By Tatyana Hopkins
As the daughter of a George Washington University alumna, Helena Doms grew up hearing many stories about how friends became family at GW, how campus grew to feel like home and other long-lasting memories.
Now, Ms. Doms, a senior graduating from the Elliott School of International Affairs, is reflecting on her own memories at GW.
“The class of 2020 has shared so many incredible moments, and we have a great deal to be proud of,” she said. “Over our years together, we have studied hard, interned and experienced, firsthand, a presidential election and inauguration. Talk about those only at GW moments.”
Ms. Doms, who served as a coordinator of this year’s senior class gift, celebrated the end of her undergraduate career and the philanthropy of her classmates at GW during the virtual Senior Class Toast on Wednesday alongside of members of the class of 2020.
“We have demonstrated our commitment to giving back with our service to GW, D.C. and all around the world,” she said.
An annual tradition, the Senior Class Toast celebrates philanthropy among graduating seniors to areas of the university they care about the most. This year, seniors gathered online to be toasted by university leadership and student coordinators of the senior class gift campaign.
Through the Senior Class Gift Campaign, which encouraged seniors to make sustaining gifts that could be directed to any aspect of the GW student experience, GW seniors allocated donations to departments, schools, scholarships and student organizations across the university.
Jared Levinson, a senior graduating from the Elliott School and a gift coordinator, thanked donors to the senior gift campaign for their support of the GW community.
“You have all made such an incredible impact on the GW campus and the lives of students to come,” he said.
Mr. Levinson said the donors’ generosity supported a range of activities and scholarship funds including the Multicultural Student Services Center, alternative breaks, the Store and the Power and Promise Fund.
Donna Arbide, vice president for development and alumni relations, congratulated the seniors and led the toast.
“To the class of 2020, as you leave GW and pursue your dreams and aspirations, we wish you every success in the world,” she said. “May you always think of GW as your home in the heart of the nation’s capital. We love you. Raise high.”
Patricia Carocci, associate vice president of alumni relations and annual giving, welcomed the class to the GW Alumni Association and said her team has worked over the past two months to virtualize their suite of events and program offerings to keep alumni connected during these uncertain times.
She encouraged the class to look out for virtual networking events and mentoring opportunities in the months ahead.
Malcolm Badger, a graduating Elliott School senior and gift coordinator, wished the class luck on their future endeavors and encouraged them to celebrate the end of their accomplishments with family and friends.
“I know this semester really had a different ending than any of us had anticipated or planned for, but I know our time inside and outside the classroom has made a lot of different memories that we can hold onto forever,” he said.
