Graduates’ Fondest Memories of GW
High-level back-and-forth with faculty. Small dinners with U.S. senators and famed authors. Setting records in the A-10 and rowing practice in the shadows of national monuments. And growth. A lot of growth.
The George Washington University Class of 2024 graduates will be recognized at Commencement on the National Mall on May 19. Before their big day, GW Today asked a number of the upcoming graduates to share their favorite GW memories. This is the second group in the series. Please enjoy these memories from 2024 grads:
Aleena Fayaz
B.A. Political Communication
As a student at the School of Media and Public Affairs, I’ve tried to take full advantage of the opportunities at my fingertips. From the classes I have taken to the professors who have instructed me to the events we hold on campus, SMPA is the heartbeat of D.C., and I have a front-row seat to the show. Lively campus organizations such as GW-TV and WRGW District Radio have given me the opportunity to flex my media muscles in a fun, recreational setting. As executive producer and anchor of GWeek, I confirmed my love for television production and applied class lessons to tangible packages and editing, ultimately leading to my internship at CNN where I would put those skills to the test in my first newsroom experience. Being an SMPA student means being a lifetime learner, one who listens and leads not just in the classroom but wherever they go. As I depart GW in May, I will continue to use my platforms to share the lessons I’ve learned at SMPA. Ones of trust, truthfulness, creativity and authenticity.
Cole Harriston
B.A. Theater and Minor in Anthropology
My fondest memories at GW began with performing in a play for the first time at the university during the pandemic. With each subsequent play I took part in, I learned more about myself as an actor and how integral the whole cast and crew is for a production. In my four years, I was cast as characters as varied as a game-show host and talk-show host, God and a Polish film producer. In one virtual play during in my first year, “There’s Always the Hudson,” I even got to pour Coca-Cola on myself. On camera. Over and over. This past year, with some help from the Theatre Department’s Carl Gudenius and Ann Norton, I interned as an assistant director at the Washington Stage Guild, an experience that expanded my appreciation for D.C.'s vibrant theater scene.
Being part of Phi Sigma Pi, a national honor fraternity, was another connection I appreciated. Being with other frat brothers exposed me to different events and activities like picnics, retreats and campus games. I’ve learned a lot over four years and have grown so much.
Savannah Lambert
M.A. International and Comparative Education
Without a doubt, the most impactful learning experience I had while at GW was the conversations I had with professors about the project I was working on as part of my practicum experience. I believe strongly in the value of learning by doing, and in the second semester of my program, I had the chance to complete and receive credit for a full-time, five-month practicum with an organization in international education. I worked to develop intercultural learning materials for exchange students, and researched how we can better prepare students of diverse backgrounds to feel equipped and empowered during their time abroad. My advising professor and other faculty members were all so giving of their time to meet with me individually and talk through my ideas and challenges. Their input was instrumental in guiding my ideas, asking formative questions and encouraging me to pursue what I was passionate about, and my training materials were implemented for students the following summer. I'm so grateful I was able to combine practical experience with my classroom learning.
Kayla Laws
B.A. English and Africana Studies, Minor in Journalism & Mass Communications
One of the most profound and inspirational experiences I had at GW was being selected to participate in the inaugural Sesno Series event, “A House Divided: How to Survive our Polarized Times, A Conversation with U.S. Senator Cory Booker.” This focus group moderated by Frank Luntz, American political pollster and consultant, was made up of GW students from different backgrounds and political views. It was very informative to hear the different perspectives the students had and produced several “aha moments” and eyebrow-raising exchanges, all of which yielded productive food-for-thought takeaways.
This was a high honor and privilege indeed. Professor Frank Sesno invited me to the dinner after the program where I was able to meet Senator Booker, and sat next to Ms. A’Lelia Bundles, the great granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker. This was an amazing opportunity for me as president of the GW Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (GW ABJ) and the GW NAACP Chapter. This experience would not have been possible without support from Professor Cheryl W. Thompson, Professor Sesno and SMPA Director Peter Loge. I will cherish this “only-at-GW” experience forever, and I am humbled, blessed and grateful for having this opportunity.
Djurdje Matic
B.A. Business Administration with Concentration in Finance, Member of the Swimming and Diving Team
Many opportunities were offered to help me grow! As my time at GW comes to an end, I’ve chosen to reflect on my final race at the Atlantic 10 Championships. It was the last relay, and we had won all nine relays prior. As we convened in the ready room, I said to my teammates, “I want us to win because we are capable of it, but I also want us to have fun and enjoy the racing since this will be the last relay of my college career.” I remember looking at my teammates, both in the pool and out, cheering for us and thinking to myself, "There is no way I can let them down. This race isn’t only for us but for the whole team; we are all in it." My time to jump in came, and I had the best 100-yard freestyle race of my college career. We managed to win the last relay, making us the only team in history to win all the relays for both men and women at A-10s. That moment helped me realize that I owe so much of my success to my family, teammates and coaches at GW who shaped me into the competitor that I’ve come to be.
Yanik Matysiak
M.A. Strategic and Media Communication
As a student and graduate assistant, I experienced GW from a student and staff perspective. Working with the many professors at the School of Media and Public Affairs has always been a joy, but my favorite moment in class was when professor Del Wilber, whom I assisted as a graduate assistant, brought in Axios publisher Nicholas Johnston. His lecture was inspiring, and learning about Axios and their concept of smart brevity was very interesting. This is one of the many “only-at-GW” moments throughout my time in the nation's capital. Besides interacting with the professors, I always enjoyed getting to know my peers in my program who came from all over the world. Interacting with people from different countries and learning more about their cultures and languages is always fun. I was glad my master’s program was so diverse, and I was able to learn many new things outside the academic curriculum.
Bailey Moore
B.S. Public Health, Human Services and Social Justice, Milken Institute SPH
One of the most memorable moments of my undergraduate journey at GW was the privilege of joining the Mighty and Most Dynamic
Mu Delta Chapter of the first Black Greek letter sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. This long-awaited dream became a reality in May 2021, marking a milestone in my first year that words cannot fully capture. The experience of belonging to this historically small but mighty chapter was transformative in countless ways. I am deeply grateful for the invaluable lessons I learned from Mu Delta, the opportunities to serve my community that it provided, and the sisters I have gained. As I prepare to graduate, I carry with me the responsibility to uphold the tradition of excellence that has come out of Mu Delta and continue to further the motto of my organization, “to be supreme in service to all mankind.” I eagerly anticipate the journey ahead, knowing that the seeds of growth planted within me during my time at Mu Delta will continue to flourish as I embark on new endeavors.
Celeste Noraian
B.A. Journalism & Mass Communication and Marketing
Some of my favorite memories at GW have been spent rowing with my teammates on the Potomac River. Watching the sunrise shine through iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument are moments I’ll never forget. Being a student journalist in the nation’s capital has allowed me to share impactful stories all across D.C. One of my special moments was creating a documentary about the Seafarer’s Yacht Club on the Anacostia River, the first Black yacht club in the United States. Highlighting stories of resilience in the heart of such an influential city enriched my time at GW beyond measure.
Braden Renke
B.S. Nursing
Commissioning into the United States Navy Nurse Corps at the George Washington University has held a profound significance for me, representing the culmination of years of dedication to my nursing education and recruitment process and the realization of a lifelong dream. Sharing this pivotal moment with my grandfather, who offered me my first salute, added an indescribable layer of pride to the occasion. Additionally, having the unwavering support of the esteemed GW faculty and the camaraderie of my fellow GW Nursing friends made the experience even more meaningful. Their encouragement and friendship throughout my journey filled me with gratitude, reminding me that I am part of a larger community dedicated to service and excellence. I feel truly blessed to have celebrated such a significant milestone at GW, surrounded by those who have inspired and supported me along the way. As I embark on this new chapter of my career, I carry with me the lessons learned and the relationships forged at GW, knowing that they will continue to guide and inspire me in the challenges and adventures that lie ahead in serving my country and providing safe and compassionate patient care.
