josely.labarrere@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

 

Seventy-four individuals from around the world officially became U.S. citizens on Monday, 5/4/25 during a naturalization ceremony at Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts. U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove presided over the event, administering the Oath of Allegiance to the new citizens.

“For more than 200 years, Centre has played an integral role in transforming the lives of our students, opening doors to the bright futures which lie ahead of them,” Centre President Milton C. Moreland said. “Today, we had the unique honor of being part of a similar, meaningful moment for new American citizens, joining them in a joyous occasion as they embark on a new path filled with opportunity.”

Naturalization is the final step in the immigration process, granting individuals full rights and responsibilities as U.S. citizens. The ceremony served as both a personal milestone for the new citizens and an educational experience for Centre students, who had the opportunity to witness the process firsthand.

“A naturalization ceremony offers an invaluable opportunity to underscore that, at a fundamental level, democracy in the United States is an action taken up every day by ordinary people,” said Sara Egge, Claude D. Pottinger Associate Professor of History at Centre. “Making new citizens activates the promise established by the U.S. Constitution that it’s the people who are the beating heart behind the work of forming a ‘more perfect Union.’”

Egge emphasized the broader significance of the ceremony, noting that it serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility of all citizens. “The ceremonial part of naturalization serves as a powerful reminder for the rest of us that we are responsible for bringing these former immigrants into community with us,” she said. “All citizens are connected by the rights and duties we share.”

Before the ceremony, Centre students conversed with Judge Van Tatenhove, gaining insight into the legal and civic importance of naturalization. Egge said witnessing the ceremony gave students a deeper understanding of the nation’s founding principles.

“They created a relatively easy and straightforward naturalization process because they wanted to extend citizenship to anyone willing to join them in securing the ‘Blessings of Liberty,’” she said.

Hosting the ceremony aligned with Centre College’s mission to foster civic engagement and democratic understanding. Moreland noted that the experience was not only life-changing for the new citizens but also formative for the students in attendance.

“This was a valuable opportunity for Centre students to get a front-row seat to a process that is integral to our nation,” Moreland said. “The ceremony represented a monumental day in the lives of those completing their citizenship journey—and, I believe it will be a meaningful touchstone for these Centre students who will go on to be the nation’s future judges, attorneys, advocates, and leaders.”