BRCC Announces E.J. Kuiper as Spring 2025 Commencement Speaker
Ceremony to also celebrate first graduating class from Pathways to Bright Futures
dual enrollment program
BATON ROUGE, La. –
Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) is proud to announce that E.J. Kuiper, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS),
will serve as the keynote speaker for the College’s Twenty-Ninth Commencement Ceremony.
The event will take place on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Raising Cane’s
River Center, 275 South River Road in downtown Baton Rouge.
Kuiper, a distinguished leader in Catholic healthcare, assumed leadership of FMOLHS
in 2024 and oversees a $3.6-billion not-for-profit healthcare system that serves communities
across Louisiana and Mississippi. With more than 20 years of executive experience,
Kuiper is recognized for his commitment to operational excellence, team member engagement,
and a mission-driven approach to healthcare.
“Mr. Kuiper’s journey from clinician to CEO offers an inspiring example of what’s
possible when hard work and purpose come together. His leadership across the Gulf
South reflects the very values we hope to instill in our graduates — service, perseverance,
and impact.”
This year’s commencement ceremony will celebrate 1,823 students who have earned or
are expected to earn an award following the completion of their coursework during
the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 semesters, recognizing their hard work,
determination, and accomplishments in their educational journey.
Celebrating the First Pathways to Bright Futures Graduating Class
In addition to honoring traditional graduates, BRCC will recognize a historic achievement,
the graduating class of the first cohort of students from the Pathways to Bright Futures dual enrollment program, a partnership between BRCC and the East Baton Rouge Parish
School System.
Launched as a pilot in Summer 2021 at Glen Oaks Magnet High School, the program allowed
students to enroll in both high school and college courses beginning in 9th grade.
This spring, 18 students from that inaugural class will earn their Associate of Arts
Louisiana Transfer Degree in Humanities, graduating from college and high school simultaneously.
“This is a transformative moment not just for BRCC, but for public education in Baton
Rouge. The Pathways to Bright Futures program proves that with the right support,
vision, and collaboration, our students can accelerate their futures and break barriers.
These students are trailblazers, and we are extremely proud of their success.”
The program is part of a broader effort to increase college access and completion
among high school students by providing a structured academic path, reducing college
costs, and preparing students to transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce
with a degree in hand.
