Volume Congratulations, Class of 2023!

Jacques Abou-Rizk Editor-in-Chief

Families from around the country and the world flew in to watch their beloved Class of 2023 seniors graduate in Vassar’s 159th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 21, 2023. Speaking to the graduates is Dr. Margaret “Peggy” Hamburg, daughter of Beatrix McCleary Hamburg ’44, the first self-identified Black woman to attend and graduate from Vassar College.

Before seniors walked the stage, the Senior Class Council (SCC) organized the annual “Senior Week,” in which the Class of ’23 celebrated its final days on Vassar’s campus with a formal, a winery tour, one last late night at the Deece, laser tag and a number of other activities leading up to Commencement on Sunday, May 21, 2023.

There are many things that the students are looking forward to during their last week on campus. Taylor Gee ’23, SCC Secre - tary, said, “SCC has tried a lot of new ideas this year. We put on Vassar's first ever silent disco and created the Vassar Womp Womp dessert with help of our class. This year's Senior Week is special because we exchanged the Booze

Karen Mogami/The Miscellany News.

Cruise for a bottomless brunch at Savona's. People might be more accustomed to the Booze Cruise which gave attendees a beer and a ride in a rowboat. The brunch and unlimited mimosas and Bloody Mary’s will be a lot more fun!”

According to a written statement by Taylor Gee ’23, SCC Secretary, “Senior Class Council shares responsibility for planning Senior Week: the types of events that we put on, when they occur, and executing those plans. I keep us organized by taking a lot of notes. For example, when we did a site visit to the Grandview I was writing down the capacity limit, how the cocktail hour would work, etc.”

Shannon Bender ’23, the SCC Treasurer, said she has been working with the rest of the Council members to manage the budget with suppliers and vendors. She explained, “While all of us on Senior Class Council have some defined responsibilities based on our roles, we really all work together to figure out the specific events we put on as well as the nuances of each event.”

Last year, Commencement reinvited parents and families to campus following the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions. According to Dennis Macheska, Associate Dean of the College for Campus Activities, “Commencement will feel like many commencements felt prior to