Bruna Velez named Lawrence’s senior class speaker: ‘Past four years have been transformative’

Bruna Velez, a senior international relations major from New York City, will be the senior class speaker at Lawrence University’s 2025 Commencement, set for June 15 on Main Hall Green.

“These past four years have been transformative, both academically and personally,” Velez said of her desire to represent the senior class. “I wanted the opportunity to thank and acknowledge my fellow classmates because we did it together. It’s an honor to be part of the Class of 2025.”

Velez, selected for the honor by a committee of faculty and staff, has been a leader during her time at Lawrence, including serving as president of Lawrence’s Model United Nations team, working with the Office of Advancement to connect with alumni through the Forever a Lawrentian campaign, and being active in sorority life and on the cheer and dance teams. She studied abroad in Rome and secured summer internships in New York and Washington, D.C.

She also was selected as one of the student dancers for “Gather Together,” the original dance performance presented in May by choreographer Robert Battle as part of Lawrence’s inaugural Creator in Residence program.

“It was an absolutely amazing experience and truly reinforced how to best connect to people through the arts,” Velez said.

Her post-graduation plan includes working as a paralegal for a year or two before beginning law school. 

“I’ve always wanted to go into law to help people,” Velez said. “I’m trying to find that area between my international studies and humanitarian law, as well as international business law, and then slowly migrating into refugee and immigration law.” 

An Ecuadorian American, Velez first connected with Lawrence through the university’s partnership with the Posse Foundation. Her international relations major gave her access to visiting professors and other professionals who spoke passionately about diplomacy work and other aspects of international careers. 

“And then through Model UN, which is facilitated through the International Relations Department, we’ve been able to meet people from all over the world and experience what it’s like to be part of an international community,” Velez said. “All of that really solidified my want and desire to be a part of it.”

She will share aspects of that journey with her fellow graduates at Commencement.

“I am incredibly grateful for the experience I’ve had here at Lawrence,” Velez said.

Lawrence’s Commencement also will feature an address from Commencement speaker Campbell Scott ’83, an accomplished actor and director, a message from Lawrence President Laurie A. Carter, and the awarding of honorary degrees to Robert McDonald ’73, a much-honored pianist and music educator, and Scott. Beginning at 10 a.m., it will be the culmination of a Commencement weekend that includes a Commencement concert on June 13 featuring members of the Class of 2025, a cookout for the campus community and a Baccalaureate service, both on the afternoon of June 14, a weekend-long senior art exhibition in Wriston Art Center, and various dinners and celebrations.