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Lisa Carter Sheppard ’25, College for Adults

Lisa Carter Sheppard, who graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, was the student speaker at the College for Adults ceremony. A first-generation college graduate, Sheppard spoke about how helping her mother recover from an injury led her to discover her passion for occupational therapy and embark on a new journey at age 54. She shared that other family members inspired her path too, and encouraged the audience to embrace the challenges ahead and persevere. 

“My grandmother, Marcell Booker Stigger, was a great baker, cook, dancer, gospel singer, and trailblazer — a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black female battalion during World War II. These brave women sorted and delivered millions of letters to boost the morale of soldiers, ensuring that no letter went undelivered. Their quiet heroism paved the way for women like me to step into spaces once thought unreachable. Her legacy is a reminder that even the smallest acts of perseverance can create ripples of hope for generations to come.”

Jill Berray ’21, MSW’25, Graduate College

In her address to the Graduate College, Jill Berray, a Master of Social Work graduate who also earned her BS from St. Kate’s, highlighted the values an education from the University instills, including social justice and community care. She spoke about the metaphor of a tree, which, she explained, is often used in social work to describe the importance of looking at the “roots” of societal problems in order to understand issues in their full context and complexity.

“As St. Kate’s graduates, our history and lived experiences in the world are our roots. Your roots are your history and they affect how your tree will grow. Our education becomes the trunk of our tree, sprouting from and shaped by our individual perspectives in the world and in these programs. It is the foundation that holds us up, that allows us to withstand the strong wind and rain of a tumultuous world. We know we can rely on this education and knowledge to support us in difficult times; and combined with our own unique experiences, this makes us who we are. St. Kate’s has helped us to nourish strong trunks that allow healthy branches to grow, reaching out into communities and making a tangible difference with the people we encounter.”

Sophie Hedrington ’25, College for Women   

Sophie Hedrington, a double major in economics and political science, delivered the student address to College for Women graduates. While reflecting on her college experience, she noted that many individual decisions over the years led her to this moment on stage — including plenty of decisions that could be called irrational. 

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my time at St. Kate’s, it’s that not every decision has to be perfectly rational to be meaningful. In fact, some of the most defining moments come from the choices we make on instinct — the ones that push us outside our comfort zones, introduce us to new people, or challenge us to see the world in a new way.”

Hedrington concluded: “Now, let’s go forward with confidence, make choices that challenge the status quo, and leave a lasting impact on the world — one decision at a time.”