2022 CCAS Graduation Celebrations

A graduation cap decorated with flowers and "Grad class of 2022"

 

With faculty, friends and family looking on, the Class of 2022 received a warm sendoff over four days of graduation festivities. The in-person CCAS doctoral, master's and undergraduate ceremonies were a welcome celebration after two years of virtual ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Among the featured speakers at the CCAS Celebrations were President Mark S. Wrighton, Provost Christopher Alan Bracey, and CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck. GW's university-wide Commencement on the National Mall featured an address from alumna and Olympic bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, who is the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympic history.

 

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Celebration Photos

  • A doctoral graduate on stage receiving her hood from the dean and smiling1 of 18

    A graduate receiving her hood at the 2022 Columbian College Doctoral Hooding ceremony.

  • Dean Paul Wahlbeck shaking hands with a doctoral graduate on stage2 of 18

    CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck greets graduates on stage at the 2022 Columbian College Doctoral Hooding ceremony.

  • A doctoral graduate on stage hugging a faculty member in regalia3 of 18

    Newly hooded graduates celebrating at the 2022 Columbian College Doctoral Hooding ceremony.

  • A doctoral graduate in regalia grinning and holding a bouquet4 of 18

    Newly hooded graduates celebrating at the 2022 Columbian College Doctoral Hooding ceremony.

  • Two people taking a selfie outside, one in doctoral graduate regalia5 of 18

    Newly hooded graduates celebrating at the 2022 Columbian College Doctoral Hooding ceremony.

  • Two women in graduation caps and gowns taking a selfie6 of 18

    Graduate students taking selfies at the 2022 CCAS Master's Celebration.

  • Distinguished Scholar Maya Thompson delivered an address at the 2022 CCAS Master's Celebration.7 of 18

    Distinguished Scholar Maya Thompson speaking at the 2022 CCAS Master's Celebration.

  • A professor speaking at a GW podium on stage with a sea of graduation caps in the foreground8 of 18

    Professor of Public Policy and Public Administration, and of Economics, Stephanie Riegg Cellini delivering the faculty address to the graduate class of 2022.

  • Students marching into the master's ceremony in caps and gowns, with a woman wearing a head scarf in the foreground9 of 18

    Master's students marching into the 2022 CCAS Graduate Celebration.

  • A group of graduate students in caps and gowns marching into the ceremony.10 of 18

    Master's students entering the 2022 CCAS Graduate Celebration.

  • A sea of students in caps and gowns11 of 18

    Graduates at the 2022 CCAS Undergraduate Celebration.

  • President Mark Wrighton speaking on stage in a cap and gown.12 of 18

    GW President Mark Wrighton addressing the undergraduate class of 2022.

  • Close up of a young woman in blue cap and gown.13 of 18

    A new graduate at the 2022 CCAS Undergraduate Celebration.

  • CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck in cap and gown at a podium14 of 18

    CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck addresses the Class of 2022 at the Undergraduate Celebration.

  • CCAS undergraduate students cheered on 2022 Distinguished Scholar Darius Cozart.15 of 18

    CCAS undergraduate students cheering on 2022 Distinguished Scholar Darius Cozart.

  • An undergraduate student wearing a mask and pumping his fist in the air16 of 18

    A new graduate at the 2022 CCAS Undergraduate Celebration.

  • A young woman in cap and gown shakes hands with someone over a barrier.17 of 18

    A new graduate greets onlookers at the 2022 CCAS Undergraduate Celebration.

  • A gymnasium filled with stands of people, with graduates in caps and gowns and a speaker shown on a jumbotron18 of 18

    Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences Dwight Kravitz speaks at the 2022 CCAS Undergraduate Celebration.

  • A doctoral graduate on stage receiving her hood from the dean and smiling
  • Dean Paul Wahlbeck shaking hands with a doctoral graduate on stage
  • A doctoral graduate on stage hugging a faculty member in regalia
  • A doctoral graduate in regalia grinning and holding a bouquet
  • Two people taking a selfie outside, one in doctoral graduate regalia
  • Two women in graduation caps and gowns taking a selfie
  • Distinguished Scholar Maya Thompson delivered an address at the 2022 CCAS Master's Celebration.
  • A professor speaking at a GW podium on stage with a sea of graduation caps in the foreground
  • Students marching into the master's ceremony in caps and gowns, with a woman wearing a head scarf in the foreground
  • A group of graduate students in caps and gowns marching into the ceremony.
  • A sea of students in caps and gowns
  • President Mark Wrighton speaking on stage in a cap and gown.
  • Close up of a young woman in blue cap and gown.
  • CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck in cap and gown at a podium
  • CCAS undergraduate students cheered on 2022 Distinguished Scholar Darius Cozart.
  • An undergraduate student wearing a mask and pumping his fist in the air
  • A young woman in cap and gown shakes hands with someone over a barrier.
  • A gymnasium filled with stands of people, with graduates in caps and gowns and a speaker shown on a jumbotron

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Undergraduate Celebrations

2022 Columbian College Virtual Celebration 12:00 pm ceremony

12:00 p.m. Celebration

Speakers at the noon celebration included GW President Mark S. Wrighton, Distinguished Scholar recipient and political science major Darius Cozart and Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences Dwight Kravitz.

2022 Columbian College Virtual Celebration 3:30 pm ceremony

3:30 p.m. Celebration

Speakers at the 3:30 p.m. celebration included GW Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Christopher Alan Bracey, Distinguished Scholar recipient and biology and chemistry major Philip Parel and Professor of Anthropology Sarah Wagner.

Participating Majors

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Criminal Justice
  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Human Services and Social Justice
  • Journalism and Mass Communication (SMPA)
  • Political Communication (SMPA)
  • Political Science
  • Political Science: Public Policy Focus
  • Psychological and Brain Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Africana Studies
  • American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Arabic Studies
  • Archaeology
  • Art History (Corcoran)
  • Art History and Fine Arts (Corcoran)
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Biological Anthropology
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biophysics
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Language and Literature
  • Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies
  • Cognitive Science of Language
  • Communication
  • Creative Writing and English
  • Dance (Corcoran)
  • English
  • Environmental and Sustainability Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Fine Arts (Corcoran)
  • Fine Arts, Photojournalism Concentration (Corcoran)
  • French Language, Literature, and Culture
  • Geography
  • Geological Sciences
  • German Language and Literature
  • Graphic Design (Corcoran)
  • History
  • Interaction Design (Corcoran)
  • Interior Architecture (Corcoran)
  • Japanese Language and Literature
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Language and Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Music (Corcoran)
  • Neuroscience
  • Organizational Sciences
  • Peace Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Philosophy: Public Affairs Focus
  • Photojournalism (Corcoran)
  • Physics
  • Religion
  • Russian Language and Literature
  • Spanish and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
  • Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
  • Special Interdisciplinary Major
  • Statistics
  • Theatre (Corcoran)
  • Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  • Associate in Arts, General Studies

 

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Graduate Celebrations

2022 Columbian College Celebration Master's Celebration

Master's Celebration

Speakers at the master's celebration included Distinguished Scholar recipient Maya Thompson (American studies) as well as Professor of Public Policy and Public Administration, and of Economics, Stephanie Riegg Cellini.

2022 Columbian College Celebration Doctoral Hooding ceremony

Doctoral Hooding

In the doctoral hooding, graduates received doctorates in various fields in both the arts and sciences. This year's Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Doctoral Students was awarded to Assistant Professor of Biology Sandy Kawano.

 

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Celebration Programs

 

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Faculty Awards

The Robert W. Kenny Prize for Innovation in Teaching of Introductory Courses is awarded annually to a faculty member in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences who has shown innovation, creativity, and originality in teaching an introductory course in the Arts and Sciences. The recipient, who is among the most talented of our teachers, teaches an introductory or basic course during the academic year in a novel and innovative way. Professors receiving this award have encouraged their students to think differently, allowing them to take advantage of their academic experience at the George Washington University. The Kenny Prize honors former Dean Robert Kenny and his special dedication to stimulating experiences for GW students and his emphasis on the importance of introductory courses as students undertake their studies in the liberal arts and sciences.

  • Phillip Troutman, Assistant Professor of Writing and of History, Director of Writing in the Disciplines
  • Sara Matthiesen, Assistant Professor of History and of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
  • Honorable Mention: Xiaoke Zhang, Assistant Professor of Statistics

The Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students is awarded to a regular, full- time faculty member in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences who demonstrates excellence in the teaching and mentoring of advanced undergraduate students. With this prize, we recognize exceptional achievement in one or more of the following areas of work: teaching an advanced undergraduate course, advising students, directing undergraduate research, designing a capstone experience, or mentoring students who achieve departmental honors and other distinctions.

  • Randi Gray Kristensen, Professor of the University Writing Program, Deputy Director of Writing in the Disciplines

The Award for Excellence in Graduate Faculty Mentoring is given to a faculty member nominated by graduate students. Mentoring and advising are crucial to the intellectual life and career trajectories of graduate students across the arts, sciences and professions. A good mentor is a source of wisdom and expertise, an inspiring role model, a compassionate critic, a sounding board, an advocate and a career counselor.

  • Kavita Daiya, Professor of English, and of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

The Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Doctoral Students is given to a faculty member nominated by students in the PhD and PsyD programs of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Mentoring and advising are crucial to the intellectual life and career trajectories of doctoral students across the arts, sciences and professions. A good mentor is a source of wisdom and expertise, an inspiring role model, a compassionate critic, a sounding board, an advocate and a career counselor.

  • Sandy Kawano, Assistant Professor of Biology

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Words From Our Speakers

  • Paul Wahlbeck speaking at a podium

    Paul Wahlbeck testimonial celebration

    “Your resilience in the face of difficulty, your adaptability to new ways of learning and your dogged determination to get to where you sit today, makes your achievement all the more noteworthy.” — CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck

  • Darius Cozart speaking at a podium in cap and gown

    Darius Cozart testimonial celebration

    “We must have the courage not only to remake ourselves as individuals but to situate ourselves within a historical trajectory that looms larger than any one of us ..." — Distinguished Undergraduate Scholar Darius Cozart, BA Political Science

  • Maya Thompson speaking at a podium

    Maya Thompson testimonial celebration

    “May we let our feelings and experiences be bridges of connection to others. May the work always bring us closer to ourselves, even when it's uncomfortable, and to our communities.” — Distinguished Master’s Scholar Maya Thompson, MA American Studies

  • Sarah Wagner speaking at a podium

    Sarah Wagner testimonial celebration

    “What gift of labor and love will you give to your community, however you define it, wherever and whenever it may arise? Let it be gifts that transform and lift up, from little acts of kindness to bold strokes of action.” — Professor of Anthropology Sarah Wagner

Graduation Caps Galore

Share your own decorated grad cap with us on social media at #CCASOnward.

  • Graduation cap embellished with the quote "I think I am quite ready for another adventure," along with a hobbit door.1 of 10

    Graduates decorated their graduation caps for the 2022 celebration.

  • Grad cap embellished with scissors, glue, paintbrushes and pencils2 of 10
  • Grad cap embellished with flowers and Greek letters3 of 10
  • Grad cap embellished with flowers and the words "GRAD class of 2022"4 of 10
  • Grad cap embellished with the words "You almost lost me there but I pulled through"5 of 10
  • Grad cap embellished with butterflies and the words "Class of 2022"6 of 10
  • Grad cap decorated with the words "Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim."7 of 10
  • Back of a grad cap with "over-educated feminist" in glitter8 of 10
  • A grad cap with Spongebob and the words "hold on, let's get this"9 of 10
  • A grad cap with glitter and the words "educated mexicana"10 of 10
  • Graduation cap embellished with the quote "I think I am quite ready for another adventure," along with a hobbit door.
  • Grad cap embellished with scissors, glue, paintbrushes and pencils
  • Grad cap embellished with flowers and Greek letters
  • Grad cap embellished with flowers and the words "GRAD class of 2022"
  • Grad cap embellished with the words "You almost lost me there but I pulled through"
  • Grad cap embellished with butterflies and the words "Class of 2022"
  • Grad cap decorated with the words "Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim."
  • Back of a grad cap with "over-educated feminist" in glitter
  • A grad cap with Spongebob and the words "hold on, let's get this"
  • A grad cap with glitter and the words "educated mexicana"

#CCASOnward

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blue grad cap line

 

Past Celebrations