“We cannot fulfill [our] mission without academic freedom, freedom of expression and freedom of thought, but we exercise these rights within a framework of responsibility. It is why you lived by an honor code and UMW’s Aspire community values during your time here, it is why we welcome diverse perspectives and promote civil discourse. It is what our founding fathers called virtuous citizenship. Without it, our democracy and basic freedoms will not survive.”
See more from the 2025 University of Mary Washington Commencement.
The University of Mary Washington Commencement was one of seventy campuses participating in From Campus to Community a new national campaign to champion civil discourse and democratic engagement in this year’s commencement season. More from President President Troy Paino.