2025 CCAS Graduation Celebrations

With faculty, friends and family looking on, the Class of 2025 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 undergraduates and those receiving their doctoral and master's degrees. 

The university-wide Commencement took place on the National Mall, against the iconic backdrop of the National Monument. Former CCAS criminal justice major Jonquel Jones, BA '19,  a GW basketball Hall of Famer and rights advocate, delivered the keynote address. The Commencement's student speaker was Natalia Anzaldúa, a graduate of the occupational therapy doctoral program in GW's School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Words from Our Speakers

Download the Programs

 

Download Undergraduate Program (PDF)

 

Download Master's Program (PDF)

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Download Doctoral Program (PDF)

Faculty Awards

Robert W. Kenny Prize for Innovation in Teaching of Introductory Courses

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.

• Nabila Hijazi, Assistant Teaching Professor of Writing
• Brad Marshall, Teaching Professor of French

Columbian Prize for Teaching and Mentoring Advanced Undergraduate Students

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.

• Eric Grynaviski, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
• Joel B. Lewis, Professor of Mathematics

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

Award for Excellence in the Mentoring of Doctoral Students

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.

• Holly Dugan, Associate Professor of English

Student Awards

Undergraduate Student Awards

 

American Studies

Elsie M. Carper Prize for Outstanding Senior Research Essay
Terra Pilch-Bisson; Celeste Elsbury

Anthropology

Jane B. Hart Awards for Academic Excellence

• Anthropology: Ibrahim Abdel-Rahman
• Archaeology: Evyn Keller
• Biological Anthropology: Madeline Bramel

Thomas and Ola Reidling Undergraduate Fellowship
Ariana Vega-Werner, Annika Eriksen

Chemistry

ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Award
Jamison Shih

ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry Award
Eva Schneiderlochner

ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Award
Henry Schrecker

ACS Division of Physical Chemistry Award
Paige Montgomery

A.D. Britt Scholar
Massimo Pavan

Alpha Chi Sigma Prize – Highest Academic Record in Chemistry Courses
Rory Smith

American Institute of Chemists Prize – Graduating Undergraduate Student
Abby Ladau

Byrne Thurtell Burns Memorial Prize
Henry Schrecker

Charles and Elma Naeser Scholar
Jack Poland

Chemical Rubber Company Freshman Chemistry Achievement Prize
Eva Schneiderlochner, Henry Schrecker

Chemical Society of Washington Prize
Paige Montgomery

Madeleine Reines Jacobs Scholar
Isabel Gredler, Abby Ladau, Sydney Reiser, Eva Schneiderlochner

William E. Fitch Prize
Henry Schrecker

Corcoran Art History

Laurence Pereira Leite Prize
Ana Echemendia

Outstanding Senior in Art History
Leehe Peleg, Mary Claire Daubendiek, Jovanna Abdou

Arthur Hall Smith Prize for Outstanding Research Paper in 19th/20th Century Art History
Drew Whetstone

Classical and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations

The Classical Association of the Middle West and South Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Classical Studies
Rachel O’Sullivan, Ava Thompson

The John F. Latimer Prize in Classical Studies
Tim Cole

The Romeo Elton Prize in Greek
Lily Haubrich, Grace Zwolinski

The Staughton Prize in Latin
Grace Zwolinski, Rylie Hocker

Yael Moses Prize for Excellence in Hebrew
Jack Arkin

English

Alice Douglass Goddard Prize 
Vivian Ealy

Astere E. Claeyssens Prize
Rachel Salop

Connie Kibler Legacy Prize
Benjamin Connor

Julian Clement Chase
Zoe Carver 
Honorable Mention 1: Jackson Lanzer; Honorable Mention 2: Nick Perkins

Dewitt Clinton Croissant Prize
Samantha Weiner

E.K. Cutter Prize
Brooke Goodman

Natalie Roberts Friend
Amelia Nason 
Honorable Mention: Rachel Salop

Sylvia Speck Prize
Sarah Scherkenbach

Vivian Nellis Prize
Megan Dunnigan

Academy of American Poets University and College Poetry Prize
Clare Lee 
Honorable Mention: Benjamin Connor

East Asian Languages and Literatures

Kim-Renaud Student Award for East Asian Languages and Literature
Phoebe Jones

Geography and Environment

Muriel H. Parry Award 
Flora Roy

Robert D. Campbell Prize
Grace Lemoine, Mia Grossman

Thomas Foggin Award in Environmental Studies
Aurora Zaytoun, Irene Shuk

Geology

George C. Stephens Award
Sophie Campbell

Corcoran Graphic Design

Spirit of Creativity Award
Emily Greenup

Inquiry Through Design Award
Loralei DiFlorio, Hung Nguyen

History

The Charles Clinton Swisher Historical Club Prize
Kamera Butler

The Gardiner G. Hubbard Memorial Prize
Maddie Smith

The Jesse Fant Evans Prize
Samantha Reinstein

Corcoran Interior Architecture

BFA in Interior Architecture Studio Award 
Natalie Vierra

Judaic Studies

The Yael Moses Award for Excellence in Hebrew
Jack Arkin

Mathematics

Ruggles Undergraduate Prize
Paul Bianco, Alex Rankin

Corcoran Music

Barry Manilow Endowed  Prize in Music
Gabriel Figueroa, Cecily Phua

Harmon Choral Award
Brendan Naish, Ava Thompson

Organizational Sciences and Communication

Henigan-Stevens Communication Award
Lois Hargrove

Isaac Davis Communication Award
Kamila Rivera Diaz

Joseph Zeidner Prize for Undergraduate Excellence in Organizational Sciences
Madison Brooke Rosen

Philosophy

Excellence in Service to the Department of Philosophy
Seva Soni

Gauss Prize for Excellence in Philosophy
Seyeon Moon

Physics

Francisco Prats Memorial Prize for Outstanding Student in Theoretical Physics
Andrew Kille (2024)

Gus. W. Weiss Prize for Outstanding Student in Physics
Quinn Stefan (2025)

Peverley Prize for Undergraduate Research
Maxine Alexandre-Strong (2025)

The Berman Prize for Excellence in Experimental Physics
Cole Christensen (2025), Quinn Stefan (2024)

Frances E. Walker Research Fellowship
Amy Georgescu (2024), Quinn Stefan (2023)

Political Science

Howard C. Sacks
Michael Haswell, Hannah Sobran

Joshua Evans III Prize
Maggie Larson, Riley Gamble, Grace Truslow

Lee Sigelman Prize for the Study of Law
Julia Fifer, Emily Francis, Vidya Muthupillai

Religion

Harry Yeide Prize for Excellence in the Field of Religious Studies
Sylvia Cassidy and Claire Gale

Theta Alpha Kappa Undergraduate Achievement Award
Aidan Puchalik

Romance, German and Slavic Studies

Goodard Prize
Grace Brenner

Lawton Prize
Drew Whetstone

Schoenfeld Prize for Excellence in German Studies
Hannah Burton, Alex Gates, Cassidy Macklin

School of Media and Public Affairs

Dorothy and Will Roberts Prize
Catherine Richards, Abigail Brubaker, Claudia Grace Chinowsky, Faith Wardwell

Eaton Foundation Scholarships
Avril Silva

Eaton Service Award
Amelia Magel

Essary Award
Avril Silva, Stephen Li

Hoberman Prize 
Stephen Li, Alex Ashley, Claudia Grace Chinowsky

Manhiem-Sterling Research Prize
Aaliyah Guzman, Stephen Li, Jackson Lanzer, Amelia Magel

Sociology

Hilda Haves Manchester Award
Ava Svolos

Honey W. Nashman Outstanding Senior in Human Services & Social Justice Award
Zoe Larkey and Kaitlyn Burkhardt

Outstanding Senior in Sociology Award
Sophie Maraghi

William J. Chambliss Outstanding Senior in Criminal Justice Award
Michael Barboa

Speech and Hearing Sciences

J.W. Hillis Undergraduate Student Leadership Award
Naiya Vasquez-Castaneda

The Craig Linebaugh Service Award
Charlotte Kaltenbach

Statistics

Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence
Maxwell Beveridge

Corcoran Theatre and Dance

Bradley William Sabelli Design Award
Shatha Abushaikha (Corcoran Exhibition Design MA)

Kevin Peter Hall Memorial Theatre and Dance Award
Charlotte Kim

Maida Withers Impact Award
Ana Arledge

Nancy Diers Johnson Theatre and Dance Award
Alice Doré

The Elizabeth Burtner Theatre and Dance Award
Madison Domanski

The Herbert M. Price Memorial Theatre and Dance Award
Sadie Tucker

The Maida Withers Dance Construction Company Innovation Award
Calie Champoux

The Paul Parady Memorial Theatre and Dance Award
Lady’jordan Matthews-Mason

The Todd Andrew Musser Theatre and Dance Award
Abigail Brubaker

Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Outstanding Contribution by an Undergraduate Major Award
Ye Gang Lee

Undergraduate Feminist Scholarship Award
Nora Goppel

The "Making a Difference" Award
Ye Gang Lee

Graduate Student Awards

 

Anthropology

Zelma Warren Bannister and William Warren Graduate Fellowship
Victoria Rainis, Sarah Bender, Joyce Waweru

Lewis N. Cotlow Research Fund Award
Sarah Bender, Kaija Harlow, Mayar Ibrahim, Ari Khaltarkhuu, Helen Martin, Maria Jose Pelaez Sierra, Nick Rosas

Corcoran Art History

Leite Prize for Outstanding Work by a 2nd-Year MA Student in Art History
Ana Echemendia

Sons of the Revolution Award
Katherine Schrett

Lader Prize for Outstanding Work by a 1st-year MA Student in Art History
Menley Hunt, Ivy Johnson

Art Therapy

The Katherine J. Williams and Prasad Family Multicultural Award
Mira Manalastas, Kailey Williams

The Kwiatkowska Award
Sarah Tovcimak, Sahara Sampson

Chemistry

American Institute of Chemists Prize – Graduating Doctoral Student
Nicole Conte

Benjamin D. Van Evera Memorial Prize – Effective Graduate Teaching Assistants
Abby Bierschbach, Nicole Conte, Christopher Hossack

Data Science

Michael Thacher and Rhonda Rundle Prize for Excellence in Data Science
Parv Bhargava

Forensic Psychology

Academic Excellence in Forensic Psychology
Victoria Tumilty, Maia Fingerlos, Chris Johnson

Forensic Sciences

The Lindsey Marie Ferris Award for Excellence in Crime Scene Investigation
Kelsey Jo Johns

Geography & Environment

Dorn C. McGrath Award
Maya O'Brien, John Lesko

Corcoran Interior Architecture

MFA in Interior Architecture Studio Award 
Emma Cohen

MA in Interior Architecture Studio Award 
Andrea Jimena Fuentes Alvarado

Mathematics

Graduate Student Teaching Award
Wangbo Luo

James H. Taylor Graduate Prize
Wangbo Luo, Philip White

Marvin Green Prize
Wangbo Luo

Corcoran Museum Studies

Nyerges and Gray Fellowship
Jacqueline Soto, Magaret Huggins

Marie Malaro Excellence in Writing Award
Anna Doty, Emily Bolesta

Psychological and Brain Sciences

Richard Walk Dissertation Award
Stacy Post, Luke Herchenroeder

Speech and Hearing Sciences

The Diane Brewer Leadership Award
Gianna Ramirez, Elly Cummins

Statistics

Cornfield Award for Academic Excellence and Engagement
Wensi Chen, Yuting Liu

Minna Mirin Kullback Memorial Prize
Guannan Zhai

Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration

TSPPPA Community Service Award
Jaya Parashar, Christine Wenzel

TSPPPA Leadership Award
Christine Wenzel, Katie Azelby, Tara Miller, Kari Harper, Emma Campbell, Annabelle Farkas

TSPPPA Service Award
Annabelle Farkas, Caleb Callender, Christine Wenzel, Emma Campbell, Jaya Parashar, Kari Harper, Katie Azelby, Michelle Eke, Rebecca Rahman, Samuel Boateng Sarfo, Tara Miller

Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies

The "Service to the Community of Women" Award
Samantha Solomon

The "Making a Difference" Award: A WGSS Public Policy Annual Prize
Annabelle Manzo

Writing in the Disciplines 
(University Writing Program)

Writing in the Disciplines Distinguished Graduate Student Teaching Award
Gunan Zhang