Speaking from experience, the 2003 alumnus recounted the rocky start to his own career, a time when job offers were scarce, grad school rejections piled up, and the only available opening was a freelance radio assignment.

“Twenty-two years ago, I was sitting in your seat. Little did I know my future wife, Dawn, was sitting out there, too. We will celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary in August and have two little Bobcats of our own,” said Marrapodi. “In 2003, I graduated with a degree in mass communications and broadcast journalism. My job prospects were bleak. I applied and applied for jobs. And I failed. A lot.”

But what followed was a career spanning CBS, CNN and NPR that has been defined not just by success, but by bold missteps, from booking a guest on Nancy Grace using the wrong time zone for a live show, to accidentally cutting CNN’s feed during a major broadcast. And yet, in each case, he emphasized, the failures paved the way for growth, trust and progress.

“I’ve had the chance to hang out backstage with rock stars, I’ve produced interviews with every living president. I’ve interviewed a serial killer behind bars and genocidaires in Rwanda. I saw the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel when Pope Francis was elected. I’ve been on the sidelines of NFL games and in the pits at NASCAR races,” said Marrapodi. “And those were all great experiences. But I had to be willing to take those shots. I had to be willing to fail and fail boldly. As you step into the next phase of your careers — You need to fail. And you need to fail boldly.”

The speaker, who now oversees “Morning Edition,” “All Things Considered,” and top podcasts like “Up First,” told graduates that courage in the face of uncertainty is essential. He urged them to “shoot your shot, even if you miss.”

In a nod to his own Quinnipiac roots, he reminded the graduates that what matters most isn’t the degree itself, but the persistence it took to earn it.

“As you walk across the stage, know this: They can’t take this away from you,” he said. “If you remember two things from this speech…Get out there and fail boldly. Congratulations, Class of 2025. Go, Bobcats!”

During the Sunday morning ceremony, the university conferred degrees to 295 School of Communications graduates, including 176 undergraduates in Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts, 14 Master of Science Sports Journalism, 12 Master of Science Journalism, 24 Master of Science Public Relations, 31 Master of Arts Cinematic Production Management and 37 Master of Science Interactive Media Comm degrees. Among the 441 College of Arts & Sciences graduates, the university conferred degrees to 412 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees, along with 29 Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology degrees. 

The ceremony began with the national anthem performed by Sasha Zoe Karzhevsky ’25, and an enthusiastic welcome from Provost Debra Liebowitz. 

Judy Olian, president of Quinnipiac, acknowledged the hard work and resilience of the Class of 2025, emphasizing their readiness for the next chapter.

“Today, we gather on this beautiful Mount Carmel Quad to celebrate a remarkable group of individuals — scholars, creators, storytellers, scientists, advocates and innovators — who have worked tirelessly, grown immensely, and are now ready to take the next bold step into their futures,” said Olian

She praised the graduates not only for their academic accomplishments but also for their strength in navigating an ever-changing world, noting their future impact across a broad spectrum of fields, from journalism and psychology to game design and forensic science.

After inviting the graduates to stand and applaud their families and loved ones, she led them in a cheer for the faculty and staff, led by Dean Adam Roth, of the College of Arts & Sciences, and Dean Nadine Cosby, of the School of Communications, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

“When I look at this class, I see the trailblazers of tomorrow who are prepared to embrace a world that is accelerating change,” said Olian. “You will lead change in social, digital and visual journalism, in psychology, forensic science, data science, biology, game design, and so much more…. And that person you’ve become—who appreciates, hears across, and seeks to bridge differences — you’re the person the world needs today.”

President Olian reminded graduates of the support network they’ve built and the lifelong connections they’ve formed, encouraging them to stay engaged with the Quinnipiac community and to step into the world as “enlightened global citizens equipped for careers of the future.”

“You have the resilience to turn adversity into advantage…the leadership capacity to blaze new trails and bring others along,” said Olian. “And you have a Bobcat network, on campus, across the country, and around the world, to draw upon and enrich in return.”

School of Communications class speaker Jennifer Dorothy Moglia ’25, a self-proclaimed pop culture expert, reflected on her unique academic journey, one shaped by media and passion projects. Moglia received her Master of Science in Public Relations degree during Saturday’s ceremony. 

“I’ve found that the way we feel about endings in pop culture is similar to the way we feel about them in real life,” said Moglia. “We want everything to go perfectly, right up until the credits roll. Something else I’ve learned here is that not everything always works out like you plan. No matter how you got here today, I want you to know that you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished, even if it doesn’t look like you pictured it once upon a time.”

Student speaker Amalia Grace Barroso ’25, delivered a heartfelt address on behalf of the College of Arts & Sciences, reflecting on the journey they took from uncertain first-year students to confident graduates. Barroso received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree during Saturday’s ceremony. 

“Quinnipiac didn’t just teach us the facts and theories… it threw us into the deep end of self-discovery,” she said. “We learned that success isn’t linear, that failure is just a stepping stone, and that sometimes the most valuable lessons don’t come from class, but from life itself.”

She urged classmates to carry that same perseverance into the real world, closing with: “Go out there, chase your dreams, take risks and never stop learning.”

After asking the graduates to officially move their tassels to the left, Alumni Association Board Member Yvonne Alston ’98, concluded the ceremony by welcoming the Class of 2025 as alumni, reminding the graduates that they are today, and always, a “Bobcat for life!”

Photo Gallery

Watch the College of Arts & Sciences and School of Communications Ceremony

Arts & Sciences, Communications

College of Arts & Sciences and School of Communications Program and Order of Exercises

Saturday, May 10, 3 p.m.

Download the program (PDF)

Order of Exercises

College of Arts & Sciences
School of Communications

3 p.m.

Trumpet Prelude and Processional

Pomp and Circumstance, Sir Edward Elgar

Call to Commencement

Debra J. Liebowitz, PhD
Provost

National Anthem

Sasha Zoe Karzhevsky

Greetings

Judy D. Olian, PhD
President

Class of 2025 Student Speakers

• College of Arts & Sciences: Amalia Grace Barroso

• School of Communications: Jennifer Dorothy Moglia

Introduction of Commencement Speaker

Ben Bogardus, MA, MS
Associate Professor and Chair of Journalism

Commencement Address

Eric Marrapodi ’03
Vice President, News Programming, NPR

Presentation of Candidates for Degrees and Awards

• College of Arts & Sciences: Adam Roth, PhD, Dean

• School of Communications: Nadine Barnett Cosby, PhD, Dean

Conferral of Degrees

Judy D. Olian

Alumni Welcome

Yvonne Alston ’98
Alumni Association Board

Recessional

Eric Marrapodi ’03

Vice President, News Programming, NPR

College of Arts & Sciences and School of Communications Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement | Saturday, May 10, 3 p.m.

Eric Marrapodi is an award-winning journalist and the vice president of news programming at NPR, National Public Radio. In this role, he oversees NPR's flagship news magazines, including “All Things Considered,” “Weekend Edition” and “Weekend All Things Considered.” He is also responsible for the Newscast division, the Network Booking and Specials team and NPR’s podcasts such as “Up First” and “Consider This.”

Previously, Marrapodi worked on the NPR management team at “Morning Edition” and was the lead producer of special events live coverage for political reporting and the network booking team. His innovative direction led to new approaches in NPR's special coverage, including expanding to video interviews and the use of Twitter spaces.

Prior to NPR, Marrapodi was the senior producer in Washington for “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.” His career included more than a decade at CNN, where he was part of their Emmy Award-winning election coverage and co-creator of the “Belief” blog, focused on faith and values.

Marrapodi is a 2003 Quinnipiac graduate with a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism. He also holds a master’s in religious studies from Georgetown University.

Greetings from President Olian

Congratulations, Class of 2025! You’re poised to embark on your life journey as individuals who will influence the workplaces and the world of tomorrow. We are confident your talents, passions and education will lead to meaningful impact in all you touch. There is no doubt that these qualities will lift those around you—your family, workplace and community.

Over the course of your Quinnipiac journey, you’ve been guided by outstanding faculty and dedicated staff who are proud to stand beside you today. All that you’ve learned — and the many ways in which you’ve grown — will serve you well. In addition, you’ve gained new understanding and perspectives from one another during this profoundly transformative time in your lives. Stay connected to your Bobcat family, visit us often, and draw on the friendships and mentor relationships you’ve formed. 

This day is shared with your families and friends — those who’ve supported you every step of the way. They are bursting with pride on the milestone you achieve today. Savor this moment as you begin this next chapter and know we’ll be cheering for you as your Bobcat family.

Warmly
Judy D. Olian, PhD

Mace and Medallion

The mace — a symbol of authority — has antecedents in both Roman and Medieval history. The Roman mace (fasces) was carried by a lictor before the chief magistrate of the city, as well as before the legions. During the Middle Ages, the mace (mateola), a weapon of war, became first a symbol of victory and then a symbol of authority. The mace emblazoned with the Great Seal of England became a symbol of authority in Parliament by the end of the 13th century. It is this form of the mace that was the prototype of those symbols of authority, not only of legislative bodies, but also of cities and universities.

In 1246, following some 20 years of strife, the University of Paris was finally conceded the right to its own common seal. Since then, the use of the seal engraved on the mace has come to symbolize the authority of the academic community. In July 2000, Quinnipiac commissioned the noted sculptor Robert Meyer of Westport, Connecticut, to design and execute a new mace for Quinnipiac University. Cast in bronze, the mace incorporates elements of the university seal.

The medallion (medal of office), like the mace and the seal, is also a symbol of authority. It is possible that its roots may be traced back to the Roman “bulla” (a gold amulet of honor). The obverse of the medallion shows the seal of the office the wearer holds — in our case, the seal of the university. Not infrequently, the reverse would show the personal seal or coat of arms of the bearer. Since the High Middle Ages, the medallion has been worn by such officials as the chancellors of England, mayors of cities, and rectors of universities, and came to signify the high personal position such figures occupied in their respective governments. During the Renaissance, medallion design reached unique artistic heights, and in certain portraits the medallion was given particular prominence. The medallion is worn by the university’s president. The Quinnipiac medal showcases the university seal, sculpted in relief and cast in bronze.

Download the program (PDF)