2024 CCAS Graduation Celebrations
With faculty, friends and family looking on, the Class of 2024 was celebrated for their achievement during four days of commencement festivities, including the CCAS hooding ceremony at Lisner Auditorium and the master's and undergraduate celebrations at the Charles E. Smith Center. This year's CCAS graduating class was made up of over 2,000 students, including 132 receiving their doctorate and 845 graduates receiving master's degrees.
The university-wide Commencement took place on the National Mall, against the iconic backdrop of the National Monument. Jen Psaki, MSNBC host and former White House Press Secretary for President Joe Biden, delivered the keynote address. The Commencement's student speaker was Yahya Aliyu, a biomedical engineering graduate in GW's five-year BS/MS program.
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12 p.m. Undergraduate Celebration
Speakers at the noon celebration included Distinguished Scholar Baylee J. Bogard (Criminal Justice, Communication) and Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences Fallon Goodman.
3:30 p.m. Undergraduate Celebration
Speakers at the 3:30 p.m. celebration included Distinguished Scholars Sonia Goyal (Biology, Human Anatomy) and Danielle S. Towers (Photojournalism) and Professor of Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Christopher Rollston.
Master's Celebration
Speakers at the master's celebration included Distinguished Scholar recipient Naïssa Lindsey Pierre (Applied Economics) as well as Assistant Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Data Science Edwin Lo.
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 Assistant Professor of Applied Social Psychology Ellen Yeung.
Words from Our Speakers
Naïssa Pierre, MA in Applied Economics, Distinguished Master’s Scholar
“Through our experiences – and our mistakes – we will decide what versions of ourselves we want to be, and what version of the world we want to live in.”
Fallon Goodman, Assistant Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences
"When you encounter your next challenge and you think, ‘What now?’, it means that despite any restraints of your circumstances, despite any experiences in your past, you have an opportunity to make choices that serve the future ahead of you. And it’s okay if you don’t have a road map. All you need is you.”
CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck
“I extend my heartfelt best wishes to each one of you — I have no doubt that you possess the resilience, the drive, and the vision to succeed. Go forth and seize the opportunities that await!”
Sonia Goyal, BS in Biology, Minor in Human Anatomy, Distinguished Undergraduate Scholar
“Whether it was attending galas at the National Portrait Gallery, or morning runs at the National Mall, or witnessing a presidential motorcade on the way to class, we grew to call Washington DC our home. We created core memories I am sure will last a lifetime.”
Danielle S. Towers, BFA in Photojournalism, Distinguished Undergraduate Scholar
“To me, the best plans – much like the best works of art – leave room for questions. We’re all constantly in the process of remaking ourselves and how we see the world. Let’s acknowledge and embrace that uncertainty. It means we’re never stagnant.”
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.
- Nicole Bartels, Teaching Assistant Professor of Political Science
- Danika Myers, Teaching Assistant Professor of Writing
- 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.
- Jameta Barlow, Assistant Director of Writing, Health Policy and Management, and WGSS
- Axel Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Physics
- Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Master's Students
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The Award for Excellence in Graduate Faculty Mentoring is given to a faculty member nominated by graduate students in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. 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.
- Suse Anderson, Associate Professor of Museum Studies
- 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.
- Ellen Yeung, Assistant Professor of Applied Social Psychology