Livvy Dunne Graduates From LSU, Olivia Ponton and More Celebrate

Livvy Dunne can officially add “college graduate” to her growing list of accomplishments. 

Dunne, 22, officially graduated from Louisiana State University on Thursday, December 19. In a series of photos posted via Instagram, the gymnast and TikTok star showed off her diploma while wearing her cap and gown on the school’s campus. 

“Forever LSU🐯,” Dunne captioned the carousel. 

Dunne graduated alongside LSU gymnast Alyona Shchennikova, who were both members of the school’s national championship winning squad in April. 

The official LSU Gymnastics Instagram account congratulated the two graduates with a post on Thursday. “Happy Graduation Day to these two 💜🎓,” the caption read alongside a photo of the pair. 

The big accomplishment was celebrated by some of Dunne’s famous friends, who left their enthusiastic comments on her post. 

Dunne’s fellow Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Olivia Ponton wrote, “livy !!!!! congratulations!!!” Dunne responded, “I love u liv.”

TikTok star Katie Feeney commented, “Congratulations beauty!!💜💜.” Model Grace Boor wrote, “Omg congratulations 💜✨.”

In a TikTok video posted on Tuesday, Dunne hinted what comes next for the social media superstar. 

“Now time for grad school:),” she wrote in the video’s caption. 

While Dunne’s undergraduate career is in the rearview mirror, her time in Baton Rouge is not. In July, she would return for a fifth and final season with the LSU gymnastics team. 

“This past year I found a renewed love of the sport. I had trained a lot in the off season, so I felt really strong and healthy from the start and ready to contribute,” Dunne said at the time. “I really enjoyed the dynamic of the team this year and it all came together well. Winning the national championships was a great team accomplishment, but I feel like I have more to give as an individual competitor.”

She added, “I’m a completely different person than I was 4 years ago. I’ve learned how to juggle so many responsibilities, how to chase big dreams, and how to stay calm in the face of difficult challenges.”

Dunne is currently dating Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes, who was named National League Rookie of the Year in November. 

In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the ESPYs in July, Dunne explained how they make their relationship work given their hectic schedules. 

“We’re always in different states,” Dunne said of Skenes, 22. “We try to see each other as much as possible, especially while it’s my offseason during the summer. When it’s his offseason, he’ll come to LSU and visit me.”

Dunne and the LSU gymnastics team begin their 2025 season on January 3. Skenes and the Pirates begin their spring training schedule on February 22 before opening the regular season on March 27.