In his welcome remarks, Bethany President Jamie Caridi reflected on the significance of the day while recognizing the many individuals who helped graduates reach commencement.

“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, addressing families and supporters in attendance. “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 the personal growth and experiences that shaped their time at Bethany while embracing the opportunities that lie ahead.

“You are ready, just as those before you were, to make an impact,” he said. “You are also ready to redefine success beyond likes and thumbs-ups, as you meet uncertainty with confidence, create meaning out of what may feel like chaos, and model what it looks like to promote a world of worth and value for all to see.”

He also reminded graduates that while commencement marks the end of one journey, Bethany will always remain a part of their story.

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

As part of a longstanding Bethany tradition, graduates received diplomas bearing not only the signatures of the College president and Board chair, but also the signatures from members of the Bethany community — a symbol of the support and connections formed throughout their college experience.

Honorary Degree Conferred Upon Bob Orr ’75

During the ceremony, Bethany College conferred an honorary doctorate upon commencement speaker Bob Orr ’75, Emmy Award-winning journalist and veteran CBS News correspondent.

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

Orr spent more than 40 years in broadcast journalism, most notably as CBS News’ Justice and Homeland Security correspondent. Throughout his career, he covered major national and international events, including the Sept. 11 attacks, the Boston Marathon bombings, the death of Osama bin Laden, and the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. His investigative reporting also helped uncover a design flaw in the Boeing 737 rudder system following the 1994 crash of US Air Flight 427.

In his commencement address, Orr challenged graduates to reconnect with one another through meaningful conversations, thoughtful engagement, and a commitment to truth in an increasingly divided and technologically dependent world.

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

Drawing from his 43-year journalism career, Orr reflected on the importance of relationships, trust, and credibility in both professional and personal life.

“I quickly learned success, in any field, depends on building good relationships,” he said. “For a reporter, relationships are essential for developing trust and credibility with sources and the audience.”

Orr also spoke candidly about the challenges facing journalism, the rise of misinformation, and declining public trust in media institutions.

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

Throughout the address, Orr encouraged graduates to seek genuine dialogue with others, including those with differing viewpoints, while remaining open-minded and committed to respectful discourse.

“So, let’s try this,” Orr said. “Let’s put down our cellphones occasionally and seek out real dialogue with others. And not just our like-minded friends.”

He urged the Class of 2026 to lead with empathy, compassion, and critical thinking as they navigate an increasingly complex world shaped by technology, political division, and artificial intelligence.