FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heritage University to hold Class of 2025 Commencement at Yakima Valley SunDome

Yakima, Wash. – Heritage University will celebrate the Class of 2025 at Commencement on Saturday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the Yakima Valley SunDome. Undergraduate and graduate degrees will be conferred upon students graduating from the Heritage Toppenish campus and the Tri-Cities regional site. Overall, 181 students earned their degrees at Heritage this year.

JoDe Goudy, who is a deeply rooted Yakama leader, visionary, and advocate dedicated to preserving and advancing his Native culture, the environment, and future generations, will present this year’s commencement address. He is the owner and founder of Redthought, a Native-owned organization committed to fostering respectful relationships with Mother Earth and ensuring a sustainable future for all generations.

A former Chairman of the Yakama Tribal Council, Mr. Goudy has an extensive history of service to his people, having shaped and led initiatives to address crucial social, cultural, and environmental issues. Currently, he serves as the Vice-Chairman of Se’Si’le, a non-profit organization focused on protecting the rights and ways of life of Native nations. Goudy’s professional journey includes significant work in both the corporate world and the realm of Native leadership. His life’s work has been dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of Indigenous peoples, including challenging the Doctrine of Christian Discovery through legal and diplomatic channels, from the Yakama Nation to the Vatican. His work with Redthought is driven by a desire to bring clarity and coherence to the global conversation on sustainability, justice, and the respect for traditional ways of life. Through his experiences, Goudy has fostered a deep understanding of identity, reality, and the interconnectedness of all people and the environment. His personal reflections and advocacy are centered around powerful questions: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? What is? What isn’t? Why? These questions guide his efforts to unite diverse communities in creating meaningful change.|

Heritage University will present the 2024 Violet Lumley Rau Outstanding Alumnus Award to Maria Zavic Batarao. Batarao currently serves as the Executive Director of Instructional Technology and Assessment at the Wapato School District, where her leadership has been instrumental in improving educational systems and student outcomes. Her career in education is as diverse as it is inspiring, beginning as a classroom teacher, evolving into a Reading Coach, and later becoming the pioneering principal of Simcoe Elementary School before settling into her current position. Her journey reflects a deep and enduring dedication to serving the students and families of her community.

Batarao’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. She serves as the advisor for the Filipino American Community of the Yakima Valley’s Batang Wapato Youth Group, using the performing arts to help young people explore and celebrate their cultural heritage. Her work ensures that Filipino traditions are honored and passed down, creating a bridge between generations and cultures. She is a respected educational leader and a compassionate and selfless community advocate. Her humility, kindness, and genuine care for others have earned her the admiration of colleagues, students, and families alike. She exemplifies the spirit of service and leadership that defines Heritage University alumni.

The Yakima Valley SunDome is located at 1301 South Fair Ave. in Yakima. Parking is free. Additional information is available online at https://heritage.edu/commencement. For more information, contact Davidson Mance, media relations coordinator at (509) 969-6084 or Mance_D@Heritage.edu.

 

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