As the Commencement season unfolds, the Sister Thea Bowman Education Foundation is proud to celebrate the Class of 2025—four exceptional Scholars whose hard work and dedication have carried them across the finish line.
Congratulations to:
- Taleah Cage, Loyola University Chicago, B.S. in Biology
- Jamiyah Lee, DePaul University, B.S. in Finance
- Mya Bragg, DePaul University, B.A. in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Development
- Eric Swain, Duquesne University, Master’s of Business Administration with a post-baccalaureate certificate in Executive Leadership
- Sydney Thomas, Duquesne University, B.A. in Sociology with a criminal justice focus
Something remarkable happened with this year’s graduating class. For the third consecutive year, Foundation
Scholars in each class achieved a 100 percent graduation rate thanks to the support we provide and the Scholars’ dedication to their degree programs.
From the moment she stepped onto campus, Taleah’s tenacity and commitment could be seen in each step toward her degree. Supported every step of the way by the Foundation and her family, she excelled in her courses and even co-published a National Institutes of Health study titled Draft Genomes of One Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Five Staphylococcus lugdunensis Strains Isolated from Catheterized Urine Samples of Females.
Loyola University Chicago graduate Kristin Blakely, Ph.D., President of the Beekay Foundation, was the Commencement speaker. As you know, mentorship is a key component of our Scholars’ success and one of the best parts about my job. Dr. Blakely shared that mentorship is both transformative and reciprocal. Drawing from her own experience with her late mentor, she highlighted how effective mentors empower their mentees to pursue mission-driven work and social change, even when they challenge them to find their own way. This reflects the Sister Thea Bowman Education Foundation’s belief in the power of mentorship to form compassionate leaders, encourage service, and sustain a cycle of support that benefits both mentor and mentee.
It was an honor to join Taleah’s family to watch her cross the stage to receive her degree. When I caught up with Taleah after the ceremony, she shared her appreciation for the support the Foundation provided to her over the past few years. Taleah also commented that the guidance and opportunities she received transformed not only her academic journey but also developed her leadership skills. Her plans for next year? Medical school.
As these remarkable graduates begin a new journey – whether in research labs, graduate programs, or professional careers—we know they carry the spirit of Sister Thea Bowman: courageous, compassionate, and committed to justice and service. We couldn’t be more proud of Taleah, Thomas, Dashaun, and Jamiyah, and we look forward to the impact they will make in their communities and beyond.
Congratulations, Thea Bowman Scholars Class of 2025!
Joe Barker
Executive Director,
Sister Thea Bowman Education Foundation