Master's Celebration
Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Master's Celebration
Friday, May 16, 2025 • 8:30 a.m. EDT
Charles E. Smith Center
Columbian College master's graduates, along with their families and friends, are invited to attend the in-person Master’s Celebration ceremony on May 16 at the Charles E. Smith Center. Graduates will need to register themselves and their guests in order to obtain tickets.
All graduates are also invited to attend the May 18 University-wide Commencement on the National Mall.
We look forward to celebrating the class of 2025! Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using #CCASOnward.
Livestream
Program and Awards
Download the 2025 CCAS Master's Ceremony PDF to view digitally or print at home. Plus, browse the list of this year's student awardees by academic department.
Our Speakers
Paul Wahlbeck
Dean, Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Political Science
Paul Wahlbeck came to the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences in 1993 as a faculty member in the top-ranked Political Science Department after receiving his PhD from Washington University. In 2011, he became chair of the department and, in 2016, he joined the college's leadership team as a vice dean for programs and research. In 2020, he was named dean of the college, after serving as interim dean for two years.
Wahlbeck’s scholarship centers on Supreme Court decision making, especially strategic interaction among justices. His co-authored book, Crafting Law on the Supreme Court: The Collegial Game, was awarded the 2017 Lasting Contribution Award from the Law & Courts Section of the American Political Science Association. His work has been published in many noteworthy journals, including the American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics and Political Research Quarterly. A holder of a JD from the University of Illinois, he served as an attorney for the Illinois General Assembly and the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation earlier in his career. In addition, he served as director of the Law and Social Science Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) from 2001 to 2003 and, in 2006, was named director of NSF’s Political Science Program.
Sone-Seeré Burrell
Faculty Speaker
Assistant Professor of Art Therapy
Meredith Durand
Distinguished Scholar Speaker
MA in Museum Studies
Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Master's Students
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.
- Desmond Goss, Assistant Professor of Sociology
View Student Awards by Academic Department
GW ALMA MATER
Hail Alma Mater
To thy spirit guiding,
Knowledge thy closest friend
In its strength abiding,
Pledge we fidelity
Ne'er its place resigning,
Hail thee George Washington!