Big Time Commencement: Caitlin Murray ’01 Named 2025 Graduation Speaker

Tabor Academy proudly announces Caitlin McCormick Murray ’01 as the 2025 Commencement speaker. A digital creator, writer, and humorist, the mom of three has made her mark on the social media world with nearly 2 million followers on Instagram and her podcast, Big Time Adulting. Through candid conversations and humorous observations about parenting, relationships, and life choices, she takes a deep dive into what it means to be human.

After graduating from Tabor Academy, Murray attended Middlebury College where she earned two national championships with the women's varsity lacrosse team. From there she made New York her home, working in the non-profit sector, getting married and welcoming her three children.

"Being at Tabor was this great experience. I had friends who were amazing artists and actors, performers, singers; friends who were incredible athletes and who were incredibly smart. What I loved about it was that there was room to move and explore your own interests. There was a lot of respect for the different interests and different people within the community," she says.

In 2016, her young son was diagnosed with Leukemia. Seeking an outlet for her emotions and a way to connect with others, Caitlin began writing about her experience, a process she found cathartic. A year later, she decided to share her journey publicly through her blog, Big Time Adulting. Over the next several years Big Time Adulting would expand into a podcast of the same name and an Instagram feed (@BigTimeAdulting) where she has amassed nearly two million followers.

When asked to be Tabor's commencement speaker, Murray notes that she was both thrilled and apprehensive.

"As a person who has gained some visibility within the online world of humor and writing, I often experience imposter syndrome. But what made me say 'Yes' was that Tabor was an incredibly formative experience for me, and I am honored and excited to be coming back. It feels like a very surreal, full-circle moment for me," she says.

Murray's unique voice and platform allows her to connect and support others while finding personal fulfillment and success. She is currently working on a book, due to be released in fall 2026.

"That was my goal when I started an Instagram page. I just wanted to write a book but so much more has come from putting myself out there. I'm really excited about following this dream I had," she says.

As for her anticipated speech, "I'm still thinking about the message I'd like to deliver, but a big part is that life doesn't have to happen in any particular order, it's not prescriptive and it's never too late to go after something. Who you are the day you graduate high school might be different from who you are going to be in ten, twenty, or thirty years. We all need to keep an open mind and be open to the idea of change in ourselves and in others."

We look forward to welcoming Murray home to Tabor. Her message to the graduating class will certainly bring the perfect blend of humor, thoughtfulness, and authenticity demonstrated in all of her personal and professional ventures.