The George Washington University Class of 2025 graduates will be recognized at Commencement on the National Mall on May 18. Before their big day, GW Today asked a number of the upcoming graduates to share their favorite GW memories. This is the second group of vignettes from 2025 grads. Please enjoy their memories:
Matthew Reece Breaux
M.A., International Affairs and International Security Studies
“Amid a plethora of enjoyable experiences during my time as a graduate student at the Elliott School, it's difficult to pick one. One of my fondest memories is when I hosted and moderated a discussion on South China Sea security with experts and government officials from the United States and the Philippines. Seeing my work in planning the panel and developing subject matter knowledge come to fruition was quite satisfying. This experience both bolstered my grasp of Southeast Asian security dynamics and equipped me with valuable connections that I have kept in regular contact with. It also deepened my commitment to shaping a more free, secure and prosperous world through a career in public service. Though this event is just one of many positive experiences I've had at GW, it channeled simultaneously my interests, career aspirations and academic acumen to really stand out.”
Justin Clark
B.S., Public Health
“Over the past four years I have been a student-athlete, a friend, a partner and a trusted person to always bring a smile to someone's face. As a public health student and a swimmer, I have had the privilege of experiencing interesting and monumental moments at GW. I feel lucky to have shared these experiences with people I care about, and I will forever cherish my time as a 50/50 Colonial and Revolutionary. Speaking of mascots, as an athlete a mascot represents us and holds a lot of significance in the way athletics and team spirit is displayed throughout this community. In the same light, our community values of Determination, Commitment and Respect (DCR) are equally as valuable to our sense of belonging. That leads me to say that being a winner of the DCR Best Teammate Award singlehandedly is my favorite GW experience. This recognition means the world to me as it showcases the immense amount of love and care for each and every single person that has been in my life, in and out of athletics. Supporting people in their journey and helping others when they are down is something that I believe everyone deserves. As a member of the swim team, I have gotten to see firsthand the incredible amount of courage and passion that my teammates and I have put into the sport that we love. Although our sport is only 20 hours a week, it is the countless hours outside of the pool where the bonds and connections are made. Where you get to see the reality behind the blood, sweat and tears. So getting the chance to walk up on stage at The Georgeys in front of my friends and peers and receive this recognition was truly an honor. I will remember that moment for the rest of my life!”
Sarah Corbishley
M.B.A
“Only at GW could I study at the heart of international business and regulation, with global institutions and policy hubs just steps from campus. The location gave me access to professors with real-world experience and a front-row seat to the forces shaping our economy.”
Emily Greenup
B.F.A., Graphic Design
“I believe the best part of GW is the people. I have created so many amazing relationships with people from participating in student orgs and classes that I will cherish for the rest of my life. One of my fondest memories is running my first half-marathon through the scenic streets of D.C. during my first semester with a few girls I met on the club running team. Little did I know that they would remain some of my closest friends. I believe I have found my people, and I am so thankful that I decided to come to GW because I cannot imagine my life without them! (This photo is from the Rock ’n’ Roll half marathon in 2021. I’m second from the right.)"
LauraChioma Jones
M.A., Art Therapy
“Narrowing down my plethora of memorable experiences, I’d say that the CCAS Research Showcase and building community were the best parts of my education. As art therapy is a newer field, I initially used the research day to solely share my field and research. However, alongside sharing, I learned and made meaningful connections with new colleagues—which segues into my other amalgamation of memories. Traditionally, each time I reach the end of a chapter, I love to create gifts for my professors and classmates. As I’ve been making these gifts, it's given me the time to reflect on my time here and the importance of connection in and out of the school environment. From going on trips throughout D.C, sleepovers, craft parties, art galleries and in-class celebrations, I’m reminded of the power of community and how I’ve used art to archive the memories and connect.”
Rachel Nelson
Ph.D., Human Paleobiology
“One of my favorite memories from GW is probably the day our department received the shipment of a recently deceased orangutan head to dissect. I am not a neuroscientist (I studied primate behavioral ecology), but because of the way our offices are set up with windows into every laboratory, everyone was able to watch the neuroscientists dissect the head and take samples for analyses. It sounds so morbid, but it was fascinating to watch and reminded me how interdisciplinary my department—and GW—is. And how lucky I am to have gotten my Ph.D. here.”
Alfie Rudnick
B.A., Criminal Justice, Minors in Emergency Health Services (EHS) and Psychology
“My four years at GW have been filled with countless 'Only at GW' moments, but two stand out: working for President Biden’s advance team and serving as an EMT with EMeRG, GW’s student-run EMS agency. On the advance team, I had the opportunity to assist with presidential visits around the U.S. and the world—all while a full-time student, only made possible by the support of my professors. During my junior spring, EMeRG introduced me to a different kind of public service. Encouraged by my roommate/best friend since freshman year, I took GW’s EMT certification class and then joined EMeRG, where I found a passion for emergency medicine, pushing me outside my comfort zone of law and politics.
I never imagined college would lead me to both the White House and the driver’s seat of an ambulance, but GW opened doors I didn’t know existed and helped shape who I am. As I begin law school in the fall, I will always remember GW as a place that fostered both my intellectual and experiential curiosity.”
Avril Silva
B.A., Journalism and Mass Communication
“In my time at GW, I have built such close connections within my field that I never expected to have. The School of Media and Public Affairs has grown to become a second home for me, and all of the faculty, staff and peers within it a second family. They all supported me at my lowest and have given me the skill sets to succeed at the biggest newsrooms in journalism. Without SMPA, I do not know that I would have been able to achieve as much as I have in my time here. I will cherish all of the studio events, late night editing and network building I was able to do there. I can’t wait to come back one day as a proud GW and SMPA alum!”
Ken Wang
B.A., Environmental Studies and Geography
“One of my favorite memories is my journey studying Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I was initially not fond of GIS when I had the intro class, but I developed a growing interest in it as the course progressed. The intermediate GIS class truly ignited my passion for the field. The class was rigorous and taught me a variety of essential GIS applications. However, there were moments when I questioned whether I should continue in the field, particularly after spending hours in front of a screen only to encounter persistent error messages from ArcGIS or losing valuable work due to system crashes caused by Citrix's instability on laptops. Dr. Brendan Hurley's encouragement has changed my perspective on GIS and continues to motivate me. He often said, ‘The greatest difference between you and me is that I have made your mistake a million times,’ and ‘You won't learn much if you have a smooth experience processing data and drawing maps in your lab assignments; these assignments are meant to be challenging.’ GIS also kindled my passion for using GIS to improve maps and software to ensure navigation issues and map inaccuracies never happen to anyone again.”