Class of 2024 Celebrates Commencement, Mary Washington Milestones

Like most of the Class of 2024, Arden Jones missed out on meaningful moments at the end of her final year of high school.

“We all went into quarantine, so we didn’t have a proper graduation or senior year celebrations,” Arden said. When she arrived at the University of Mary Washington, she made up for lost time, making friends and attending a mini prom after activities resumed. “It was so much fun, dancing with the other first-year students.”

So, Arden didn’t want to miss out on making more memories with her classmates during UMW’s Commencement weekend. Festivities kicked off with the Senior Toast, a longstanding tradition that was revived two years ago, welcoming 2024 graduates into the Mary Washington alumni family. Gathered in the Jepson Alumni Executive Center, the home of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, the graduates reveled in and reminisced about the past four years, while President Troy Paino raised a glass to the class that came together to create community and connections, even during COVID.

Class of 2024 grads pose for a selfie with President Troy Paino outside the Jepson Alumni Executive Center during the Senior Toast. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

The Senior Toast, a longstanding tradition that was revived two years ago, welcomes graduating seniors into the Mary Washington alumni family. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

At the Senior Toast, which was organized by UMW's Office of Alumni Engagement, seniors enjoyed a glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvres provided by UMW Dining. Photo by Karen Pearlman. — At the Senior Toast, which was organized by UMW’s Office of Alumni Engagement, seniors enjoyed a glass of champagne and hors d’oeuvres provided by UMW Dining. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Nearly 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students earned degrees on May 11. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Students pose with President Paino in the Jepson Alumni Executive Center courtyard. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Friends from the Class of 2024 toast to the last four years and their futures. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“Despite beginning your college career with isolation and physical distancing, you formed relationships, got engaged on campus, and made a difference here,” Paino said. “To the Class of 2024, you will always be in our hearts and our history at Mary Washington.”

Many seniors participated in uniquely UMW traditions this year like Devil-Goat Day, Eagle Awards, and Cram Jam, a late-night breakfast held during finals week in the Cedric Rucker University Center.

Ella Peck and Caitlin Moore both looked forward to getting dressed up to attend Grad Ball that evening after the Senior Toast. “I’ve actually liked college much better than high school,” Ella said. “You feel a sense of community at a smaller school like Mary Washington.”

That sentiment was shared by Sebastian Melin and Kapri Robinson, who said they made friends at PRISM prom that they never would have otherwise met. “It’s surreal that we’re graduating,” Sebastian said. “I’m so excited to search for jobs and start this new chapter in my life.”

Sebastian Melin and Kapri Robinson celebrate their graduation and look forward to the future. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Ella Peck and a guest enjoy themselves at the Senior Toast before attending Grad Ball. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

President Paino raises his glass to toast the 2024 graduates. Referencing the University's emphasis on experiential learning, he said that coming to UMW in the midst of a pandemic made the Class of 2024 among the "best prepared graduates in the history of Mary Washington." Photo by Karen Pearlman. — President Paino raises his glass to toast the 2024 graduates. Referencing the University’s emphasis on experiential learning, he said that coming to UMW in the midst of a pandemic made the Class of 2024 among the “best prepared graduates in the history of Mary Washington.” Photo by Karen Pearlman.

2024 graduates raise a glass of champagne as President Paino makes his toast. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

2024 graduates toast to their futures and celebrate becoming Mary Washington alumni. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Alex Lagon planned to fête her future with a night on the town in Fredericksburg with her friends. “There was so much that I wanted to do in 2020, so now I just say yes,” Alex said, as the trio recollected their favorite memories from senior year.

For Eliana Nachman, it was presenting her UMW Honors capstone for the Women and Gender Studies program. Emma Sullivan, a psychology major, said hers was an internship focused on mental health. And Alex said she’d never forget going on a UMW Theatre trip to New York City. “I had heard about it on my high school tour, so it was amazing that I finally had the chance to go.”

Ethan Ropp, who was a first-year student at the start of the pandemic, reflected on how he made the most of his college experience upon returning to campus.

“Getting to the finish line, you start to appreciate all of the hard work you’ve done,” said Ethan, who majored in linguistics while being active in UMW’s Performing Arts Company, club sports, and Jewish organizations on campus. “I finally got to experience Mary Washington and definitely got what I needed from my undergraduate experience.”