2023 CCAS Graduation Celebrations
With faculty, friends and family looking on, members of the Class of 2023 were celebrated for their achievement during four days of commencement festivities in May. This year's CCAS graduating class was made up of 2,032 students, including 107 receiving their doctorate, 885 awarded a master's and 1,040 receiving their baccalaureate during the Hooding and Celebration ceremonies held at Lisner Auditorium and the Charles E. Smith Center, respectively.
With the iconic National Monument as the dramatic backdrop, the university-wide Commencement took place on the National Mall. Equal Justice Initiative Founder Bryan Stevenson delivered the keynote address and received an honorary degree in recognition of his lifelong efforts to challenge inequality in America. The Commencement's student speaker was CCAS graduate Giselle Elisa Garcia, a criminal justice major and double minor in psychology and STEM teaching.
Relive the Memories
Download the Programs
Words from Our Speakers
Catherine Anderson, Assistant Professor in Corcoran's Interior Architecture Program
“Embrace uncertainty. . . . Ambiguity seems to be the antithesis of what we, as experts and educators, should advocate; however, by exploring the unknown and trusting the process and ourselves, that’s where possibilities dwell.”
CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck
"You are steeped in competencies that every scientist, lawyer, corporate executive, artist, entrepreneur, educator and yes, even the folks in Silicon Valley, want and need: the ability to reason, to think critically, communicate effectively, and make evidence-based decisions."
Amrita Grewal, MA in Speech-Language Pathology, Distinguished Master’s Degree Scholar
"I would like to challenge each and every one of us to use our education for the greater good. To be curious about the things we don’t know, and to be curious about how things could be better. To seek opportunities to continue learning from and serving our communities, to make a positive impact, and to be a force for change in our world."
Gabe Grauvogel, BS in Physics, Distinguished Undergraduate Scholar
"A future is not given to you. It is something you must take for yourself. Never stop asking questions, never stop learning. Take time for yourself, be proud of your achievements, you’ve done a lot to be here, but there is even more to be done with our limited time on this planet."
Justin Grady, BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences & Distinguished Undergraduate Scholar
"The next stage is bound to be challenging, and there will be times when you feel overwhelmed, and even alone. But remember to let those around you in. With a strong support, there’s nothing you can’t do if you work hard."
Mark S. Wrighton, President, George Washington University
"Now, as you leave us, you are charting a path into a distinguished future that will make the world a better place. Stay focused, work hard, and make us proud."
Hats Off to These Grad Caps
Faculty Awards
- Robert W. Kenny Prize for Innovation in Teaching of Introductory Courses
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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.
- Michelle Kelso, Assistant Professor of Sociology and International Affairs
- Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students
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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.
- Hosam M. Mahmoud, Professor of Statistics
- Award for Excellence in Graduate Faculty Mentoring
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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.
- Fran Buntman, Assistant Professor of Sociology
- Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Doctoral Students
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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.
- Ilana Feldman, Professor of Anthropology, History, and International Affairs
Watch the Videos
12 p.m. Undergraduate Celebration
Speakers at the noon celebration included District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, GW President Mark S. Wrighton, Distinguished Scholar recipient Justin Grady (BS in Psychological and Brain Sciences) and Assistant Professor of Political Science Nicole Bartels.
3:30 p.m. Undergraduate Celebration
Speakers at the 3:30 p.m. celebration included Distinguished Scholar recipients Gabriel Grauvogel (BS in Physics) and Parker Blackwell (BA in Classical & Ancient Near Eastern Studies) and The Korean Foundation and Kim-Renaud Associate Professor of Korean Literature and Culture Studies Immanuel Kim.
Participating Majors
- 12 p.m. Ceremony
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- 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
- 3:30 p.m. Ceremony
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- 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
Master's Celebration
Speakers at the master's celebration included Distinguished Scholar recipient Amrita Grewal (Speech-Language Pathology) as well as Assistant Professor of Interior Architecture at the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design Catherine K. Anderson.
Doctoral Hooding
Graduates received doctorates in various fields across the arts and sciences. This year's Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Doctoral Students was presented to Professor of Anthropology, History, and International Affairs Ilana Feldman.