Excited chatter and laughter filled the Grand Ballroom at the University Student Center on Tuesday afternoon as the George Washington University Class of 2025 came together for the annual Senior Class Toast. The event celebrates the hard work students put in, leading them to this moment and the memories they made at GW along the way.
The students enjoyed catching up with their classmates over food and drinks, and the event ended with the seniors raising their glasses in unison during one of the highlights of Senior Week.
Solomon Wozniak, an information systems and technology management major, reminisced about his favorite moments from his time at GW.
“Being manager of GW women’s hockey during my senior year has been one of my most rewarding experiences,” Wozniak said. “Just to be able to see the team grow so much from our sophomore year and now to graduate with these people who went from strangers to some of my best friends has been something else. I’ll always be thankful to GW for that.”
Ashley Gyapomah, a psychology and brain sciences major, and Trinity Williams, an international affairs and Latin American hemispheric studies major, said what their most important takeaway from their time at GW is the community they found at the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC).
“I think my most memorable time was working at the MSSC and finding community there and meeting a lot of my closest friends,” Gyapomah said.
Williams added that her favorite memory was the MSSC’s all-staff bonding trip to Kings Dominion last year. “It was an awesome time. I’ve loved working at the MSSC and making so many friends and family there,” Williams said.
The toast also serves as an opportunity to honor soon-to-be alumni and celebrate graduating seniors who have given back to areas of the university that have made a profound impact on their time at GW.
Senior class gift officer Elina Salian, who is studying economics, thanked students for the donations they have already made to GW. She announced that, so far, the class has raised more than $5,000 from over 600 donors.
“The Senior Class Gift is an annual fundraising campaign that encourages the senior class to give back to the areas on campus that have made an impact on them over the past four years,” Salian said. “Your contributions truly make a difference for the next GW student.”
The program concluded with heartfelt words from GW Alumni Association Executive Committee member Kalpana Vissa, B.S. ’18, M.P.H. ’20. She encouraged the Class of 2025 to remain engaged with the GW community beyond graduation.
“I want to extend my deep excitement and congratulations to each of you on all you've achieved over the last four years. D.C. and the world have undergone so many changes, and you all have been at the center of that,” Vissa said. “As you embark on this next chapter, whether you're staying in D.C., heading back home, or going somewhere globally, just know that in many ways, your relationship with GW is just getting started.”
Vissa spoke of her own journey and the joy of returning to GW as an alumna to give back and remain involved on campus. She emphasized that giving back doesn’t just mean donations. It also means offering time and involvement with on-campus communities.
Finally, she invited the graduating seniors to raise their glasses high.
“I hope you look around and see just how proud you should be of yourselves and of all that you have achieved and all that you’re still destined to achieve,” Vissa said. “Raise high, and congratulations to the Class of 2025."
