On Monday, 23 June 2025, the College of Europe in Natolin celebrated the Graduation Ceremony of the 2024/2025 Academic Year, marking the completion of studies for the departing Jacques Delors Promotion.
The Natolin Choir opened the ceremony by singing the Ode to Joy followed by a welcome address by Vice-Rector Mrs Ewa OŚNIECKA-TAMECKA an a Graduation Address delivered by the Rector, Mrs Federica MOGHERINI.
This significant occasion also included the announcement of awards for the best students, outstanding Master’s theses, and other special prizes honouring the hard work and dedication shown throughout the academic year.
On the occasion of the ceremony, the following prizes were announced and awarded by Prof. Pascaline WINAND, Prof. Richard BUTTERWICK-PAWLIKOWSKI, and Prof. Adam ŁAZOWSKI to the best students and the best Master's theses' authors of the Jacques Delors Promotion 2024/2025 at Natolin:
- Best Student of the Jacques Delors Promotion at Natolin: Ms Sophie JEITLER
- Best Student of the "EU Public Affairs and Policies" major: Mr Marian Edward FILA
- Best Student of the "EU and the World" major: Ms Sophie JEITLER
- Best Student of the "EU in the Wider Europe and its Neighbours" major: Ms Laura FLORINDO SANCHEZ-PUERTA
- Best Student of the "European History and Civilization" major: Mr Vincent Hans Georg RAAB and Mr Ethan Alexander GRAY
- Outstanding Master's thesis in the field of European History and Civilization: Ms Lotte Tine CLAERHOUT
- Outstanding Master's thesis in the field of European Neighbourhood Studies: Ms Gracia Maria PEREZ VICO
- Best Master's thesis in European Interdisciplinary Studies: Ms Lotte Tine CLAERHOUT and Ms Gracia Maria PEREZ VICO
In addition, external awards were presented:
- Sergio Lopez Perona Memorial Prize for the best Master's thesis on the EU’s relations with the Middle East: Mr Jacek KAMIL KINOWSKI
- Prize of the Dipartimento Affari Europei della Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri: Mr Matteo CASULA
The graduation ceremony continued with the final remarks of the student representatives of all campuses, followed by the presentation of the outcomes of the initiatives of Natolin students: We Natolinians for Ukrainians and We Natolinians for Valencia.
A keynote address by a Ukrainian alumnus, Lieutenant Roman ZAGORODNIY from the John Maynard Keynes promotion (2016/2017) offered further inspiration to our students as they prepare to move forward with confidence.
The ceremony concluded with a final performance by the Natolin Choir and a farewell address by the Vice-Rector of the College of Europe, Mrs Ewa OŚNIECKA-TAMECKA.
"You came to Natolin from dozens of countries, each carrying your own histories, hopes, and hesitations. And together, you built something rare: a community shaped by difference, by varied backgrounds and perceptions, yet united by curiosity and a commitment to understanding complexity. You have shown that this community is more than academic — it is human, hopeful, and united in difference. My dear students, you have responded with resilience, purpose, and solidarity. That, in itself, is a remarkable achievement."
- Ewa OŚNIECKA-TAMECKA, Vice-Rector
Read the full address here.
Following the formal part of the ceremony, a group photo was taken in front of the Natolin Palace. The celebrations then continued with a farewell flying cocktail on the prairie behind the Winter Garden: a moment to share final memories together.
This day held deep meaning not only for our graduates, but also for their families, friends, and the entire Natolin community. We were proud to come together and to honour our students and their achievements ahead to their next steps in life.
The Graduation Ceremony was live-streamed on our YouTube channel. Here is our photo-gallery from the graduation below:
