradition, graduates received diplomas bearing signatures from college leadership and members of the Bethany community, symbolizing the support they received throughout their education.

During the ceremony, the college conferred an honorary doctorate on commencement speaker Bob Orr ’75, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and former CBS News correspondent.

“For more than four decades, Bob covered some of the most significant events of our time, showing leadership in action and a fervent commitment to truth and public service,” Caridi said.

Orr spent more than 40 years in broadcast journalism, including work as CBS News’ Justice and Homeland Security correspondent. His coverage included the Sept. 11 attacks, the Boston Marathon bombing, the death of Osama bin Laden and the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

In his address, Orr urged graduates to rebuild meaningful communication and engage more thoughtfully in an increasingly divided and technology-driven world.

“In today’s communications, we tend to talk or more often text past each other,” he said. “Context is lost and the messaging is muddled.”

He emphasized the importance of relationships and trust, drawing from his journalism career.

“I quickly learned success, in any field, depends on building good relationships,” Orr said.

Orr also addressed challenges facing journalism, including misinformation and declining public trust.

“Responsibly informing the public is a journalist’s ultimate obligation,” he said. “On that front today, we are failing.”

He encouraged graduates to engage in respectful dialogue and seek understanding across differences.

“Let’s put down our cellphones occasionally and seek out real dialogue with others,” Orr said.

Orr urged the Class of 2026 to lead with empathy, civility and critical thinking in an increasingly complex world shaped by technology and division.

“Truth must be our guide,” he said.

Bethany College congratulated the Class of 2026 and said it looks forward to the impact its newest graduates will make.