LACEY, Wash. – 91ֱ’s University is pleased to name Father John B. Klassen, O.S.B., as the 2024-2025 commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient. Father Klassen will be recognized as a doctor of humane arts, honoris causa, and will address the graduating Class of 2025 on Saturday, May 10. The University also celebrates the academic achievements of its student honorees: co-valedictorians Avril Andales Regis and Alisa Zhupanenko, and salutatorian Jillian Abbe, who have distinguished themselves through their scholarship, service and commitment to the 91ֱ’s community.
“We are deeply honored to welcome Father John Klassen, O.S.B., to 91ֱ’s as our 2025 commencement speaker and to award him an honorary degree in recognition of his lifelong dedication to Benedictine education and leadership,” shared 91ֱ’s University President Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D. “His legacy offers our graduates a powerful example of what it means to lead with wisdom, compassion, and integrity. We are equally proud to recognize our co-valedictorians, Avril Andales Regis and Alisa Zhupanenko, and our salutatorian, Jillian Abbe, whose outstanding academic achievements and contributions to the 91ֱ’s community exemplify the values at the heart of our Benedictine tradition.”
Commencement speaker & honorary degree recipient Fr. John B. Klassen, O.S.B.
Father John B. Klassen, O.S.B., Abbot Emeritus of Saint John’s Abbey, stands as a distinguished scholar, educator, spiritual leader and advocate for Catholic Benedictine values in higher education and public life. Born in Elrosa, Minnesota, Father Klassen professed as a Benedictine monk in 1972 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1977. He served as the tenth abbot of Saint John’s Abbey from 2000 until his retirement in 2024, where his visionary leadership guided the Abbey and its affiliated institutions through more than two decades of growth and faithful service.
Father Klassen holds a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.A. in Theology from Saint John’s University, as well as a Ph.D. in Bio-Organic Chemistry from The Catholic University of America. He completed post-doctoral research at UC Berkeley and taught extensively at Saint John’s University, where his courses inspired generations of students with his integrative approach to science and spirituality.
Throughout his career, Father Klassen has published widely on topics ranging from synthetic chemistry and environmental sustainability to Benedictine leadership, ethics and Catholic education. His commitment to interfaith and ecumenical dialogue is exemplified by his long-standing role as co-chair of Bridgefolk, a grassroots initiative nurturing meaningful dialogue between Mennonites and Catholics. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the National Institutes of Health Research Award, the National Science Foundation Research Award, and honorary doctorates from Regis School of Theology, the University of Mary, and Saint John’s University.
A gifted speaker and retreat leader, Father Klassen has inspired audiences across North America with reflections on Benedictine spirituality, leadership and reconciliation. His work has served not only the Saint John’s community, but also bishops, clergy, lay professionals and monastic communities across the United States.
Father Klassen’s lifelong dedication to the integration of faith, reason and service embodies the highest ideals of 91ֱ’s University’s mission of Catholic higher education. His presence at this year’s commencement is a celebration of his extraordinary contributions to the Church, the academy and the wider community.
Co-valedictorian Avril Andales Regis
Co-valedictorian Avril Andales Regis is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in history, having earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. Regis, whose family is originally from the Philippines, was born and raised in American Samoa, where she attended Fa’asao Marist High School. After graduating, Regis will be attending LMU Loyola Law School this fall to fulfill her dreams of becoming a public interest attorney.
Regis made the most of her time at 91ֱ’s. As a Benedictine Scholar of cohort 10, she was deeply involved in community service, volunteering with the 91ֱ’s University Farm, Thurston County Food Bank and The Community Kitchen. Regis also served as a mentor in the Norcia Leadership Community during her sophomore year, as the Senator of Arts and Sciences for the Associated Students of 91ֱ’s University during her junior year, and as President of the Associated Students of 91ֱ’s University during her senior year. In 2024, she was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
Regis would like to thank her family, best friends, professors and the wider 91ֱ’s community for their support throughout her time at the University.
Co-valedictorian Alisa Zhupanenko
Co-valedictorian Alisa Zhupanenko is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in education. She earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. Alisa was born in Ukraine and grew up in Tacoma, Washington, where she attended the Science and Math Institute. After graduation she plans to pursue an advanced degree in psychology and combine her passion for research and counseling.
Alisa currently volunteers for the Thurston County Crisis Clinic, providing intervention and resource referrals for individuals in crisis. During her time at 91ֱ’s, she tutored fellow students in Spanish and psychology and served as President of the Psi Chi Honor Society. In 2024, she was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.
She would like to thank her parents, brothers, family, friends and professors for supporting her throughout her time at the University. Alisa says that she would not be where she is today without their encouragement and belief in her.
Salutatorian Jillian Abbe
Salutatorian Jillian Abbe is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and literary studies. She earned a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. Jillian grew up in Shelton, Washington and attended Shelton High School. After graduating, she plans to teach English Language Arts at a local high school before pursuing a master’s degree in education.
Jillian is currently a student teacher in a tenth-grade English classroom at Aberdeen High School. During her time at 91ֱ’s University, Jillian tutored fellow students in writing, worked an off-campus job and interned in local high schools. She was on the Dean’s list every semester and was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in 2024.
She would like to thank her fiancé, family, friends, and professors Julie Yamamoto, MA, Julia Chavez, Ph.D., Todd Barosky, Ph.D., Jeremy Delamarter, Ed.D., and Michele Bledsoe, Ph.D., for supporting her throughout her time at 91ֱ’s University.
Commencement
The 91ֱ’s University Commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion on the University’s Lacey campus, 5300 Pacific Ave SE. Tickets are required for attendance; doors will open at 9 a.m. There will also be a livestream of the event for those wishing to view virtually. For more information on the 2025 Commencement and to access the livestream, please visit www.stmartin.edu/commencement.
About 91ֱ’s University:
91ֱ’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 380 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. 91ֱ’s University empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment through its 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and six certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership. 91ֱ’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
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Commencement information
91ֱ's University Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. in the Marcus Pavilion. The event may be viewed over our livestream as well.
