THE FINISH LINE 2025, Commencement Magazine from Student Life at WashU St. Louis

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

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Table of contents STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Letter from the editors

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7 Thank you letter Senior interviews 8 Senior survey

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At the 11th hour: Last-minute life-changing decisions

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23 Seniors talk about their professors who mattered the most Years in review 24 42Performances through the years Save Me, Scene!44 48Iconic locations Pop culture moments 49 52 Athlete reflections Last four years in WashU sports 54 55 Coaches’ letters St. Louis pro sports review 60 61 On the value of having senior friends 21 across 62 63Alex’s Crossword Corner Colors of WashU 64 65 Senior goodbye letters WashU weather, and my journey as its founder 70 72Faces of WashU Things to do with parents 74 77Special commemorative section Cover Design Lucia Thomas Layout By Kate Westfall Icons By AnaElda Ramos Amelia Spencer

April 12–July 27 Step into the glamourous world of Roaring, where over 100 stunning works celebrate the fusion of 1920s fashion and automotive design! With vintage clothing, visionary art, and luxury sportscars and sedans, Roaring captures the elegance and innovation of the modern age.

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Presented with generous support from

Additional support provided by the Betsy & Thomas Patterson Foundation, the E. Desmond Lee Family Endowment for Exhibitions, the Edward L. Bakewell Jr. Endowment for Special Exhibitions, and donors to the Roaring Society.

Talbot-Lago, Suresnes, France, active 1936–1959; T150C-SS Teardrop Coupe, 1938; steel chassis, aluminum alloy body; 50 inches x 14 feet 6 inches x 64 inches; Collection of J.W. Marriott, Jr. 2025.47; Photo: Peter Harholdt

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Letter

Dear readers,

from the

Editors

stage, athletics field, or in a research lab,

together the newsroom staff to create a

year, we are excited for returning students

Congratulations on making it to the

and we hope that this year’s Finish Line

special community, and have served as

to have an opportunity to recharge and take

end of the 2024-25 school year, and to our

provides insight into the moments worth

valuable mentors and friends to both of

a well-deserved break. The start of the new

graduates, the end of your time at WashU!

celebrating from your time at WashU. In

us. They have led by example and have left

academic year will be here before we know

The Class of 2025 has left their impact

this magazine, you can find a recap of the

a lasting impression on the Student Life

it, and we’re excited to see you all back on

on WashU, and we will miss you greatly.

biggest news stories from the last four years;

community. Looking forward, as our staff

campus in August.

Those of you who started on campus

reflections from seniors on their favorite

continues to grow, we are excited to work

four years ago were the first class to start

professors, photos of student´s favorite

with our new editorial team to continue

at WashU post-pandemic, navigating a

spaces on campus, and other elements of

telling the stories of WashU’s campus in

campus returning to normalcy. You carried

their WashU experience; and advice on

the year ahead.

on WashU traditions, faced cancellations

how to navigate post-graduate challenges.

of Thurtene and WILD, led campus

We hope this year’s Finish Line magazine

through challenging times, and left just

serves as a guide for your future trips down

in time to not deal with Workday. While

memory lane, highlighting the highs, lows,

graduation can be a bittersweet moment,

and everything-in-between moments that

we are excited to see what all of you do as

have shaped the last four years on WashU’s

you move on to the next chapter of your

campus.

lives.

Best, As we look ahead to the 2025-26 school Riley and Syd

We want to especially thank Student

At Student Life, we’ve reported and told

Life’s graduating seniors, particularly the

the stories of the WashU student body

outgoing Editors-in-Chief, Avi Holzman

throughout this year. You’ve constantly

and Nina Giraldo. They have led this

amazed us, whether on the performance

paper through difficult decisions, brought

PHOTO COURTESY OF SYDNEY TRAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF RILEY HERRON

Student Life Editorial Staff Riley Herron Sydney Tran Editors-in-Chief editor@studlife.com Elizabeth Stump Managing News Editor news@studlife.com Will Rosenblum Managing Scene Editor scene@studlife.com Sylvie Richards Managing Forum Editor forum@studlife.com Matt Eisner Managing Sports Editor sports@studlife.com Kate Westfall Managing Design Editor designers@studlife.com Mia Burkholder Managing Copy Editor

Quinn Moore Managing Newsletter Editor emailedition@studlife.com

Anna Dorsey Kevin Kan Illustration Editors

Dijkstra Liu Jack Yang Web Editors

Alan Knight Managing Multimedia Editor

Jack Warren Beatrice Augustine Amelia Spencer Design Editors

Jenise Fussell Mimi Zhou Juliet Quinsberry Lucia Thomas Eman Zia Designers

Astrid Burns Special Issues Editor Aliza Lubitz Zach Trabitz Investigative News Editors Elizabeth Grieve Zara Shariff Sophia Hellman Senior Scene Editors Amelia Raden Dion Hines David Ciorba Kate Theerman Rodriguez River Alsalihi Senior Forum Editors

Tanvi Gorre Joel Swirnoff Coby Rinke Nina Laser Lauren Smith News Editors Isabella Diaz-Mira Ella Giere Eran Fann Photo Editors Olivia Lee Sara Gelrud Sophie Schwartz Junior Scene Editors

AnaElda Ramos Managing Illustration Editor

Lewis Rand Ian Heft Senior Sports Editors

Christian Kim Eliza Stulman Hannah Much Junior Sports Editors

Bri Nitsberg Managing Photo Editor photo@studlife.com

Samantha Elegant Ava Giere Chiefs of Copy

William Fieni-Thies Lyn Wilkins Junior Forum Editor

Grayce Cooper Managing Social Media Editor

Reeya Sharma Senior Social Media Editor

Tim Mellman Ashwin Nair Newsletter Editors

Hannah La Porte Naomika Raveendran Copy Editors Madison Yue Hadia Khatri Managing DEI Editors Adrienne Levin Coleman General Manager a.coleman@studlife.com Sarah Huff Advertising Sales Manager huffs@studlife.com

Copyright © 2025 Washington University Student Media, Inc. (WUSMI). Student Life is a financially and editorially independent, student-run newspaper serving the Washington University community. Our newspaper is a publication of WUSMI and does not necessarily represent the views of the Washington University administration.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

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Dear Class of 2025, KATE WESTFALL MANAGING DESIGN EDITOR

with examples of what a WashU student

something the rest of us now get to inherit.

could be.

Late-night conversations full of laughter

We are so grateful that it was your class,

and advice and quiet moments of guidance

As you prepare to graduate and begin

from classmates to fellow club members

and support have left a mark on our lives

to experience your last moments of your

and mentors, that we had to look up to.

and WashU as a whole. Your class’s time

undergraduate education, we wanted to

You sat on our exec boards of clubs we

at WashU has been a demonstration of

write to thank you.

are now proud to call our own, organized

how to not just go through WashU but

As sophomores, we have had the

events we have grown to cherish, and kept

grow through it. You have shown us that

pleasure of being students at WashU with

traditions alive that we will now carry on.

being a student at WashU is not just about

you for the past two years. Coming into

Your class was a large part of creating a

classes but also about showing up for the

WashU, we had expectations of what and

WashU community on campus that we

community, defining your purpose, and

who would affect us most. We expected all

have all been lucky to be a part of. In your

caring for those around you.

the typical things — the classes we took,

class, we have seen leadership we asipre to

As you head into your future, scattered

opportunities we engaged in, professors we

equal, kindness we work to emulate, and

across new cities, jobs, and future paths,

had, and fellow sophomores we met.

passion we hope to foster within ourselves.

know that we will be cheering you on

What we did not expect was that the

You have helped shape the way we all

from the sidelines, looking to emulate

upperclassmen we have interacted with

show up for each other and for WashU as

the example you set before us. As you

daily would make such an impact on our

a whole.

cross your own finish line, we will remain

lives. Your class welcomed our entire

You have spent your time here growing

cohort with open arms and provided us

as individuals and building up WashU into

inspired by your path and proud to be following in your footsteps.

So while we say congratulations, more importantly, we say thank you.

Love, Class of

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SENIOR REFLECTIONS LAUREN SMITH NINA LASER ELIZABETH STUMP WILLIAM FIENI-THIES

NEWS EDITORS MANAGING NEWS EDITOR JUNIOR FORUM EDITOR

Miah Emerson

What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Women’s Ultimate Frisbee, MedEd

Major: Biology-Neuroscience

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I will be taking a gap year while I apply to medical school, and during that gap year, I will be working as a medical assistant.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into first-year?

My capacity. I underestimated what I was capable of, either academically or socially. But coming to college and having a lot on my plate all the time has shown me that I’m capable of more than I thought I was capable of.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

Don’t be afraid to try new things and get out of your comfort zone.

Keep an open mind, and don’t take life so seriously. These four years are gonna pass so fast, so make the most of every moment.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

I’m going to say that old man that unicycles and juggles. It’s so impressive, and he just whizzes by.

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR

What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Books and Basketball, Club Rugby, Theta Xi What do you plan to do after graduation?

I plan on staying here at WashU. I got admitted to WashU Law, so I will be here for the next three years.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into first-year?

I didn’t know how well I could adapt to situations. I think coming in freshman year and the changes that came with that, being able to find new friends or succeed in different contexts. I think I definitely feel a lot more confident being able to maybe go to a new city, or being able to be in a new environment, and know that I’ll be OK.

John Rivera What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

I think I saw somebody streaking one time. I think it was Mudd Field and it was around 2 a.m. and they were doing a whole lap. I don’t know what led them to do that, but that’s definitely the craziest thing I’ve seen on campus.

Major: Political Science Minor: AFAS

What’s something you wish you still had time to do?

Honestly, I wish I got to know a lot more people than I did. I feel like, definitely in the first two years I kept to a full circle, and these last two I’ve been able to branch off a little bit more, so I have been meeting new people and being in places that I didn’t think I would be, and certain communities on campus as well.

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Jeme Chavez Major: Environmental Engineering

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Embody, Alpha Psi Lambda, SHPE, Run Club What was the most meaningful part of your college experience?

I think there was a lot of cultural self-discovery, which is really interesting, because I do come from a town where the majority of the people are like me — everyone is Mexican American. Because my culture was so accessible through all of my peers, I didn’t really make an effort to explore more of it. And then I came here, and the demographic is so different, and I found myself really longing for that same accessibility that I had when I was back home. And because it wasn’t there anymore, I had to put myself out there and search for that.

My fraternity, Alpha Psi Lambda, is a Latinx frat. Joining that, [I] was able to hear a lot of different perspectives on being Mexican American, and then additional Latinx cultures that I knew nothing about. I think the only other Latinx ethnicity I had heard about was Puerto Rican or Salvadorian. Also, I watched the cultural performance for Carnaval, and I’ve never seen something like that, even though, like I said, my community is mostly Mexican Americans. We never had a cultural performance like that.

And I watched it my sophomore year. My junior year, I tried out for the show, and I was able to be a part of that. A lot of that was things I didn’t think I needed to find out about myself, but learning it was really fun and enjoyable, and I really want to learn a lot more

now. I don’t even want to go into environmental engineering, I think I want to keep studying Chicano culture.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

I’m going to have to say the responses to the protests last spring, because I was sort of a part of that, and it was really jarring and disappointing. And I think that was something that I wasn’t expecting from WashU, because up until then, all of the messaging I felt like I was getting from the University was very positive. Up until that point, I felt like I was supposed to be here, and WashU wanted me to be here, and then that shifted my entire perspective. Now I just don’t feel the same about it, so that was a pretty crazy moment.

What was your favorite academic experience?

I always end up saying my public speaking class. It was a really small class and met two days a week. The reason I really liked it is probably because I really like talking, but also because it was a small class, we got close to one another, and it was very easy to feel comfortable speaking up there. I grew to really respect other people that I was speaking in front of. Every time I had a topic for an impromptu speech or a prepared speech, I really, really wanted to share something important to me, so that they could learn more about me and where I come from. And I thought that [it] was really cool that I could form such deep connections with people in a public speaking class.

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Raghav Rastogi Major: Organization and Strategic Management Minor: Business of Entertainment

What organizations were you involved in on campus?

COCO, AKPsi, Pikers A Cappella, Native Living (band)

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR What do you plan to do after graduation?

I’m going to be moving to Chicago. I have a job at Kraft Heinz, doing some marketing.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

I think the advice that I would give to an incoming freshman would be to be a beacon of irrational love for you, those around you, but also mainly yourself. So learn to love yourself in many ways.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

So my freshman year — do you know [redacted]? Have you heard of [redacted]? So he was just like an absolute menace to society, and he was on the fourth floor, I lived in Dauten, and I come outside on the balcony and I just see a stream of piss come down and then I see him throw a chair onto the South 40 road. Two minutes later, I hear WUPD and my RCD walking up.

What was your favorite academic experience?

My favorite classes have been Afro-Asian Disconnections and

Connections in Contemporary Culture and Music. [Those were] really cool. Roots of Ferguson was super informative. I’m in this controversies to education class, which I’ve really enjoyed. I think the most stimulating educational experiences have been the ones where I’ve had freedom to do what I want for my projects, primarily in writing courses, which is interesting because I’m not really a big writer, but my final college essay for college writing essay, I really enjoyed. It was on the first wave of feminism in Hinduism, so that was really neat.

What’s the thing you’ll miss the most about this school?

I’m definitely gonna miss the people. I’m trying to use as much time as I can now to go on sidequests. I know a lot of people say “say yes to everything,” but I want to say yes to things I just would have never done. I’m learning how to juggle or [going to] churning club, you know, just side-quests.

Congratulations, 2025!

Class of

From: Dr. G and the Division of Student Affairs

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Victoria Afe Major: Biology-Neuroscience Minor: Global Health

Kidest Eshetu Major: Biology

What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Unending Praise A Capella, African Student Association (ASA) What do you plan to do after graduation?

After graduation, I’ll be applying to medical school, getting in, hopefully, and I’m still deciding whether during the application process if I’ll do some clinical job, a random job, or some research just to beef up the resume.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into firstyear?

I am a non-confrontational person. I think I discovered that with my roommate freshman year, you know, we live in this small space together, I had never had a roommate, I’m the only girl in the family so I always had my own room. Whenever there would be conflicts, I was like “Okay, I don’t know what

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR to do here. Like, what? What is this? I don’t know how to handle this,” and so I just wouldn’t say anything. I would keep it to myself and eventually we stopped being friends. But I’ve since learned that when people do things that bother you, you have to tell them, because then they won’t know, and they won’t have the chance to repent.

What’s something you wish you still had time to do OR what’s the thing you’ll miss the most about this school?

Definitely my friends, honestly.

I really wish after classes and finals are over, they force us to stay on campus three extra weeks just so we can hang out and do orientation like we had coming into WashU and have that whole week just to bond with our friends for the last time. Like a “Bear Endings,” another time to just do summer camp activities and reminisce on how far we’ve come.

What organizations were you involved in on campus?

WashU Minority Association of Premedical Students (MAPS), Campus Y (Project Smile), and a Peer Coach in the Learning Center What do you plan to do after graduation?

I’m taking a gap year, probably finding a clinical job back home.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into firstyear?

When you come in, be curious about the different kinds of majors there are. But also look into different grants and scholarships that they give you before coming in, because I didn’t know about some of them. Reach out to a lot of people and don’t be afraid to say hi and make connections and

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR stuff like that, because so many people here were so welcoming, so nice, even though I was nervous. You’ll find your people eventually.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

This whole situation at Olin happened with some threat or something, and I still had to go to class. My teacher was like, it was fine but I was not okay in that class. Everyone was freaking out. I was like, “Oh my goodness.”

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Isaac Anderson Major: Data Science Minor: Political Science What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Rock Climbing Club

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR

What was the most meaningful part of your college experience?

My experience as a freshman in the rock climbing club was very meaningful. I met some really great people who taught me a lot about the sport itself, and took me around the Midwest to go rock climbing, and that was a really good jump. And then they left after that year, and I was able to meet some new people, that was great. And I’ve connected with the community through it as well, by

going to the gym and being there and hanging out with the kids. The kids — they’re all high schoolers, except for a couple of them — but that’s been a door to St. Louis.

What was your favorite academic experience?

Right now, I’m taking a great class about the Bible as literature. I’ve never read [it] before. I heard [the class] got great reviews, and so I was compelled to take it. I’m enjoying that a lot. It’s taught by Professor Thomas, she’s great. I also took some great political science courses.

Asher Schwartz Major: Economics Minors: Design, Business of the Arts

What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Delta Sigma Pi (DSP), Beta Theta Pi, Club Water Polo, Career Center, Business of Arts Club What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into firstyear?

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR I was very introverted in high school and very self-conscious and not very comfortable in my own skin, so I struggled a lot with maintaining deeper friendships and just putting myself out there more. I think coming here gave me much more of an opportunity to do that. And I realized that I think my version of myself at my best is

someone who’s very outgoing and can bring people together, which is not something I ever really would have known about myself until COVID and WashU. What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

Say yes to everything and try everything. My successes here have come from taking risks and putting myself in uncomfortable positions.

That was not something I did in high school, so I have a very special appreciation for that. Also, school isn’t as fun if you’re not involved in [a] billion different things, and maybe it’s just because of how ambitious and sweaty everyone here is, but I think it makes for very good experiences.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

Jeez, I saw someone get put in handcuffs at Bauer recently. It wasn’t like a big deal. This was a couple weeks ago — I don’t know if he was not supposed to be there, or what happened.

What’s something you wish you still had time to do OR what’s the thing you’ll miss the most about this school?

I think hanging out with the younger kids, especially the juniors, because I was really close with a lot of people two grades above me and then more selectively, close with people immediately in the grade above me, and then really, really close with a lot of people in the grade below me, especially through water polo and my fraternity and also my business fraternity. Their lack of presence was felt a lot this semester, and I really wish I had more time with them specifically. But also that was a good reminder I will 1,000% miss the amount of people [I] see in passing every single day here. I think that kind of gives me a lot of life blood, especially when I need it. If you’re having a down day or something, you can at the very least count on the fact that you will run into somebody that you know on campus. I don’t know if that [will] be the case in real life, I hope it will.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

CENTRAL WEST END: at the heart of it all

Congratulations Graduates! It’s time to celebrate. Shop, dine & explore St. Louis’ Central West End — located just minutes away from WashU. For a full neighborhood directory, visit www.cwescene.com

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Lily Taylor Major: English-Creative Writing Minor: Political Science What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Student Life Newspaper, Women’s Ultimate Frisbee What do you plan to do after graduation?

I am thinking about doing AmeriCorps for a year in literacy or creative writing programs, and then applying for jobs in publishing or journalism.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into first-year??

I feel like I learned that I really like talking to people. I thought of myself as an introvert in high school, but I think doing journalism showed me that I just really love meeting people that I don’t know and talking to strangers.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

People probably give this advice a lot, but not limiting your career path and interests. Just take every opportunity, even if it seems like it doesn’t align with the job you want, or has anything to do with your major or activities you’ve done in the past.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

Probably a swarm of 10,000 bees.

What’s the thing you’ll miss the most about this school?

I’ll definitely miss my friends the most.

I also think there are genuinely a lot of classes and things to do in St. Louis that you need way more than four years to do.

I’ve learned that St. Louis is a really cool place, so I’m sure there’s lots I would like to explore.

ERAN FANN | PHOT O EDITOR

Avi Holzman Major: English-Creative Writing Minors: Religion and Politics, Organization and Strategic Management What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Student Life Newspaper, Men’s Ultimate Frisbee What was the most meaningful part of your college experience?

I think probably the people I’ve met.

I only knew one person coming into WashU, and I do not think that is the norm for a lot of people. So graduating with a really tight group of friends, and a community that I can reach out to is really awesome. And I think a lot of those friendships have been made pretty organically and authentically, and each come with their own goofy stories, which is also really nice.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into first-year?

I came in as a declared business major in Olin, and I learned pretty quickly — actually, not that quickly — that that was not what I was interested in, and that I actually liked reading way more than I thought I did, and I really liked writing way more than I thought I did. That’s a little surface level, but it’s kind of a big thing.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

Just be yourself. You’re gonna be here for four years, and people are going to form judgments of you. So you might as well stick to what’s most comfortable and let the people judge you, for better or for worse.

I’ve done that, and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

Seeing the encampment and Jill Stein getting arrested. Also, I still think about seeing Sonia

Sotomayor my freshman year, and that was completely nuts. I shouldn’t remember this part of the talk, but I will never forget how after it ended, she said, “No one’s allowed to move until I exit the building.”

What’s the thing you’ll miss the most about this school?

I think I’ll miss everyone being so close together. Part of why I love coming to campus is that you naturally bump into people, and that’s awesome.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Mina Rohde Major: Anthropology Minor: Biology

Cristian Gomez Saavedra Major: Biomedical Engineering

ANNA CALVO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Medicine and Society Ampersand (MedSoc), WashU KDSAP (Kidney Disease Screening and Awareness Program) What are some things that have changed about WashU since you first arrived?

Dining immediately comes to mind. I mean, the prices are very different from freshman year, and the food is very different.

Especially the meal plans, they don’t go as far as they used to.

Now, with all this construction with Mudd Field and that whole area, you have to take different ways to go to class, which is pretty weird.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random firstyear student?

I think a lot of upperclassmen know a lot of stuff, and have been through the wars. Asking for advice with what electives to take would have been super helpful. I maybe wouldn’t have been in this really hard French elective I took had I asked someone for advice.

What’s the thing you’ll miss the most about this school?

I will miss the people and having access to all the professors and researchers. I also really like St. Louis, I think it’s a really interesting city that does not get enough credit.

ANNA CALVO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Robotics, Alpha Psi Lambda, Biomedical Society What was the most meaningful part of your college experience?

The people. I don’t know if that’s a cop out answer, but I met my best friends [at WashU].

It was great. And I [think] that’s what is most important beyond good academics.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I did a summer research program and I did research during the semesters. I don’t know if that’s what I’m cut out for now. I’ve been applying to

industry jobs. I want to go into industry after graduation and work at a medical engineering company … but I’m still figuring that out.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen on the WashU campus?

I’ve seen a squirrel yelling. I didn’t know squirrels could yell with all their might, and he was just on a tree facing where he was climbing, but he stopped climbing and he was yelling. And I was like, “Is that an alarm?” But it was a squirrel with his mouth open, yelling.

I thought it was a dream, but I just kept going to class.

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Zaira Najera Rodriguez Major: Political Science and Latin American Studies Minor: Spanish

ANNA CALVO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Programming Assistant for Campus Life, Programming Coordinator for Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) What do you plan to do after graduation?

I’m pre law, but I’m taking a gap year, and I’m hoping to work at some immigration law firm, either as a paralegal or just helping in any way I can because, obviously, they really need it right now.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you

didn’t know coming into firstyear?

That I can actually do things by myself. I have a really close family, and we depend on each other a lot. I’m also the first one to go out of state [for college] in my family. Coming here I was like, “I don’t know if I can do this,” and it’s actually been really nice. I am somebody else, outside of my family, even though I love my family.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

To be more outgoing and to not say no to everything just because

you’re scared of meeting new people. I think I held myself back a lot freshman year just because I didn’t know a lot of people.

What’s something you wish you still had time to do?

I wish I had more time to just relax and not stress about school and actually enjoy my time with my friends. I think the first few years it was very school focused, which obviously is what I came here for. But I think I would also really like to explore St Louis more. I feel like I’m finally starting to do that, but it’s the last semester and why am I just doing this now.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Estephanie Salazar-Estrada Major: Psychology

ANNA CALVO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER What organizations were you and I had so many sleepless nights involved in on campus? when it was never necessary. It’s Emergency Support Team (EST), never worth all that.

RUF (Reformed University Fellowship), Annika Rodriguez What’s something you learned Scholar, Cycling instructor at the about yourself in college that you Rec didn’t know coming into firstyear?

What do you plan to do after I don’t need to plan so much. graduation?

College is a time where you can I’m hoping to move to Denver just spontaneously make plans, and get a job, just because I and you don’t always have to grew up here [St. Louis]. I love maximize your time. And you the Midwest, and I think I’m know, if the work doesn’t get done, gonna try to come back for med that’s okay because these are the school, but I kind of want to be memories that will stay with you somewhere different for a year. So, for a lifetime.

[I’m] taking a gap year before med school.

Favorite academic experience?

This is kind of nerdy but I really What’s your advice to your past enjoyed this Biomedical Ethics self, or what advice do you have class I took my sophomore year. to give to a random first-year It was so fun. We talked about student? kidney and organ transplants and It’s not that deep. It’s just never I really liked it to the point where that deep. And like, it’s all I’ve become really interested in gonna get done, so don’t stress nephrology, which is the study out about it. I think that I was of kidneys, and I kind of want to always panicking about different specialize in it. situations with friends, or different situations when it came to school,

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Hanin Ghanam Major: Biology

What organizations were you involved in on campus?

GlobeMed, Civic Scholars Program What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into first-year?

I’m a lot more resilient than I thought I was. I feel like when I first started taking classes, especially the premed classes. I was always so afraid that I wasn’t going to do well, or I kept thinking, “Oh, there’s no way I’m going to pass Gen Chem,” but I did, and then I was like, “Oh, Orgo is going to weed me out me out,” and then it didn’t, so I just feel like I kept learning that I’m definitely capable of more than I thought I was, and that we’re all capable of doings things that are difficult.

ANNA CALVO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

My advice is, especially if they’re premed, with all due respect, take

a deep breath, calm down, it’ll be okay. When I was a freshman, it felt like the end of the world when I got my first B in college, or, I didn’t do as well as I thought. We all have this experience being at WashU where we’re all probably coming from the top percentage of students from our high schools, and then you’re now at a place where everyone is that person.

Everyone really worked their way to get here, so it feels so hard when you’re kind of used to things going well, and then maybe they don’t go so well. It takes you time to learn things, but that’s not the end of the world. When I was a freshman, I was always thinking about Chem and Calc and Physics and everything, and now looking back, I barely remember anything from Gen Chem. It didn’t ruin me. So I would say just recognize that grades are important, but they are not everything, and it’s important to do well, but not at the expense of your mental health.

Catherine Ferro-Manzanares Major: Global Studies and Spanish because I met both of my roommates through the program. It was just a very meaningful community to be a part of, because everyone’s so hard working and so talented, and wanting to give back to the community. It’s always nice to be around people who have a similar interest. We go to camp every summer for a weekend, and it’s always nice to spend time with them.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I am moving to New York City to work as a paralegal at a law firm.

ANNA CALVO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER What organizations were you What was the most meaningful involved in on campus? part of your college experience?

Uncle Joe’s, Annika Rodriguez I think my most meaningful Scholar, Employee at the Law [experience] was probably the School’s Career Center Annika Rodriguez program

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into first-year?

I think [I learned to] value alone, intentional time, and self care. In college you’re surrounded by so many people, and you’re doing so

many fun activities, but it’s always nice to spend some time with yourself, either watching a TV show, or doing something just for your own personal reflection and that was something nice during college, learning how to set those self-care times for myself.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

Don’t stress too much about [your] major. It’ll come naturally at the end of the day. It’s just a major. Take the classes that you want. I think that was my biggest stressor. Have fun at WashU and spend lots of time with your friends.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Bekah Dage Major: Neuroscience Minor: Writing

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR What organizations were you involved in on campus?

Alpha Iota Gamma (AIR), Synapse, String Theory (Crochet Club) What was the most meaningful part of your college experience?

I have a lot of health conditions, and the people here, they’ve dropped their classes to come and help me. I don’t feel like many 18- to 22-year-olds would just give up their day to sit with me in the hospital and stuff like that, but the people here would, and it’s not even my close friends. It’s like just people I know from AIR and things have completely been there for me when I needed it, and meeting very genuine and kind people.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I’m going back home to Indiana and I’m going to take a gap year and then I’m not going to apply next cycle to medical school.

During my gap year, I have a job in clinical research.

What’s something you learned about yourself in college that you didn’t know coming into first-year?

This is kind of silly, but I’ve learned I’m able to be a slacker, and that’s OK. My high school self was so much of a perfectionist and incapable of accepting defeat, even when it was probably healthier for me to do so. In college, I learned a lot about balance, and I learned that I’m okay with being a bit of a failure if it means that long term, I’ll be healthier and happier.

And also it’s kind of good to fail, because you learn things about yourself while building and you learn things about the world, and you learn about how to advance and be a better person through your failures. So if you’re always doing things perfectly, you’re never going to learn anything.

What’s your advice to your past self, or what advice do you have to give to a random first-year student?

What I always tell people is, it’s not that deep, you’re here for four years and you’re going to realize that it’s a short amount of time, but it feels longer, because looking back, you’re not the same person. The person I was when I came in was very worried about small things, and looking back, it’s just kind of ridiculous to think about the things I freaked out about, because life has a way of working out for you. Now I just tell myself when I start to freak out, it’s not that deep.

What was your favorite academic experience?

I’ve actually enjoyed every class I’ve been in here, even the ones I shouldn’t enjoy. I love seeing teachers get passionate about what they’re teaching. I remember being in Gen Chem and seeing Professor Daschbach talk about the electron and being so excited about teaching, and it’s been like that for most of my classes. I think the one I would recommend the

most to people is Feminist Health Studies. I took it last semester, and there were, sadly, not very many men in the class. I think we could change that. It was my only WGGS class I took, and I was so bummed that I was graduating, because it was so great and you learned not just about women’s experience in health, but many different identities and the way that those intersect, and it made me think differently about my own experience as a disabled woman but also about the experience of other people. I also loved Greek Mythology, I randomly took it because, at the time, it was when the new Percy Jackson series came out. And I was like, I need to brush up. I took it with Professor Keeline and it was just a good time. I never felt stressed. I looked forward to the class every day. I learned something new. I find myself bringing that class up all the time, and I feel like it’s the class where, in like 30 years, I’ll be like, “Oh yeah, I took a Greek mythology class in college.”

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Based on 77 in? u o y e ool ar

sch t a h W ArtSci x Sam Fo

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Are you s taying in STL after grad?

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74%

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• • • •

Girls’ Fiction Roots of Ferguson Weightlifting Mathematics and Music

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Illustration by An aElda Ramos Page design by Bea Augustine

ut o b a s g Feelin ion in at u d a r g ord: w e n o talgic • Nos nal tio • Emo weet ers • Bitt ion fus • Con ef • Reli m do • Free ensive reh • App t lan • Cha • Oof

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Have you peed on the bunny?

Yes No

• • • • • •

Something you’d tell your first-year self:

5% 95%

Do what you want and don’t think about what others think about it.

Go do everything you can. Immerse yourself in every club.

It’s okay to be stressed, but I promise everything will work out.

You’re going to meet some of the most important people in your life so soon.

It’s going to go nothing how you thought it would go and that’s OK. Go to office hours!! It’s okay to ask for help.

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

At the 11th hour: Seniors share lastminute life-changing decisions NICOLE BACKAL STAFF WRITER

College is a time of decision-making, from declaring your major to deciding which of your friends’ a cappella concerts you’re going to. Choices pile up over the span of four years; some can change our lives when we least expect it. Maybe you are stuck between a night out or finishing an assignment, or maybe you’re deciding how to balance adding a new club to your never-ending agenda of extracurriculars. For every time you were on the fence about something or made a lastminute move, there is a senior out there who’s been in your situation before.

College is a time of decision-making,

Sophie Jeffers, a senior majoring in

from declaring your major to deciding

Political Science and PNP, had a simi-

which of your friends’ a cappella concerts

lar experience to Perlin when she got the

you’re going to. Choices pile up over the

opportunity to stay in St. Louis for the

span of four years; some can change our

summer.

lives when we least expect it. Maybe you

“I had gotten one [internship] that was

are stuck between a night out or finishing

unpaid, and it would allow me to be home.

an assignment or maybe you’re deciding

But then I got a different opportunity, the

how to balance adding a new club to your

Pershing Fellowship, which was here, and I

never-ending agenda of extracurriculars.

almost didn’t do it, because I felt bad leav-

For every time you were on the fence about

ing my mom at home,” Jeffers said.

something or made a last-minute move,

Jeffers

added

that

the

Pershing

there is a senior out there that’s been in

Fellowship helped her define her career

your situation before.

goals and find herself in the St. Louis

Senior Halima Larhdiri shared a big deci-

community.

sion she made at the end of her junior year.

Although choosing a career path is a sig-

“Like a lot of people here, I got sucked

nificant part of college, smaller decisions

into the little pre-med bubble,” Halima said.

also shape your life even when you least

“On a whim, I had some meetings [with]

expect it. Hannah Jon, a senior majoring in

some mentors of mine, and I met with

American Culture Studies, made a last-min-

admissions here at WashU’s grad school,

ute decision that paved her path at WashU

and I was trying to assess my options. In

before she even stepped foot on campus.

the 11th hour, I decided that I wanted to get a master’s in Public Health.”

“[I was] like, ‘What is the Ampersand Program thing?’ So I ended up registering

Larhdiri is not the only senior who

for [an] Ampersand Program called the

changed her career path at the last minute.

Global Citizenship Program,” Jon said. “I

“I was working as an undergradu-

got really close [to] the people in the class,

ate research assistant in a lab, and the PI

so my best friends now in my senior year

[principal investigator] from that lab had

are folks that I met through that class. It’s

emailed me and said there’s an application

really cool, because these are people that

[for a lab] due at the end of this week,” Eli

I honestly wouldn’t have met because we

Perlin said. “So I filled out the application,

would have been part of such different cir-

kind of assuming I wouldn’t get it because

cles if not for that Ampersand Program.”

it’s like less than a week to turn this all in,

After four years at WashU, seniors can

and then I got it. I ended up staying in St.

guide us past our toughest choices. Whether

Louis for the summer.”

you are doubting your career choices, hes-

Perlin is a Biology major who had been

itant about a summer away from home, or

on the pre-medical track for most of his

skeptical about taking a class, reaching out

academic career. His summer in St. Louis

to graduating students can help. Nothing

allowed him to reconsider what his options

is ever set in stone, and you can always

were.

change your path.

“That made me decide and change from

“It’s never too late to realize that you

just kind of not knowing what I wanted to

want to do something else, and it’s never

do in Bio, to deciding that I wanted to get

too late to realize that you have so many

an MD/PhD,” Perlin said.

different options,” Larhdiri said.

“It’s never too late to realize that you want to do something else, and it’s never too late to realize that you have so many different options”

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Rated their professors: Seniors talk about their professors that mattered the most

23

SOPHIE SCHWARTZ

Professor Younasse Tarbouni, who teaches

a Finance major through Olin. Although

professors who have low ratings and those have

JUNIOR SCENE EDITOR

Intermediate Arabic I and Third-Level Arabic I.

both majors place an increased emphasis on

been some of my favorites. I really believe the

“I randomly took Arabic III with some of my

quantitative studies, Henderson most enjoyed

WashU course evals are more helpful in picking classes.”

As seniors reflect on their past four years and

friends my junior spring. I didn’t do any of the

Public Finance, an Economics elective she took

the various classes that have made a difference

prerequisites. I just speak Arabic at home with my

with Dr. Marcus Berliant. The course focused

in their intellectual journeys, they shared the

family, so I was just like, ‘Why not?’ And honestly,

on the impact of economic rationale on the

names of professors who have challenged

I would say he was my favorite professor because

government. Per Henderson, this class stuck

SSenior Brian Sweeney is a Political Science

them as individuals, expanded their circle of

of how much I enjoyed the class,” Larhdiri said.

out because of Berliant’s ability to foster a class

and Digital Humanities double-major. His

community.

passion for digital humanities grew through Dr.

consciousness, and helped them transform into adept and diverse thinkers. These six professors

Tarbouni also offered Lahdiri the opportunity to connect with her heritage and culture.

have enriched the lives of graduating seniors

“He is Moroccan, and my family’s Moroccan,

and have made indelible marks on the WashU

so it was nice to find a small Moroccan

community at large. Seniors also emphasized

community and a piece of home away from

the importance of taking classes in different

home,” Larhdiri said.

departments to encounter professors with novel thoughts and new perspectives.

Senior Alice Gottesman is an Art History and American Culture Studies double-major. Both majors have empowered her to think critically

Humanities. Her care for student success and

very communal experience,” she said.

flexibility were pivotal to his experience.

Berliant’s desire for his students’ success also

“She took a real interest in each individual student. There was a lot of one-on-one time and

“When we were struggling, he would go all

the ability to explore different avenues that weren’t

the way back to the basics, so that was really nice because professors usually have a set schedule

Many of the classes he took throughout his

classes that are outside of your line of study just

they stick to. Also, he really wanted everyone to

four years at WashU were unique to his particular

makes college so much more fun and interesting,

succeed. Most professors don’t execute their class

interests — something he thinks all students

and it just gives you a breather,” Larhdiri said.

in a way that supports this mission, but he did,

should act on.

your

major,

which I really appreciated,” Henderson said.

Dr. Carly Wayne:

greater community. Through her American

Senior Sophie Jeffers is a Political Science

Culture Studies major, she encountered Professor

and

Elizabeth Eikmann, who offered a new lens with

double-major.

which to look at and understand current events

Science department, she discovered an interest

through her classes Current Affairs and Critical

in political psychology through Professor Carly

Issues in American Culture and Archiving STL.

Wayne’s various courses. Jeffers’ favorite classes

“She was really interested in bringing the

were Psychology of War and Terrorism and

current world into the classroom. She helped me

Counterterrorism, where she worked with a small

think more critically about the news I was looking

group on research proposals and got immense

at and how I digested information,” Gottesman

feedback from Wayne.

Psychology-Neuroscience-Philosophy Through

WashU’s

Political

necessarily central to the class,” Sweeney said.

“Don’t be afraid of the classes’ weird titles and

As someone devoted to carefully curating her

weird names. If something sounds interesting, go

class schedule, Henderson offered a piece of

for it. That’s what class shopping is for,” Sweeney

advice to WashU students: “Do not always go

said.

off of RateMyProfessor[s]. I’ve had classes with

Congratulations, WashU Class of 2025!

“She’s been a really big help to me with

Eikmann’s field of study encompasses what

learning what academia is like and what political

Gottesman believes is pivotal to the college

psychology research truly is. She’s been a great

experience, venturing into explorative humanities

mentor and has helped shape my interest in

courses.

political psychology,” Jeffers said.

“Don’t

people. We would laugh during class and it was a

Larhdiri

from

about her surroundings, social issues, and the

said.

Gabrielle Kirilloff’s class, Introduction to Digital

discovered, was an impactful experience. “Taking

disconnected

Elizabeth Eikmann:

“It was a smaller class so you got to know

stood out to Henderson.

The value of trying a class in a department

Dr. Gabrielle Kirilloff:

classes.

Continuing on her political science research

American Culture Studies allows you to

push

away

humanities

path, Jeffers worked with Wayne to study

customize your experience [with] lots of

the rhetoric used in white nationalist tweets.

interdisciplinary courses. And Art History is all

Throughout her time at WashU, Jeffers has

the way down on the East End [of campus] —

been exposed firsthand to the value of fostering

a lot of Arts & Sciences students never make it

relationships with professors and hopes all

down there,” Gottesman said.

students will do the same.

“If you take a little time to learn about what

Younasse Tarbouni

your professor is interested in, you’ll probably find

Senior Halima Larhdiri is a Chemistry major

out that they’re interested in something similar to

looking to get a master’s in Public Health post-

you, which gives you an avenue to talk to them,”

graduation. Although she has thoroughly enjoyed

Jeffers said.

her time in the natural science departments, interacting with a wide spectrum of professors,

Marcus Berliant:

one of the ones that has made the biggest

Senior Sydney Henderson is an Economics

difference throughout her time at WashU was

major in the college of Arts & Sciences and

Graduating with a minor in religion and politics

Lauren Antonowich Julius Bestman Jackson Camarata Emmett Campbell Avi Holzman

Student assistants

Lauren Antonowich Alex Dalal Emma Hammerschmidt Sarai Steinberg Thank you for making us a part of your story–all our best wishes for your continued success and happiness!

24

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Four years in review First Year Jamila Dawkins and Julia Robbins Former Managing Forum Editor and Former Editor-in-Chief

With the advent and wide availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, Washington University’s fall semester opened with the first in-person convocation in two years, signaling a larger return to predominantly in-person classes and activities. However, despite our anticipation of a semester “more like college,” ever-shifting and unclear

COVID-19

safety

guidelines

characterized the semester with much of the familiarities of the ones before it: masks still on, Zoom still a common option and uncertainty and COVID-19 anxiety still plaguing our interactions.

More

in-person

activities

combined

with a record-size first-year class left the campus buzzing, and in some cases,

ELLE SU | FORMER PHOTO EDITOR

overwhelmingly busy. Within the context

Sonia Sotomayor speaks to WashU in Graham Chapel.

of the larger national “good job shortage,”

some students staged an academic strike

health of students on campus and decrease

the sudden swell of student activity left

in solidarity with Muslim students on

the wait times for students to receive mental

many understaffed campus establishments,

campus. A later protest at the Harbison

health care.

especially Dining Services, unable to keep

House brought many of these concerns to

up.

the chancellor’s doorstep.

taxes, or PILOTs. The University updated the community on their commitment to reduce WUPD’s

For the first time, Residential Life opened

role in mental health — the partnership

its application for Resident Advisors (RAs)

with Behavioral Health Response (BHR),

mid-year due to eight RA vacancies around

expected to be a major step in achieving

campus.

that goal, fell through. This returned

September saw MeToo WashU members

Fall WILD was the fourth one to be

organize a vigil and protest surrounding

canceled due to the ongoing pandemic,

the MeToo movement that the country

which further identified this semester as

In November, news broke that in 2020,

administrators to the drawing board,

has been reckoning with in recent years.

one with ongoing pandemic restrictions

WashU students turned out to vote in

with Shantay Bolton, Executive Vice

This happened in conjunction with a

and uncertainty.

record

voting

Chancellor for Administration and Chief

conversation surrounding the Red Zone,

WashU moved up to 14th in the U.S.

engagement was reflected in the higher-

Administrative Officer, planning to create

the period during the fall semester in

News ranking for best national university

than-usual 34% voter turnout for the 2021

a task force to advise in implementing the

which more than half of all sexual assaults

— news soon followed by an unprecedented

Student Union fall elections, with opinions

recommendations that the public safety

happen on college campuses.

endowment pool of $15.3 billion dollars.

on Greek Life being a major separating

committee made in February of 2021. The

factor on the ballot.

crisis hotline operated by BHR remains a

The University was then thrust into the

Soon after, in October, the University

numbers.

This

student

national spotlight when a student removed

announced

need-blind

The voting season also saw many calling

resource for students uncomfortable with

American flags from a 9/11 memorial

effective immediately, through a $1 billion

on the University to do more, between a

the prospect of WUPD responding to a

created by the College Republicans. After

investment in financial aid. This made

rally demanding WashU divest from fossil

call.

students criticized the administration for

WashU the final top 20 college in the

fuels, a rally for WashU to cut ties with

In mid-November, Student Life published

not immediately reproaching and taking

country to adopt a need-blind policy.

military contractor Boeing and Mayor

several WashU students’ long-term research

the

Tishuara Jones’ visit to WashU and call for

project about WashU founder William

University to help support the mental

the University to pay payments in lieu of

Greenleaf Eliot.

action

against

the

Islamophobic

and

racist online backlash from this incident,

plans

TimelyCare

to

go

partnered

with

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE Despite

long

being

described

as

an

25

community mourned the loss of sophomore

Three thousand community members

abolitionist by WashU, the research found

Following the increase in COVID-19

Orli Sheffey. Students, faculty and friends

came together to listen to Supreme Court

that in reality, Eliot was far from one,

cases at the end of the fall semester, the

gathered for a candlelight vigil on the lawn

Justice

advocating for gradual emancipation and

University announced a delay of in-person

outside the Women’s Building to remember

Chancellor Andrew Martin in the Athletic

the colonization of Africa. The students’

classes until two weeks into the semester —

and celebrate her life.

Complex. Sotomayor spoke about her

work called on the University to reconsider

but did not follow other universities’ lead

The University extended its test-optional

its past, present, and future ties to slavery.

and mandate the COVID-19 vaccination

policy through fall 2024, allowing the

Later in the spring semester, the a cappella

booster shot.

classes of 2027 and 2028 to decide whether

A record low of 10% of applicants were

to submit their standardized test scores as

admitted to the Class of 2026 after the

drained and unsafe.

group known as the Greenleafs changed

At the end of January, the University

their name to the Evergreens, feeling that

revealed that they arrested an individual

their former namesake opposed their values.

for the Underpass vandalism a month prior.

Chancellor Martin gave his State of the

part of their application.

Sonia

Sotomayor

speak

with

experience as a Justice, woman, and Latina to the large crowd.

Class of 2025’s rate of 13%. The Class of 2026 also had a higher percentage of Black,

In December, WUPD increased off-

Students and administrators repainted the

University Address in late March, in which

Hispanic,

campus presence following a pattern of

vandalized Underpass mural with a “Black

he discussed the University’s strategic

students than the previous year’s class,

burglaries in what they called a “short-

Lives Matter” mural.

plan, the endowment and updates on his

though a smaller percentage of Pell-eligible

inaugural “In St. Louis, For St. Louis”

students.

and

first-generation

college

term” approach to address the uptick of

February arrived with nearly a foot of

burglaries affecting students living in off-

snow and new tension regarding Greek

campus apartments.

Life participation. Greek Life’s spring

“Survivor” season 42 premiered with

the DJ Zedd took the stage in Brookings

The Black history mural in the South

recruitment saw nearly double the interest

WashU senior Zachary Wurtenberger as

Quad to perform for the first WILD since

promise.

After four semesters without WILD,

40’s Underpass was vandalized with white

for new members compared to the previous

part of the cast. Friends of Wurtenberger

the pandemic began. This was the highest-

supremacist propaganda. Students reported

spring, when the Abolish Greek Life (AGL)

watched the season premiere with him at a

funded WILD in the University’s history

the vandalism to WUPD and then came

movement had more of a hold on the

local bar, where they got to see their friend

because the Student Programming Board

together to cover up the graffiti. Placed in

rush process. The Delta Gamma sorority

grace the big screen before getting voted out

reallocated fall semester’s WILD funding

context with the uptick of mental health

also ceased operations on campus after

first.

for the spring semester.

service usage across the semester (in line

the national organization withdrew their

In April, the University shared a draft of

In May, the Class of 2022 celebrated

with a larger annual trend toward more

charter, citing the AGL movement and

its long-awaited strategic plan for student

their Commencement in-person, with Mae

students using counseling services), the end

COVID-19 among the reasons.

feedback, in which they set forth a direction

Jemison — the first Black woman to travel

for WashU’s priorities over the next decade.

to space — as this year’s speaker.

of the semester left many students feeling

In

mid-February,

the

University

26

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Philip Dybvig, a professor in the She reflected on some of the marched through campus and chanted Sophomore Year Chapel. defining moments of her career while also outside Chancellor Andrew Martin’s Olin School of Business, won the 2022

Avi Holzman, Lily Taylor, James Ellinghaus, Aliana Mediratta, Zach Trabitz, Joel Swirnoff, and Hussein Amuri

News Staff and Former Managing Sports Editor

encouraging students to embody the mission

office. In his last statement on divestment

Nobel Prize in Economics for research

of spreading positive change throughout

at the time, Martin wrote that restricting

conducted on the vulnerability of banks

their daily lives.

investments to exclusively renewable energy

during financial crises. Two days after

means “jeopardizing the financial support of

Dybvig won, allegations of sexual assault

the University’s mission.”

began

Fall WILD was canceled due to safety concerns related to overcrowding after

circulating

online.

A

Student

men’s

Life investigation revealed that multiple

person capacity constraint on Brookings

basketball player, was drafted into the G

former Olin students had uncomfortable interactions with Dybvig.

Emergency Management placed a 3,500

Jack

Nolan,

former

WashU

Quad, where WILD is traditionally held.

League in October 2022, becoming the

The fall semester began with Washington

Students and administrators were unable to

second WashU player ever to do so. A

The WashU’s women’s soccer team

University welcoming the Class of 2026 to

find an alternative venue for the event while

post from G League TV described Nolan

defeated St. Catherine University and

campus and announcing plans to re-envision

also guaranteeing all undergraduate students

as “Division III Curry.” During his time at

Wartburg College in the first two rounds of

space equity on the Danforth Campus. The

could attend for free. Student Programming

WashU, Nolan was a standout player for

the NCAA DIII Championship to enter the

planning process to re-allocate this space will

Board (SPB), the student group responsible

the Bears. He averaged 16.8 points per game

Sweet 16.

determine the best way to provide access to

for planning WILD, attempted to push

(PPG) over four seasons, and most notably,

university-owned student-controlled spaces

back the date so that the event could still

led WashU to the second round of the 2022

Brown, TV personality and talk show host,

on campus, including fraternity houses, and

take place but was unable to because of a

NCAA DIII men’s basketball playoffs.

spoke in Graham Chapel as part of SBP’s

is proposed to take effect in fall 2025. The

scheduling conflict with the artist.

After

Thanksgiving

break,

Karamo

In November, WashU alumus and former

Trending Topics Lecture series. He discussed

sorority suites in the Olin Women’s Building

Green Action, a student group that

Student Union president, Tyrin Truong, was

his advocacy work, his journey to success as

are another space part of the reallocation

advocates for environmental justice, held

elected Mayor of Bogalusa, La. The 23-year-

an openly gay Black man in reality TV, and

plan.

a rally to demand that the University

old is the second youngest mayor elected in

the importance of listening to others with

divests

Administrators also announced a one-

from

fossil

fuels.

The

group

the state’s history, demonstrating that there

empathy and sharing experiences. Brown

time Flood Crisis Fund (FCF) to support

are no limits on what WashU students can

is known for acting in the “Karamo Show”

Danforth and Medical Campus students

do.

and Netflix’s “Queer Eye.”

who experienced flooding during the summer. Funds were allocated based on need and permitted WashU students to request up to $1,000 from the FCF to cover expenses.

Former WashU men’s soccer player, Sergio Rivas, signed a contract with St. Louis City FC in February 2022 after helping WashU win their first UAA title in 22 years.

A recent policy from the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards lessened punishments for instances of sexual assault by allowing them to be removed from students’ disciplinary records but does not have the same policy foracademic integrity violations. This sparked protest, and after a successful campaign, was altered — sexual assault is no longer eligible to be removed from student conduct records.

In

early

October,

the

University

announced “Here and Next,” their strategic vision for the next 10 years. The broad plan is centered around five core tenants: academic distinction, community impact, global perspective, equity, and stewardship; it also includes investment in research, faculty, and the St. Louis community.

Over fall break, Dr. Jane Goodall, a worldrenowned primatologist, anthropologist, and environmental activist, spoke at Graham

GINGER SCHULTE | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Students mix toppings into ice cream in the newly-opened Campus Creamery.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

27

In early December, WashU students held a vigil after ten people in Ürümqi, China were killed in a fire because heavily enforced government quarantine police prevented them from escaping. More than 50 students came to the event to express their solidarity with the victims and to protest the Chinese government’s suppression of free speech, political

prosecution,

and

unrelenting

quarantine policy.

Student Union (SU) Treasury, allocated $11,000 to the College Republicans so that conservative social media influencer, Amala Ekpunobi, could speak on campus.

Ekpunobi spoke about her upbringing and how her belief system shifted from leftism to conservatism. After her discussion, students asked her about previous statements she made which many perceived as racist and transphobic.

In the days after SU’s decision to fund Ekpunobi,

students

spray

painted

the

Underpass with messages that read “protect black trans lives” and “speak up against SU.” Students also expressed their disappointment with SU, protesting Ekpunobi’s visit by holding a “solidarity showcase,” featuring

PHOTO COURTESY OF WUGWU

performances and speeches from members of over 20 campus organizations. an

advanced

intelligence

ChatGPT,

interface,

was

November

and

raised

artificial in

hopes that the money can be used to begin

had long been used as a recruitment tactic by

investigation into the WashU Transgender

about

holding other events and activities that will

WashU’s Athletic Department, and for many

Center (WUTC) following allegations of

bolster campus life.

current upperclassmen athletes, it was one of

medical malpractice made by one of the

released

concerns

Washington University Graduate Workers Union protests the handling of an alleged sexual harassment case in WashU’s medical school.

plagiarism at WashU. Professors convened over winter break to participate in training,

In the wake of the killing of Tyre Nichols,

the major reasons why they chose to commit

clinic’s case managers. The case manager

not only to detect plagiarism done by

SU and WashU administration worked

to WashU. The University continues to use its

and Bailey’s request for a moratorium on

ChatGPT, but also to learn how ChatGPT

together to discuss the University’s response

presence as a means of elevating University

care until the investigation’s completion was

can be used as a partner in education. Many

to national tragedies, including when to

athletic programs by improving training

denied in a statement released by Chancellor

professors altered the syllabi for their courses

release statements and how to accommodate

practices.

Andrew Martin and Richard J. Leikweg,

to acknowledge the presence of this new

affected students. SU Senate and University

Provost Beverly Wendland emailed all

President and CEO of BJC Healthcare.

technology.

representatives noted frustration in developing

undergraduate students to announce a 3.9%

Martin and Liekweg said they would begin

and

a uniform accommodation strategy given the

($2,330) increase in undergraduate tuition

their internal investigation into the allegation

Eugenia Yoh, met after both attending a

differences between departments, professors,

for the 2023-24 school year. This included

and cited the fact that WUTC was the

Hong Kong Student Association hotpot

and how they run their classes.

increases in the cost of on-campus housing

only place in Missouri that offered gender-

Two

students,

Vivienne

Chang

and quickly hit it off over their shared love

Dr. Fiona Hill, the former Senior Director

and meal plans, as well as more expensive

affirming care as the D-III reason for denying

of picture books. After realizing their shared

for Europe and Russia of the National

student activities and health and wellness

Bailey’s request.

passion was actually a possibility, the two

Security Council, spoke on campus about the

fees.

co-wrote the picture book “This Is Not My

dangers of Putin and the Russian invasion of

In early February, WashU administration

construction of a chain link fence that now

Home.” The book centers around a girl who

Ukraine. Hill called Putin a “storyteller” and

announced that it had purchased nine

prevents students from jaywalking from

moves to Taiwan and has to redefine how she

compared the state of Russia to the political

properties on the Delmar Loop in the largest

Trinity Ave to the area near Village East. The

views home.

division in the United States, warning the

land purchase made in the University’s

petition to replace the fence with a crosswalk

audience to not let opposing political parties

history. They expressed no current desire

gathered 351 responses. Public officials said

lie about each other.

to alter the businesses currently in those

they put up the fence to increase pedestrian

Starting at the beginning of the spring semester, Campus Life’s Tuesday Tea, a weekly event where students could get free

WashU

opened

Students

petitioned

against

the

a

state-of-the-art

properties but suggested that one day those

safety and argued that an additional

Sports

Performance

spaces could be used for offices.

crosswalk would be unnecessary since there

tea, began being held on a monthly basis.

7,000-square-foot

The more than decades-long tradition is now

Center (SPC) in the basement of the Sumers

In mid-February, the Missouri Attorney

being held on a per-month basis with the

Recreation Center. The creation of the SPC

General, Andrew Bailey, launched an

was one that exited roughly 200 feet away from the fence.

28

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

divest from fossil fuels which about 40 students and faculty attended.

Student speakers emphasized the harmful effects that climate change has on Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people and called out Chancellor Martin as responsible for perpetuating those harms. At the event, students signed a women’s track and field

banner calling for divestment that was then hung up in Tisch Commons.

teams took the 2023

The WashU Distance Medley Relay

UAA indoor titles home. After a

won first place at the NCAA Division III

Environmental and public

series of impressive performances, they

Indoor Track and Field Championships

health experts gathered at

earned the most points to cement their

after Emily Konkus, Kathryn Leighty,

Washington University to connect

place as the Kings and Queens of UAA.

Ally Sarussi, and Aoife Dunne prevailed

and collaborate with each other about

For the women, it was their fourth-straight

over recent injury, as well as relative

research during the Midwest Climate

UAA indoor title, and for the men, it was

inexperience.

Summit. Dr. Sylvia Hood Washington

their third recorded UAA Indoor track title

and former Deputy Administrator of the

in the past three seasons.

Created

in

community about the importance of Washington

education in creating opportunities and

University Black Letter Winning Athletes

2020,

the

empowering communities. He also talked

United States Environmental Protection

After the Feb. 13 shooting at Michigan

Coalition (WU BLAC) continued its

about his works, touching on the usage

Agency Janet McCabe were among those

State University, SU Senate held a

efforts to hire more Black coaches, among

of color, the use of natural materials, and

who spoke at the summit.

town hall with WUPD, the Emergency

other goals that will support Black student-

the preservation of cultural heritage in

Hundreds of students and community

Management Team, and Student Affairs to

athletes. At the time, the group said that

architecture.

members gathered to listen to Michelle

discuss policing and emergency response

WashU’s athletic department has made

Alexander, an author, lawyer, and civil

on campus. Students also raised concerns

progress to support Black student-athletes,

Workers Union (WUGWU) protested the

rights scholar speak with Professor Fannie

about the treatment of minority students

but needs to do more.

University’s handling of sexual harassment

Bialek in Graham Chapel. Alexander

to WUPD Chief Angela Coonce, who said

The University announced they would

cases. The group marched through the

expanded upon the ideas in her book,

that WUPD has to work hard to earn the

be switching to a new dining provider,

Medical School campus with posters and

“The New Jim Crow,” and explained how

trust of WashU students.

structural racism has permeated into every facet of American society.

The WashU men’s and

Washington

University

Graduate

Sodexo Food and Facilities Management,

said that the University does not protect

After the Turkey-Syria earthquake in

after over 25 years of business with the

graduate students from sexual assault.

February, Turkish students grappled with

current provider, Bon Appetit. WashU

The group’s organizers attempted to lead

processing tragedy and school-related

administrators said at the time that this

the protest into administrative offices but

demands. The WashU Turkish-American

change would have no impact on the

were barred by WashU Protective Services

Students Association (TASA)

cost of meal plans, and all current dining

Officer, Steve Manley.

ran multiple fundraisers to

workers will have the opportunity to work

Asian American actress Brenda Song

generate support for

for the new company in roles that offer

spoke to students in Graham Chapel

similar salaries, time off, and benefits.

about her life both as a child star and as an

people in Turkey

to

adult working in film and television. Song

earthquake.

not allocate funding for the WashU

shared insights on the race and gender

Green

College Republicans (WUCR) to bring

dynamics in the entertainment industry

Action, an

conservative economist, Dr. Arthur Laffer,

and the country as a whole, encouraging

to speak on campus. A contentious debate

students to pursue their dreams and break

during the treasury meeting on March 21

barriers.

impacted by the

environmental advocacy group, held

a

rally

on

March 1 calling for Washington University to

Student

Union

Treasury

chose

occurred between treasury representatives

Popular hip-hop artist Flo Milli was

and junior Nathaniel Hope, the president

announced as the headliner for Spring

of WUCR.

WILD. For the first time, the event was

Campus Creamery, a student-run ice

held on Mudd Field instead of in Brooking

cream store, opened in the South 40

Quadrangle to avoid safety concerns

storefronts. Sophomore Harrison Lieber

regarding overcrowding.

started the Campus Creamery as the

In May, the Class of 2023 celebrated

newest business in the Skandalaris Center’s

their commencement with Sterling K.

StEP Program.

Brown — a St. Louis Native who has

Diébédo Francis Kéré, a BurkinabéGerman

architect,

visited

campus

and spoke to members of the WashU

received three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe — as this year’s guest speaker.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

the Class of 202 s e t a l u t a r g 5!

Con

‘Your hard work and dedication have led you to this remarkable milestone.

Brookie, Bear, Archie, and Misty are wagging their tails with pure joy as they honor all the brilliant minds who’ve just fetched their degrees!’

- WashU PD and your furry friends

29

30

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Junior Year Elizabeth Stump, Aliza Lubitz, Nina Laser, Tanvi Gorre, Joel Swirnoff, Zach Trabitz, Aliana Mediratta

News Editors and Former Managing News Editor

Over the summer, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin released a statement to

the

Washington

University

community in response to the Supreme Court ruling to end affirmative action at higher education institutions. Martin wrote that, while administrators will abide by the law, WashU’s commitment to diversity will remain the same.

Expanded dining options opened on campus with five new local restaurants

newly-established rule.

After Missouri state law banned gender-affirming care for all minors, the University made the decision to cease gender-affirming care for all minors at the Washington University Transgender Center. The decision sparked discourse among the WashU community, especially faculty.

The University also announced that they will adopt a “no loan” policy for all undergraduates starting in the fall of 2024. The policy eliminated federal loans from financial aid packages, allowing students to graduate without debt. The announcement was the newest large amendment to University financial policy, following needblind admissions in 2021 and the implementation of the WashU Pledge in 2019.

bringing their food to students for the academic year. WashU partnered with Beast Craft BBQ and LaJoy’s Coffee Cafe in Schnuck Pavilion, Collins Farms in Anheuser-Busch Hall, Corner 17 in Olin Library, and The Fattened Caf. in McKelvey Hall.

Prior to the start of the academic

During the first few months of the semester, a range of crimes affected students both on and off-campus, including an incident where four nonWashU affiliated individuals trespassed at Shepley Dorm on the South 40.

Additionally, in late September, nearly a dozen cars were broken into near

year, the academic integrity section of the “Syllabus Resources and Template Language” document was updated to account for growing use of generative artificial intelligence in student work. The new policy allows for professors to determine how little and how much they want to enforce the

the Delmar Loop, and a student was the victim of a robbery on Pershing Avenue.

After a change to how the U.S. News & World Report calculates their Best National University Rankings list, WashU fell from No. 14 to No. 24, sparking debate between students about how important rankings are to the college admissions process.

After Hamas’ attacks on Oct. 7, Chancellor Andrew Martin released a statement calling the situation devastating and heart-wrenching. He emphasized that WashU’s campus is diverse and expressed his support for all students with personal connections to the crisis, he also directed people to mental health resources on campus.

Additionally, WashU’s International Travel Oversight Committee announced that they were limiting travel to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank amid safety concerns for students, though no WashU students were studying abroad in Israel when the conflict began.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE The

crisis

sparked

a

series

of

responses from the larger campus community, including a vigil where more than 800 students gathered to mourn the lives lost in Israel.

Throughout

the

semester,

students

held a number of solidarity events and protests, some in support of Israel and

which included cutting ties with Boeing.

New York Times columnist David

legal complaint against WashU as part of its Fossil Fuel Divestment Rally.

pre-pandemic standard. The flu vaccine, along with the COVID-19 booster, is

Brooks visited campus to deliver a soldout lecture about his new book, “How

The legal complaint was part of the

now “highly recommended” instead of required, meaning that students no

to Know a Person,” where he talked about how to strengthen interpersonal relationships

and

connections.

others in support of Palestine. Student

Additionally, Hernan Diaz, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of bestselling

Union (SU) also released a statement on the topic, encouraging impacted students to seek mental health resources

novels “Trust” and “In the Distance,” visited campus to read the work of MFA students and talk about how to craft a

on campus if needed. Overnight, the

story, followed by questions from the audience.

post gained over a hundred comments with many criticizing the organization for not taking a stronger stance, leading SU to remove one of the slides that

Washington University received an average free speech ranking, ranking 135th out of 248 in College Pulse’s 2024

discussed violence in Israel and Gaza

Free Speech rankings.

and issue an apology online.

On Oct. 13, two rallies were scheduled on Mudd Field in response to the latest Israel-Hamas war: one to show support for Israel, and another to protest the

Students expressed frustration with religious accommodations for

Israeli government’s blockade of food, water, and electricity in Gaza. Hours before the scheduled times, the rally supporting Palestinian citizens was canceled due to organizers’ concerns for the safety of the protestors, leaving only the pro-Israel rally to gather on Mudd Field as planned.

Dr. Seth Crosby, a professor of Genomics, claimed to have lost his job over a post on X calling the latest IsraelHamas war a “much needed cleansing.”

Crosby’s post was in response to a post

by E. Michael Jones, a traditionalist Catholic writer and founder of Culture Wars, which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League.

A WashU student was subject to aggravated assault by a non-WashU affiliated man named Anthony McGee, who punched the student without provocation and was issued charges by the St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

Washington University students walked out from their classes to show support for Palestinians on Oct. 25.

They also gathered to protest the University’s lack of response to the Coalition of WUSTL Students for Palestine’s published letter of demands,

31

group’s ongoing efforts to end WashU’s investment of unknown amounts of endowment money into fossil fuel sources.

Washington

University

has

reverted its flu vaccine policy to the

longer need the vaccines to enroll in classes. Select employees of WashU, such as those in the WashU School of Medicine, are still mandated to get the vaccine.

exams, with some reporting that they had to skip religious observances for schoolwork due to professors refusing to reschedule exams held during events including Ramadan and Yom Kippur.

Environmental advocacy group Green Action WashU filed a

JAMIE NICHOLSON | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Students gather on Mudd Field and wave Israeli flags at a rally.

ELLE SU | FORMER PHOTO EDITOR St. Motel performs at Night at the Pageant (NAP), a replacement for Fall WILD.

32

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE Sociocultural Anthropology, received backlash after expressing his support of a protest outside of the home of the president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in an X post.

On Nov. 29, Chancellor Martin published an online statement calling for respectful dialogue and condemning hateful rhetoric amid violence in Israel and Palestine.

On Jan. 22, the University canceled classes and events on campus due to icy conditions in the St. Louis area. Some students expressed frustration that the closure was only communicated to students the morning it happened, but also gratitude towards dining workers for coming to campus and continuing to serve students.

12 first-year and sophomore students enrolled at WashU as mid-year transfer students for the spring semester.

This marked the first time in recent

and Fellows of Harvard College will impact future classes at Washington University. James emphasized that

history that students were accepted by admissions in between semesters.

Several of the mid-year transfer students are Jewish and said they came to the University after feeling unsafe on their previous campuses due to antisemitism.

WashU is committed to maintaining diversity in other ways such as through different scholarship programs and by adding an additional question to the common application about students’ cultural identities and backgrounds.

Bret Gustafson, professor of

Over Winter Break, the Association of Black Students (ABS) posted a list of grievances based on the administration’s response to events in recent years that have impacted students of color in a series of Instagram posts titled “Enough is Enough.”

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR The women’s soccer team celebrates after making it to national championship weekend in 2023.

In the weeks following the start of the Israel-Hamas war, students reported increased instances of harassment, doxxing, and blatant Islamophobia and antisemitism on campus. Several students told Student Life they felt isolated and feared vilification from those who disagree with their beliefs.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta spoke in Graham Chapel as the first speaker of the newly reinstated Assembly Speaker series, hosted in collaboration with Here & Next and WashU’s School of Medicine. He spoke about a range of topics including pandemic response and preparedness, mental health, misinformation, our diets, and how he blends his roles as a journalist and doctor.

Chabad and Hillel hosted an event to raise awareness for the hostages taken during the Oct. 7 attacks. The event used empty chairs as symbolism to represent the the missing hostages.

Pictures and information about individual hostages were posted on each of the chairs.

Popular band Saint Motel headlined the fall semester’s WILD, which was

rebranded as Night at the Pageant (NAP) by the Social Programming Board and was held off-campus for the first time since the event’s origin in 1973. The event was held on Nov. 9 and students generally considered it to be a success, though some expressed disappointment about technology issues causing delays.

On Nov. 19, just over a dozen students participated in a “die-in” in support of Palestinians and to urge the University to cut ties with Boeing.

The students laid down in the Danforth University Center (DUC) courtyard, spreading Palestinian flags over their bodies, holding signs, and chanting.

WashU students saw an improvement in ADHD medication accessibility over a year after the FDA declared an ADHD medication shortage in Oct. 2022. However, many students still struggle to get access to the medication.

Student Life sat down with Grace Chapin James, Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions, to unpack how the Supreme Court’s decision to overrule affirmative action in Students for Fair Admission, Inc. v. President

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR Protestors hold up pro-Palestine signs and chant outside of Graham Chapel.

WashU

School

of

Medicine

(WUSM) released the results from an internal as well as external report done by consulting firm Catalyst about the “climate and culture” of the institution. Through 4,000 survey responses as well as focus groups, listening sessions, and submitted messages, the investigation found that men at WUSM feel more included, safe, and welcome compared to women.

As artificial intelligence continues to

expand

worldwide,

WashU

released its own version of ChatGPT, which promised to help improve the privacy of using the machinelearning software. It is free to use by all University students, faculty, and staff.

Throughout the second semester, students protested the continued employment of WashU professor and Nobel Prize winner Philip Dybvig despite multiple former students alleging that he engaged in inappropriate conduct including sexual harassment. Students held two protests in Simon Hall, where Dybvig teaches,

to call on the University to fire him.

MeToo WashU published two posts speaking out against the use of sexual violence on both sides of the IsraelHamas war and opposing Israeli state practices while “reaffirm[ing] support for the right to a free, unoccupied Palestine.” The posts led to discourse online, with some students supporting the organization and others calling the post antisemitic and criticizing it for a lack of support towards Israeli assault survivors.

The University released another tuition increase, raising the cost of attendance by 4.5% from the year before, making 2024 the highest increase in the past decade. University officials said that the extra money would be used for University initiatives and programming.

The University’s Board of Trustees approved a Naming Board in December as a result of an initiative implemented by the Chancellor’s Office to ensure that buildings, programs, and awards are named after people who align with the University’s current values. The

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Naming Board most recently changed

33

the name of Wayman Crow to Dardick and Nemrov, since Wayman Crow was

calling for Professor Phillip Dybvig to be investigated for the sexual harassment allegations against him,

revealed to have been a slave owner.

Dining workers were negatively

placed on immediate leave, and fired if allegations of misconduct against him

impacted by changes to their scheduling process after new provider Sodexo instated unexpected changes to workers’ scheduling processes without

are found to be true.

fully explaining them. Workers said that they believed that there was a communication breakdown going on between workers, managers, and Sodexo.

Sam Fox students studying abroad in Florence experienced a range of housing issues, including mold, bedbugs, strangers entering their communal apartment, and a partial ceiling collapse.

Students voiced complaints about how the University handled the issues, and going forward, WashU’s housing coordinators have stated that they will be finding new accommodations for students abroad.

SU Senate voted for a resolution

34

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

The University received a threat via a phone call on Feb. 26, leading to

evacuations

of

Olin

Library,

Bauer Hall, and Simon Hall. After an investigation that lasted 2 ½ hours, WUPD determined that there was no threat. Numerous classes, nonetheless, were canceled.

In late February, WashU’s Emergency Support Team (EST) traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to compete against representatives from over 100 universities at the Stryker Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Skills Classic. EST placed first in the Classic competition and earned three awards, including the Striving for Excellence Award, Heart Safe Campus Award, and EMS Campus Award.

Chancellor Martin sat down for an interview with Student Life on March 5. Martin spoke about recent student activism on campus, the state of the endowment, WashU’s recent and future property purchases, and where he buys his glasses.

SAM POWERS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Many students travelled off-campus to view the solar eclipse.

Amarnath Ghosh, a beloved dancer and MFA student, passed away after being shot in St. Louis’ Central West

enrollment

WashU purchased their land and

Kappa Sigma and Alpha Phi were

End neighborhood. He is remembered for his gratitude towards others and

buildings and is leasing them back to Fontbonne for the remainder of

temporarily suspended at Washington University pending the results of

WashU students were temporarily suspended.

WashU administration announced

his work, as well as his “electrifying” dancing, which he taught to both students at WashU and over Zoom to students in India, where he was from.

On March 7, Chancellor Martin released his annual State of the University Address in a recorded video. He spoke about WashU’s progress in its “In St. Louis, for St. Louis” and “Here and Next” initiatives. He also addressed what he believes are the biggest challenges facing the WashU community, including freedom of speech and the overturning of affirmative action.

Spring semester SU Elections saw 30.1% of the student body vote, one of the highest turnouts in recent memory.

In this election, Hussein Amuri, Andy Mun, and Meris Damjanovic were elected President, Executive Vice President, and Vice President of Finance of SU, respectively.

Fontbonne University announced that it would close after experiencing

the year. Fontbonne students took a solemn but appreciative mood in response to the news, “dreading the ‘lasts.’”

SU Senate passed a resolution calling for the University to divest from Boeing by an anonymous vote of 15 to 5, with one Senator abstaining.

Over 200 students attended the meeting, with 44 students and two faculty members speaking either in favor or against passing it.

A petition to recall sophomore Sonal Churiwal as the Student Union Speaker of the Senate due to allegations of improper conduct was uploaded anonymously onto Washington University’s Group Organizer (WUGO) website. A few days later, the SU Election Commissioner emailed students and stated that the petition had received the required number of signatures to be put to a vote in a special election.

Churiwal won the special election on

a student conduct investigation following an incident involving

that the final day of the annual ThurtenE carnival, Sunday April 21,

students throwing eggs and potentially saying racial slurs at the Bear’s Den (BD) dining hall on March 21.

On April 8, students, faculty, and staff gathered on campus locations like Mudd Field to view the Great American Eclipse. Some community members ventured to locations across Southern Illinois and Southeastern Missouri to view the eclipse in totality.

This total solar eclipse was the first visible from the St. Louis area since 2017, and the next will not occur over the U.S. for another 20 years.

At a Bear Day admitted students event on April 13, a pro-Palestine protest urging the University to divest from Boeing disrupted an event at Graham Chapel, forcing admissions to move the event elsewhere on campus. Of the 40 protestors present, 12 received court summons for trespassing and disturbing the peace,

was canceled following multiple fights that broke out on the second day of the carnival. The administration cited crowd safety concerns as the reason for the shutdown.

On April 27, students, faculty, and St. Louis residents set up a pro-

and

financial

issues.

April 10 and retained her seat in SU.

as well as other violations, and three

Palestine encampment on the East End of campus after marching throughout the campus. The demonstration resulted in over a 100 arrests, carried out by WUPD and other local police departments, including those of five faculty and 23 WashU students as well as Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

The Class of 2024 wrapped up their WashU career with some words of wisdom from beloved actress Jennifer Coolidge, best known for her roles in “Legally Blonde,” “American Pie,” and “White Lotus” at the commencement ceremony on May 13.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Senior Year Tanvi Gorre, Nina Laser, Aliza Lubitz, Coby Rinke, Lauren Smith, Elizabeth Stump, Joel Swirnoff, Zach Trabitz

News Editor Staff

35

a class together on free speech. Martin

allegations of police violence during the

the WashU administration. The University

focused on Jewish safety in light of recent

April 27 protest, and maintained that

cited counselor burnout and student safety

congressional

demonstrators had disobeyed University

as primary reasons for their mandate. Uncle

policies that day.

Joe’s is now available by phone from 7 p.m.

testimony

from

other

University leaders. After six students began to protest at the event, Martin said that they had a right to do so on campus.

resolution

to 1 a.m. and for in-person support from 10

urging WashU to drop disciplinary cases

SU

Senate

introduced

a

p.m. to 1 a.m. at its South 40 office in Gregg House.

In early September, after almost a year of

against students and faculty, disarm the

students and community members calling

WashU Police Department, establish an

for WashU to sever ties with and divest from

Indigenous Studies department, and call for

had

Student Life reported that Dining Services implemented

several

changes

at

Boeing, WashU Investment Company’s

the chancellor’s resignation. The resolution

WashU dining halls in response to student

Reed — whistleblower and former case

Chief

Investment Officer (CIO) Scott

passed 11-7 with two abstentions on Sept.

complaints, including extended dining hall

manager at the Washington University

Wilson stated that the University does not

10. Two days later, SU President and senior

hours and adding additional menu options.

Transgender Center (WUTC) of St. Louis

have any investments in the company to the

Hussein Amuri vetoed the resolution, citing

Some students said the updates made it

Children’s Hospital — claimed that the

best of his knowledge. Wilson’s statement

concerns that it would further divide the

easier to find healthy, affordable meals, but

WUTC quietly closed. However, claims

surprised some students because WashU

student body.

others said they continued to experience

were unfounded, and as of April 2025, the

has maintained a long-standing relationship

During a Q&A with Student Life, Martin

center is still open, though it only provides

with Boeing, tracing back to former Board

said his top goal for the year was to bring

Around the same time, a Student Life

gender-affirming care to adults.

of Trustees member James McDonnell,

the WashU community together to foster

investigation revealed that food prices at

who founded McDonnell Douglas before its

respectful dialogue around complex issues.

WashU’s three main dining halls had risen

merger with Boeing.

He also confirmed that the University had

significantly compared to previous years.

In July, Student Life reported that Jamie

On Aug. 16, Chancellor Andrew Martin announced via email to the WashU

long wait times and limited meal choices.

community that the University would

In a joint Student Union (SU) session,

finalized its purchase of the Fontbonne

The increased costs became so high that

adopt a new logo and rebrand its name

Martin participated in a Q&A with

campus, but noted that there was not yet

first-year students were unable to afford two

from Washington University in St. Louis to

student leaders, thanking them for their

a clear vision for its use, and that nearby

average meals a day, regardless of the meal

WashU. He described the change as part of

work and responding to questions about

Concordia Seminary would be used for

plan they chose. In a Student Life survey on

a broader storytelling campaign aimed at

campus protests, encampments, and Title

athletic fields.

dining prices, nearly 90% of the 221 student

elevating the University’s national profile,

IX concerns. Martin said he was open

Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling & Resource

noting that despite its success, WashU

to revisiting the University’s policy

Center announced that it will no longer offer

WashU’s dining costs below 5 out

often receives less recognition than peer

prohibiting encampments, refuted

24-hour services, following a mandate from

of 10.

respondents rated their satisfaction with

institutions.

Just months after the Supreme Court effectively struck down affirmative action, Student Life reported that WashU’s Class of 2028 had fewer students of color than previous classes. At the same time, the number of students from low- to moderateincome backgrounds — including those eligible for Pell Grants — increased, and the share of students receiving financial aid rose by 6%.

Student Life published an in-depth investigation into why, despite many years of student-led pressure, WashU has not divested from fossil fuels. The investigation was largely informed by former WashU student Isabel Huesa’s senior thesis, a comparative study of Harvard University’s divestment efforts and WashU’s. Our investigation concluded that the University does not divest for a variety of reasons, including WashU board of trustees members who discourage divestment.

Martin

and

Professor

Lee

Epstein,

the Ethan A.H. Shepley Distinguished University Professor at WashU, discussed free speech on campus. The pair also teach

ISABELLA DIAZ-MIRA | PHOTO EDITOR EarthGang and Bryce Vine co-headline at NAP, which was only attended by around 200 students.

36

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE similar survey five years prior. 26.9% of undergraduate women surveyed reported experiencing sexual assault since entering WashU, a drop from 35.1% in 2019. Just 12.5% of students completed the survey.

A

man

who

spray-painted

white

supremacist messages on a Black history mural on the South 40 underpass in 2022 was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation this year. The man was associated with the Patriot Front, a white supremacist group. Though four individuals were seen on security footage defacing the mural, 26-year-old Mitchell Wagner was the only one arrested. He was charged with felony first-degree property damage.

WashU Dining Services piloted the AYCTE program at the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester with the goal of enhancing community engagement at the Bear’s Den and reducing food waste. By December, they decided to implement this as a permanent change for weekday meals

ISABELLA DIAZ-MIRA | PHOTO EDITOR

from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., eventually adding a cheaper to-go option after collecting

Students express their concerns with dining services on a poster designed for community feedback.

student feedback. it

would

College Pulse, an analytics company

billing,

and

that surveys U.S. college students, ranked

others praised the University’s response

course registration from WebSTAC to

WashU 187th out of 251 colleges in free

compared to other universities.

Workday beginning in February 2025.

speech rankings for the 2023-2024 school

In late September, several of the 26

done enough to foster dialogue between

WashU

WashU students suspended after the April

differing perspectives on the issue, while

transition

pro-Palestine campus protests, along with most of the six faculty members who were

announced all

that

housing,

arrested or suspended, spoke with Student

Almost 350 people gathered in Brookings

Senior Associate Provost and Executive

year, marking a drop from a previous

Life to share their experiences with the

Quad a year after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks

Director of the Student Sunrise Project

ranking of 135th out of 248. The drop

University’s disciplinary process, voice

to honor those killed and taken hostage.

Erin Culbreth said that switching from

came after over 100 people were arrested

their concerns, and provide updates on

The event included a series of 12 speakers

WebSTAC to Workday will be more

during a pro-Palestine protest in April

their enrollment or teaching status. Most

who in between prayers shared stories of

efficient,

that

2024. The arrests brought WashU to the

of the suspended students who had not

their personal connections with those

WebSTAC does not support mobile device

26th percentile of all schools surveyed,

yet graduated had their cases resolved

killed, and messages of hope for the Jewish

usage, has a complicated user interface,

having been in the 71st percentile just three

over the summer and returned to campus

community. Each of the 12 speakers lit a

and frequently crashes.

years earlier.

by the start of the Fall semester, as did the

candle to signify the 12 tribes of Israel. The

In October of

WashU’s

majority of the faculty members.

event was organized by Chabad, Hillel, the

announced it was running out of money

well-being survey found that there were

Jewish Student Association, and WashU’s

to fund student organizations. Treasury

considerable decreases in the amount of

Jewish Advocacy Council.

explained that the budget deficit was due

students drinking alcohol or using cannabis

Three SU senators resigned, citing a toxic working environment. They alleged

especially

considering

2024, SU Treasury

2024

student

health

and

being pressured by other senators to vote

After fencing off a large portion of

to an over-allocation of funds to student

compared to recent years. 28% of students

in certain ways and being uncomfortably

the green space in front of the Women’s

organizations. Vice President of Finance

said that they engaged in binge-drinking,

called out during meetings. Multiple other

Building

WashU

Meris Damjanovic stated that if Treasury

compared to 45% in 2022. It also indicated

senators reported they were considering

announced its plans to begin construction

continued to fund student organizations

that students’ emotional well-being was

leaving or not running again because

on Riney Hall, a new building planned

at its current rate, it would likely run out

similar to years prior.

of instances of intimidation, bullying,

to house the Department of Sociology,

of money at the start of the Spring 2025

disrespect, and backlash from others within

the Department of African and African-

semester.

the body.

American

On Oct. 7, 2024, Student Life reported

for

several

Studies,

Undergraduate

weeks,

the

Advising

student

Association of Black Students, the Asian

Center

for

organizations to submit their appeals as

Multicultural Council, and the Association

in

&

soon as possible to maximize their chance

for Latin American Students, published an

of getting funding for events.

opinion article in Student Life calling for

Arts

Damjanovic

urged

Three affinity groups at WashU, the

on how the ongoing war in Gaza has

Sciences, and the Office of Graduate

changed the campus environment over the

Studies. The construction plans also

A 2024 WashU survey on sexual

admissions to increase diversity. The article

last year. Some students voiced concern

include developing a new quadrangle

misconduct found lower numbers of sexual

came in the wake of the Supreme Court’s

that the WashU administration had not

between Riney Hall and Olin Library.

assault and harassment compared to a

decision to end affirmative action.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

The world’s most talented graduates, prepared to do amazing things!

That’s what

can do.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025

from University Marketing & Communications

37

38

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

during office hours. The University said they could not comment because of the ongoing Title IX investigation.

Rising junior Kayleigh Hernandez, a first generation, low-income student who usually relied on financial aid to pay the vast majority of her tuition, returned to WashU in the Fall of 2024 to find an outstanding balance of $50,000 owed to WashU. Hernandez had been experiencing medical issues and tried but failed to apply for a medical leave of absence the previous fall, causing the outstanding balance.

She did not realize that she had to reapply for financial aid every year and said she received no guidance on the topic. In early January of 2025, Hernandez received an email from Undergraduate Student Services saying that her debt was cleared, and she returned to WashU for the Spring 2025 semester.

Also in January, Student Life spoke to Native students about some of their concerns, especially given that the University is located on native land and the site of the Cahokia — which was one of the largest, most technologically

CURREN NEENAN | FORMER PHOTO EDITOR

advanced, and complex societies in the world.

In 2021, a mural on the South 40 underpass was vandalized with white spray paint and white supremacist symbols. Mitchell Wagner received two years of unsupervised probation for his role in the crime.

While WashU’s peer institutions like Tufts

Also following the Supreme Court’s decision

several Black students at WashU received

University all offer Native American Studies

to end affirmative action, WashU saw a

explicitly racist text messages from an unknown

In mid-November, after allegations that he

(NAS), WashU and 94.5% of universities

decrease in Black student enrollment. This

sender, leading to an FBI investigation into

inappropriately touched students, Associate

nationwide do not have this department.

prompted sophomore Precious Barry to start a

their source. Other college students across

Professor of Chemistry Jonathan Barnes

Only 0.1% of the WashU student body is

National Association for the Advancement of

the nation reported receiving similar texts.

stopped teaching at WashU. However, he

Native. However, the Native students who

Colored People (NAACP) chapter at WashU.

WashU’s Association of Black Students (ABS)

continues to conduct research with students.

spoke to Student Life expressed that they

The chapter’s main goal is to empower students

expressed that they wished the University had

Four female students described how Barnes

were struggling to find support, and they

to be leaders and increase civic engagement.

made a formal statement condemning the text

touched them on the arms, lower back, and

shared a desire for NAS coursework, living

upper thigh while they were alone with him

spaces, and other resources.

WashU saw its highest voter turnout in

messages; however, both ABS and University

history on Nov. 5, when over 2,000 people

spokespeople affirmed that they are offering a

voted at polling stations set up on the Danforth

variety of support to Black students, especially

Campus and Medical Campus for the

in the wake of the election.

November 2024 elections. Missouri voters

The second annual Night at the Pageant

passed Amendment 3 by a margin of 52% to

(NAP) was held on Nov. 8, starring rap duo

48%, enshrining the right to abortion in the

EarthGang and pop singer Bryce Vine. NAP

state’s constitution. Following the Supreme

replaced fall WILD for the first time in Fall

Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s

2023. Despite an increase in funding from

Health Organization, abortion had previously

$75,000 to $100,000, attendance was far lower

been illegal in the state. 91.3% of the WashU

than the year before, with only around 200

students surveyed by Student Life voted in favor

people attending.

of the amendment.

University, Cornell University, and New York

Ability WashU, a student group that

Following the election of Donald Trump for

represents those with disabilities on campus,

the second time, WashU students grappled with

advocated for WashU administration to make

the prospect of a second Trump presidency.

the campus more accessible. Among other

While some expressed optimism about Trump’s

initiatives, they hope to add reflective tape to

victory, others felt discouraged and bewildered

stairs to help those who are visually impaired.

by the election results.

Two student groups moved their meetings out

Following the 2024 presidential election,

accessibility.

of the Women’s Building due to concerns about

ERAN FANN | PHOTO EDITOR Galea speaks with Student Life about the new School of Public Health.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

39

New Dean of the School of Public

$106 million, which would stifle research

uncertainty in the federal government.

by WashU, Martin remains optimistic

Health, Dr. Sandro Galea, had a sit-

efforts according to some NIH-funded

While many students are scrambling

regarding the future of the school, touting

down interview with Student Life at

researchers at WashU.

to

and

the achievements of students, faculty, and

find

post-graduation

jobs

cuts,

summer internship opportunities, GPSI

community members as an indicator of

leading up to the launch of the School of

graduate students organized protests on

reaffirmed the importance of policy and

what is to come from WashU.

Public Health in 2026. Galea is excited

Mudd Field and the medical campus to

developmental assistance work to make

to use WashU’s prestige in the world of

protest the cuts. Many of the students

the world a better place.

medicine to make an impact in public

and professors who attended the event

University City residents and WashU

universities under fire for their DEI

health and plans to work closely with pre-

said that they wanted to give greater

community members have been calling

initiatives. When asked about the future

med and medical students, in addition to

visibility to scientists who are working

for WashU to pay payments in lieu of

of

students in other academic fields that

to solve some of the world’s biggest

taxes (PILOTs) for years. However,

said he is committed to maintaining

intersect with public health.

problems through research.

the University administration has no

WashU community but isn’t necessarily

the beginning of the spring semester,

Following

these

significant

At the time of the

Trump

Martin’s address,

administration

put

U.S.

WashU’s DEI programs, Martin

With the Palisades and Eaton wildfires

WashU admitted six mid-year transfer

plans to do so because they feel WashU

committed to the letters “D,” “E,” “I,” or

still ablaze, students from Southern

students in the second year of the mid-

contributes enough to the area through

the “concatenation” of the three.

California left their families and homes

year transfer program, which is intended

community initiatives and job creation

to return to campus after Winter Break.

to admit students who faced anti-

in the St. Louis area. If WashU should

an

The

refreshing

semitism at their former institutions.

pay PILOTs — in line with institutions

entitled “Never is Now” about combating

fire progress maps and seeing their

Student Life spoke with several of the

with similar endowments — how the

antisemitism

communities on the news without being

new WashU students, who said they

money would be distributed is a point of

During his remarks, Martin explained

home to help out was challenging to

felt supported by the environment at the

disagreement amongst municipalities and

that the University has had an anti-

handle on top of academics for many

University.

their residents.

encampment policy since 2019 which was

stress

of

constantly

In early March, Martin also spoke at Anti-Defamation on

League

college

summit

campuses.

students, but the administration and

The Government, Policy, & Social

In late February, Martin gave his

violated by the protests on April 27. He

professors did their best to be flexible and

Impact (GPSi) career community is

annual State of the University Address in

also affirmed the University’s stance that

accommodating during this time.

reevaluating career counseling and how

which he addressed how current political

the boycott, divestment, and sanctions

to navigate the government job market

turmoil may impact WashU’s funding

movement remains antithetical to the

amidst

and staff. Despite the uncertainty faced

institution’s academic freedom.

On

Jan.

17,

WashU

announced

construction on Mudd Field, which will

widespread

job

feature new walkways and additional shade

after

construction

finishes

in Fall 2028. Many undergraduate students

were

apprehensive

about

the University’s plans because Mudd Field is an integral part of their college experience.

Donald

Trump

was

inaugurated

as president on Jan. 20, 2025. In the midst of Trump’s return to the White House, WashU community members expressed fear regarding the future of DEI programs, free speech, and international status

at

student

WashU.

immigration

The

University

expressed plans to respond reactively to Trump’s actions as his presidency goes on.

Approximately

two

weeks

after

Trump’s inauguration, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a $4 billion cut to research funding in the U.S.; however, the cut was paused by a Massachusetts federal court judge following lawsuits from universities across the nation and 22 state attorneys general. According to Student Life estimates, should the cuts be instituted, WashU would lose roughly

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR WashU community members were part of nearly three million voters in Missouri who cast ballots in the 2024 presidential election, with President Donald Trump ultimately winning the state.

40

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE University

to

denounce

the

Terry

Collection, a collection of unethically collected remains of deceased African American and Indigenous people. In addition to repatriation of the bones, the resolution asks that the University renounce the Terry Endowed Chair of Neuroscience at the medical school as well as the annual Terry Lecture Series.

Dining Services committed to a two-to three-year overhaul of its operations after being named the #2 Best College Dining by the Princeton Review. The overhaul includes

“reviewing

higher

ed

best

practices, expanding All You Care to Eat (AYCTE) options, integrating national and local brands, adopting innovative technology,

and

reconfiguring

meal

plans to offer diverse options and price points.” Administrators reiterated their commitment to affordability.

In early April, Flo Rida was announced as the headliner for the 2025 WILD Concert. The student band On Hold with

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR Chancellor Andrew Martin, Professor Lee Epstein, and senior and Student Union President Hussein Amuri discussed free speech on campus at an event on Sept. 4.

Students launched the Coalition for Liberated

Students,

dedicated

to

an

organization

and faculty. The University sent an email

increased.

to at least one department on the medical

Gymnast Simone Biles, an 11-time

the IRS and DJ Mustard will open for Flo Rida. WILD’s budget for this year was increased to $325,000, almost double the budget of last year’s WILD, which featured rap sensation Joey Bada$$.

on

campus instructing students on what

Olympic medalist and 30-time World

The University announced that it is

campus. The coalition, which advertised

to do if ICE is on campus. The letter

Championships medalist, was announced

pausing construction on Riney Hall and

via a mural on the South 40 underpass,

instructed each of the departments to

as the 2025 Commencement speaker at

reopening Mudd Field fully in the fall.

has goals such as getting the University

appoint an administrator as the liaison

the Class Toast in late March. Biles will

The school cited a potential endowment

to divest from Boeing and getting the

between students and ICE.

deliver her speech to graduating seniors

tax and cuts to research funding as

on Francis Field on Monday, May 12,

the reasons behind the pause, and also

2025, at 9 a.m.

expressed interest in eventually resuming

specific

advocacy

admissions office to disaggregate the

In

mid-March,

the

administration

coalition said that its overall mission is

federal probe into WashU and 44 other

to create a better on-campus environment

universities on the basis of its partnership

for students of color.

with the PhD Project, a nonprofit

After last April’s protests resulted in

aimed

at

also

Trump

racial data of admitted classes. The

helping

announced

minority

a

students attain doctoral degrees. WashU

an ad hoc committee to evaluate the

administrators said that WashU has

University’s response to pro-Palestine

supported the PhD Project with a small

demonstrations. The committee, made up

amount of funding in the past several

of WashU board members, determined

years and that they will cooperate with a

the

federal investigation.

was

justified

in

its

responses to the protests and its use of

WashU announced a $3,740 increase

police force, but noted that the University

in tuition, the largest increase in over a

could have better publicized some of their

decade. In the increase announcement,

policies, including the anti-encampment

the

policy.

administration’s cuts to research funding

University

cited

the

Trump

orders

and the proposed tax on endowments

cracking down on immigration and

as the reason behind the increase. In

escalating U.S. Immigration and Customs

addition to tuition, costs for room and

Enforcement (ICE) deportations have

board, meal plans, and other fees like

caused concern among WashU students

the Health and Wellness fee were also

Trump’s

recent

executive

construction on Riney in the future.

business

over 100 arrests, the University formed

University

SU passed a resolution asking the

SYDNEY TRAN | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF While ground was broken in October at Riney Hall’s construction site, the project has now been put on pause due to funding cuts.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

And thank you to the graduating student workers of the WashU Libraries.

We wish you happiness and success.

Jack Abah Al and Ruth Kopolow (Business) Library

Rebecca Franke Special Collections

Jin Mei Law Library

Gabrielle Abato Access Services

Clarissa Gaona Romero Brown School Library

Noah Mondschein Brown School Library

Dylan Alfonso Law Library

Kelly Guethlein Access Services

Q Negrete Access Services

Cassandra K. Berko Brown School Library

Abir Hamdaoui Building Operations Management

Jenny Nguyen Brown School Library

Emmett Campbell Special Collections

Charlotte He Special Collections

Amaya Reynolds Brown School Library

Cristina Ciborowski Escoffery Law Library

Charlie Hoppe Special Collections

Natalie Rogler Access Services

Taylor Clark Brown School Library

Lena Humble Special Collections

Yukina Shambare Gaylord Music Library

Kyle Cox Law Library

Emma Klein Special Collections

Queen Spurlock Brown School Library

Beza Dagne IDEA Intern

Nina Latimore Law Library

Bethany Williams Access Services

Siobhan Davenport IDEA Intern

Jack McCall Digital Preservation, Processing, and Reformatting

Kiara Wilson Heredia Gaylord Music Library

Valentin Davis Brown School Library Becca Dayan Dowd Illustration Research Archive

Hope McKinney Access Services

Xuela Zhang East Asian Library

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Performances through the years PHOTOS BY: ERAN FANN, ASHER LUBIN, ISABELLA DIAZ-MIRA, SAM POWERS

LNYF ‘25

LNYF ‘25

LNYF ‘25 Carnaval ‘25

Black Anthology ‘24 Carnaval ‘25

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Diwali ‘24

Black Anthology ‘24

Diwali ‘24

Diwali ‘24

Carnaval ‘25

Black Anthology ‘24

43

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Dear Scene,

My boyfriend and I are both seniors and have been dating for over a year now. We’re facing graduation and struggling with what to do … Should we stay together? How likely is a college relationship to last in the real world? What would you do?

- Dangerously in Love

Dear Dangerous, You’ve happened upon the most tedious, overbearing,

hush-whispered

conversation

you. It’s incredibly comforting. But once it’s

A relationship that can survive this kind of

In my opinion, you’re asking the wrong

gone, you find out if you actually want to keep

shift is a relationship worth keeping, but you

question. It doesn’t matter what I would do —

showing up for each other.

won’t know unless you give it a chance.

I’m not you or your boyfriend, and you two

— Will Rosenblum, Managing Scene Editor

are the only people who will live out the future

of senior year. And frankly, it’s hard to get a

I wouldn’t worry about how likely it is either.

straight answer — everyone has different ideas,

It’s not about whether college relationships last

plans, or opinions on the college-to-postgrad

in the real world — it’s about whether yours

relationship transition. Scene is no exception.

does. And that comes down to whether you

I think some important questions to ask

I can’t tell you what the right answer is.

But we don’t want to leave you hanging, so here

both actually want to carry this thing forward,

yourself in this situation are this: If graduation

Instead, I will tell you about a framework

are some takes from the StudLife team about

not because it’s comfortable, but because you

wasn’t a factor, would you still be together? Is

called regret minimization that has worked

the future of your love life:

see real value in it after college.

the only issue here the timing of everything, or

for me when making decisions that feel

is there something more?

insurmountable.

you’ve created for yourselves by either staying together or breaking up.

Call me a hopeless romantic, but I think you

As for what I’d do? Honestly, stop worrying

should at least try. There is no perfect time or

about “making it last” and just see if it still feels

Because in reality, how likely is any

Imagine you’re reflecting on this decision

place to start a relationship. The love of your

natural when life shifts. Talk it out, properly.

relationship to last in the real world? There will

20 years down the line and think about which

life isn’t going to be stationary. You can meet in

Get past the fear of graduation and the

always be something that comes up that will

choice you would regret the most. Obviously,

high school with college in the way, in college

hypotheticals, and ask: Are we doing this or not?

seem like a roadblock to your love, a new job,

it’s difficult to do this without knowing the

with work in the way, or at 30 with a job offer in

If it works, invite me to the wedding. And if not,

a devastating loss, or a new phase in life. But at

outcome, but you can still think about the

Paris in the way. Nothing is ever certain. If you

you’ll walk away with lessons learned and no

the end of the day, if it’s the right person, the

decision itself and the type of person you want

want to pursue a life with this person, then give

what-ifs hanging over your head.

timing won’t matter. The right person surpasses

to be — would you regret not taking a chance on

them a chance. Sparing yourself heartbreak is a

— Elias Kokinos, Former Senior Sports Editor

any kind of timing, good or bad.

love? Or would you regret staying in something

myth. Whether you break up before graduation or three months later, you’re still going to suffer.

I think that not giving your relationship

just because it was comfortable?

a try is the perfect way to end up with a lot

Take a moment to reflect and block out the

Transitional moments like this always feel

of what-ifs. What if you are meant to stay

rest. Don’t get me wrong, listen to all the advice

college. Prevention break-ups will leave you

uncertain. And you have to realize that the

together? What if they are your person? What if

you get, but don’t be afraid to throw whatever

with too many what-ifs. Trust your gut. Give

relationship will be inherently different. So yeah,

graduating is what you both need to grow your

doesn’t work out of the window.

love a chance. A third cliche.

it is a test.

relationship even more?

Besides, a lot of people meet their spouse in

— Nicole Backal, Staff Writer

All that being said, of course you’re struggling

Still, the fact that you are even considering

And what if they’re not for you, out there in

with what to do. You are making a major life

staying together means you should absolutely

the big, scary, real world? Well, you won’t know

decision at a moment where everything is on the

There’s something so funny about this. You

see it through to have the knowledge if it will

unless you try. So I say go for it. You’ve already

precipice of change. Whatever route you take,

spend all of college figuring each other out,

hold up post-college. You don’t need to have

been together for so long for a reason. See where

give yourself some grace, and try to embrace

and just as you finally get it, the clock runs out.

your whole future figured out right now, but you

life takes you, because there’s no worse feeling

your path head-on.

Truly dreadful timing. But maybe that’s how it’s

do need to know if the relationship you’ve built

than spending your life wondering “what if.”

meant to go. College is this built-in routine with

holds up when things change or become less

— Aliana Mediratta, Former Managing News Editor

the same place, people, and rhythm surrounding

convenient.

— Nikol Krol, Staff Writer

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Look — the end of senior year makes people

45

incredibly sentimental. It leaves people grasping at college memories and friends they might be able to take with them after graduation, desperate to hang on to a tangible comfort from the last four years. I’m not saying that’s why you’re asking this question, but it’s worth bearing in mind as you consider your options.

Are you thinking about what you want in the future? Or are you just scared about the fastapproaching unknowns?

Ultimately, you and your boyfriend are the only ones that know your relationship and what it has been like to navigate in this setting. It’s worth thinking back to other times where your relationship was tested. Why was it tested? How did you feel, and how did you get through it?

Did you go abroad but your boyfriend didn’t?

How have summers been? When one of you was struggling with something, did that put a strain on your relationship? How so? Are you going to be in the same place post-grad? These answers will be different for everyone, and are worth talking to your significant other about — there is a lot to consider.

But maybe you don’t feel the need to go through all of these questions. Maybe you’ve been thinking of graduation as a natural end point for your relationship. If so, then you probably have your answer. Alternatively, if you can’t imagine not being with this person, you’ll find a way to make it work! Don’t end something that’s important to you, something that you’re invested in, just because of an arbitrary “ending.”

KEVIN KAN | ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

Goodbyes do not have to mean endings.

You won’t stop being friends with your college

way.

You are asking a question that looms over

post-grad is etched with permanence,

friends just because you have a diploma. You

Putting a timer on a relationship feels weird

the heads of many couples as they near

whether it’s our friends, lessons, or romantic

won’t stop loving someone just because you’re

and can shift how you view your time in the

graduation, perhaps more so than anything

relationships. The way I see it, you are

no longer a student. If you’re looking for a

present with your partner. That is not to say

else. The truth is, no one can answer this

(probably) 22 when you graduate, and

natural ending, now is a good time, but if you’re

that you shouldn’t do it, just that as graduation

question but you.

you are (probably) 22 when you enter the

not sure what to do, why not give it a shot?

looms larger and larger, it can become harder to

First, I have a few questions. Why do

“real world.” We are the same people, but

— Alice Gottesman, Former Managing Scene Editor

make those decisions. My advice is to imagine

you characterize your relationship as a

in different circumstances. People can live

standing on campus at graduation with your

“college relationship”? Is it because a part

in your life as long as you want them to,

family in your cap and gown — it’s too warm,

of you fears the uncertainty of a life outside

so I would hesitate from putting too much

I’ll start with unhelpful advice. There is

or raining (something weird with the weather is

of college, so that’s the only way you feel

pressure on this decision.

probably no way of knowing how long a

going on), and you are exhausted. Who is the

certain enough to characterize it? Or is it

Ultimately, I think what can scare a lot of

relationship will last after college — without the

person you want by your side to go through it

because a part of you feels it is a perfect

people from maintaining their relationships

structure of college, who knows what life will

all with — the No. 1 human being you want in

relationship in college but not in the working

post-grad is that it feels like a path to

bring? So on the off chance you were looking

your corner?

world, potentially miles apart?

marriage or a life-long relationship with that

for a percentage of how likely your relationship

Most importantly, regardless of whatever

What is holding you back? What are the

person. But that doesn’t have to be the case,

is to last, I might not be your guy. OK (slightly)

you choose, make sure you and your partner

reasons you wouldn’t want to be with this

not unless you want it to be. So take it step

more helpful advice: Every relationship is going

are on the same page about it. Having hard

person?

by step — do you want to be with this person

to go through its phases and changes because as

conversations causes the feelings lodged in the

we grow up, our lives change. People move to

depths to bubble to the surface.

existence far from the trials and tribulations

different places, opportunities come, and other

— Avi Holzman, Former Editor-InChief

of the “real world.” It can feel like whatever

random stuff no one saw coming gets in the

Often, our college lives feel like a blip of

we take out of this blip into our “real world”

this summer? Next year? What will make you happiest?

— Nina Giraldo, Former Editor-In-

Chief

46

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Dear Scene, I’m a senior and I feel like everyone has a job. I feel like I worked for four years and it’s amounting to nothing because all I have are rejections. I’m not sure what I’m doing this summer and I feel behind — how did I go to WashU and still end up in the dust career-wise? Help!

- Upset and Unemployed ALIANA MEDIRATTA

what is going on behind the scenes of other

job search, though, I have learned that most

know who have secured post-grad jobs will

FORMER MANAGING NEWS EDITOR

people’s LinkedIn posts. Getting a job is, in

people are more than happy to do what they

decide they want to switch careers entirely.

a lot of ways, a guessing game. There is a

can to help you. WashU has a really strong

And that’s okay! This is the wonderful and terrifying truth of our early 20s.

Dear Upset,

major element of luck involved. The best

alumni network — but it only works when

Before I offer any actionable advice, I

thing you can do is know yourself, know

you use it.

want to start by saying this: I know dozens

your strengths, know your goals, and be

I’ve found that the amount of resources

about my fear that I am on the wrong

and dozens of brilliant, creative, driven,

ready for opportunities that may come your

available to students at the Career Center is

career path is talking to people older than

successful seniors who have absolutely

way.

often very major-dependent. If you’re pre-

me to hear their reflections. Pretty quickly,

med or pursuing a career in business, there

you’ll find out that everyone you know who

are a lot of useful connections to be made.

appears to be so settled in their lives has

For other paths, you may have to advocate

had the same crisis that you are having right

for yourself a bit.

now, and those months you spent feeling

no idea where they will be working after graduation in May. It may feel like everyone

Throw tradition out the window

has a job, but you are undoubtedly not

There is absolutely, positively, 1000%,

alone. The question you are asking yourself

no “right” thing to do after college. I have

— what in the world am I doing after I

friends who are moving back home to job

The truth is, so many people get jobs

graduate — is much more universal than

search and friends who will be making six

based on connections, which can call to

you might think.

figures in consulting. Some are going back

mind images of nepotism or the wealthy

Something that makes me feel better

stressed will feel like nothing more than a minor roadblock in hindsight.

Clock out of the job search from time to time

As we inch closer to Commencement,

to work at their childhood summer camp

elite helping each other out. While that

here are some pieces of advice to keep in

and others are taking off on months-long

is definitely a reality, it’s also true that

mind:

backpacking trips. I know people doing

sometimes people just want to help out

Teach for America or the Peace Corps,

up-and-coming professionals who went to

make you a little cheated by this article

and plenty who are taking a few gap years

the same school as them.

— I already have a job lined up. But the

Perspective, perspective, perspective

At the start of this semester, I often

to work random jobs before they apply for graduate school.

I’m about to say something that might

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been

truth is, getting this job didn’t cure me of

nervous to send an unprompted LinkedIn

my existential woes the way I had always dreamed it would.

found myself caught in an endless scroll

What you do this summer does not

message to a stranger with a cool job, but

on my phone as I tried to go to sleep. No,

define what you do all year; what you

so many of those times resulted in an

I wasn’t on Instagram or TikTok. I was

do over the next year does not define the

interesting conversation — or even a referral

else entirely. I was no longer asking myself,

on LinkedIn. Every post I was seeing was

future of your career or your identity. My

to a hiring manager. The worst thing that

“Will I ever get a job,” but instead, “What if

either about someone I vaguely knew who

dad always tells me that as I get older, I will

can happen is that they say no, so don’t be

I hate this job? What if I can’t make friends

was achieving something that seemed

move somewhere and put down roots —

afraid to put yourself out there.

in a new city? What if college is the best

impossibly out of reach for me, or someone

get a job, fall in love, make lifelong friends,

lamenting the fact that absolutely no one is

have a few kids — and this is the time in

hiring right now.

my life when I am the most unrestricted.

Often, people are quick to jump to the

Don’t get me wrong, there is solace in

Life is long

Instead, that stress became something

it ever gets? Can I even live off such a low salary?”

This habit contributed to roughly half

While that might seem scary, it means that

phrase, “Life is short,” which can make

knowing your next move (sorry). But don’t

of my job stress. But then, the next day, I

it’s easier now than it will ever be again to

everything feel impossibly urgent. In many

trick yourself into imagining that getting a

would share my anxieties with my friends,

pick up and try something new. You can

ways, it is. Yet, at the same time, life is so

job is going to silence all of the stress that

and I slowly started to realize both that

embrace this by considering jobs or short-

long. If we’re lucky, we are all staring down

comes with this life transition. It’s human

the number of people who had jobs lined

term programs that might not necessarily

the barrel of another 60 to 70 years on this

nature to feel this way about all of our

up wasn’t so high, and that the job market

be what you imagined you would be doing.

planet. That means you have decades to

desires: If I could just get this one thing,

explore different career paths and find what

everything would be perfect — whether

really makes you happy. Don’t fool yourself

that’s a job, a relationship, a body type, or

by thinking that this next year of life is

a material object. But there is no singular

make or break.

object or concept that will make or break

wasn’t necessarily as rough as it seemed.

During your job search, the most

Networking is a necessary evil

important thing to remember is that

Asking strangers to hop on a phone call

comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t let the

to talk about their career path (and, more

narrative become that you have not worked

importantly, to help you find a job) can feel

I guarantee that, a year from now at

your life. Nothing is going to change the

hard enough, because you have no idea

disingenuous or awkward. Throughout my

alumni weekend, some of the people you

fact that we are all about to embark on a

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

47

part of our lives that is equal parts anxietyprovoking and liberating.

So, put your heart and soul into this job search (connect with me on LinkedIn anytime), but do your best to not allocate too much weight to it. You will find a job.

Maybe you will stay in St. Louis, maybe you will move back in with your parents, maybe you will move to a city you’ve never been to before. Maybe you’ll start at a company and spend 10 years there, maybe you’ll quit within six months. But whatever you do, you will be doing something out of your comfort zone, and you will learn something about yourself along the way.

In the meantime, be proud of yourself.

It’s not a throwaway achievement to have graduated from a prestigious, rigorous university and you shouldn’t treat it as such. Allow yourself to take a moment to bask in the pride of four years of hard work when graduation weekend comes around.

Take breaks from the frenzy of the search to appreciate this beautiful, brief moment in time we get to share with each other. You deserve it.

Love, Your Class of 2025 friends at Scene

Congratulations Class of 2025 We’ve known you by name and by story, and we’re cheering you across the finish line! Can’t wait to witness your next chapter unfold.

ELMA ADEMOVIC | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

48

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

ICONIC LOCATIONS ON CAMPUS Photos by Eran Fann

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

49

THE POP CULTURE THAT DEFINED OUR TIME ASTRID BURNS SPECIAL ISSUES EDITOR

As people emerged from pandemic hideouts in 2021, some of the most memorable pop culture moments occurred. From celebrity scandals to TikTok trends, these past years have seen it all.

Here’s a look back at some of the best, worst, and craziest pop culture moments from the past four years!

2021: Oprah interviews Harry and Meghan

Wordle Game developer Josh Wardle spent nearly a decade tweaking the game (origiemerged from him and his partner’s love of word games. After spending the pandemic

Starting their new lives as normal peo-

obsessively playing the New York Times’

ple after leaving the royal family, Prince

word games, Wardle dropped Wordle in

Harry and Meghan Markle did a tell-all

October 2021, creating an instantly viral

interview with Oprah. Harry and Meghan

hit. While family group chats may not still

dished about all of the royal drama. Their

be daily Wordle competitions in 2025, the

wedding, mental health, and allegations of

game remains popular and will likely be a

scandalous family drama sparked global

fan favorite for years.

discourse around the royal family. If you’ve ever quoted “Were you silent, or were you silenced?” you’ve quoted this iconic interview.

“Squid Game”

ANNA DORSEY | ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

nally titled Mr. Bugs’ Wordy Nugz) which

John Mulaney and Olivia Munn have a baby

four years. The trial sparked extensive debate

2022:

about #MeToo and raised attention to the

Will Smith’s Oscars slap

the clips of Jason Mamoa and the following

prevalence and severity of domestic violence. The most iconic part of this trial was TikTok edits. I didn’t think someone could act like that in a courtroom setting, but you

2022 started off with a shock as viewers of the 97th Academy Awards in March saw Will Smith slap host Chris Rock over a joke targeted at his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

learn something new every day.

Queen Elizabeth dies

Rock was obviously stunned as Smith came

In September, the world found out that

On Nov. 24, John Mulaney and Olivia

on stage and slapped him, and then yelled,

Queen Elizabeth II had died. I distinctly

Munn welcomed their first child, Malcolm,

“Keep my wife’s name out your f---ing’

remember screams erupting in my high

into the world. Many were confused by the

mouth!” The altercation shocked viewers.

school cafeteria as news began to spread.

Fans around the world were gripped by the

trajectory of this quickly-blossoming rela-

Some immediately took to social media to

While a death of old age was not surprising

release of Korean dystopian thriller “Squid

tionship and were still mourning his divorce

defend it as a prank, while others dissected

at 96, she was the longest-reigning British

Game” in September. The heart-wrenching

from Anna Marie Tendler, announced in

the clip to prove that this was an unscripted

monarch, serving for the entire lives of all

and terrifying story of a deadly competition

July, when news broke that he had a child.

interaction. Will Smith has since been

WashU students, and her death ushered in

became one of the most popular Netflix

Mulaney faced intense public backlash from

banned from attending any Academy Award

a new age. Although a tragic moment, her

shows at the time. Recently, “Squid Game”

confused fans as rumors of an affair began to

events for ten years.

death brought people together from around

is making a resurgence, with creators like

circulate, leading him to disable Instagram

Mr. Beast recreating the game (without kill-

comments and shrink from the spotlight.

ing people), a second (albeit less popular

Now, fans have begun to embrace their rela-

among audiences) season that came out in

tionship as Mulaney and Munn recently

December 2024, and a third and final season

married and had their second child.

set to be released in June 2025.

Johnny Depp trial In April, the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial over Depp’s defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife began. Thus began one of the most divisive moments from the past

the world, including one million who witnessed the funeral procession in London.

Trisha Paytas has a freaking baby, bro On Sept. 22, the world experienced the

50

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

most shocking thing ever: Trisha Paytas had

artists continued to get added. An impressive

worldwide — not without controversy, how-

a baby. Even crazier, Trisha took to social

feat of artistry with complex outfit changes

ever, as Ticketmaster scalping and concerns

media to announce that her daughter’s name

and three acts for the show, she grossed

over environmental impact brought back-

is Malibu Barbie, which is perhaps the most

$2 BILLION and boosted economies

lash. Nonetheless, it brought Swifties of all

ages together for the pure love of her music.

Roman Empire

iconic name ever. Some fans even began a

Who knew that the simple question of

running joke that Malibu Barbie was the

“How often do you think about the Roman

reincarnation

recently-departed

Empire?” would turn into a sprawling

Queen Elizabeth. While known largely

of

the

TikTok fad. Millions of users took to sharing

for her public feuds and controversies with

what their Roman Empire (something they

other internet personalities like Ethan Klein

are absolutely obsessed with) was. While

and Jeffree Star, and for her affiliation with

Latin and the Roman Empire have died out,

Colleen Ballinger, Trisha is now a devoted

memes exploded, and the Roman Empire

mother to her daughters Malibu Barbie and

became a dominant force once again.

Elvis and is currently pregnant with her third

Twitter gets renamed to “X”

child.

2023:

In October, Elon Musk bought Twitter in a $44 billion deal that shook up social

The neverending Eras tour starts

media. Many Twitter users mourned the loss of their app and the unique culture that

In 2023, Taylor Swift launched her monumental, generational tour that reflected on her entire career trajectory and celebrated the new renditions of her albums. The tour included 150 shows across five continents and constantly expanded as shows and

AMELIA SPENCER | DESIGN EDITOR

SAM FOX SCHOOL

The faculty and staff of the Sam Fox School celebrate your achievements and can’t wait to see what you do next.

CLASS OF 2025

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

51

came with it (and the iconic blue bird logo

“Challengers” (but let’s be honest, who

“Wicked”-sphere and becoming a wide-

bit anticlimactic. Users that had switched

that changed to a simple black-and-white X).

was watching it for the tennis). Although

spread inside joke.

over to Instagram reels struggled to adapt

Musk introduced X Premium, which allows

they faked being tennis players pretty

members to pay for special features, includ-

well, moviegoers became obsessed with

Brat summer

to a new platform and were relieved when they instinctively tapped on TikTok in the morning to a refreshed feed. Those

ing an increased character count of 2,500

the intense love triangle between Tashi,

and a blue check mark next to their account

Patrick, and Art. Challengers has had great

Ohhhhh, Brat summer. What a time to

who deleted the app had to wait to gain

handle.

longevity, with edits and discourse still cir-

be alive. Never has neon green had such

access to the app again. While the future

culating TikTok. I know the tennis ball

prominence. While some doubted that the

of TikTok is uncertain, the ban created a

getting placed into the center of the racket

tour would be successful because of their

unique sense of community online with

Gypsy Rose is freed After the extremely popular show “The Act” about Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s life went viral in 2019, her story (and crimes) faded into a memory. In December of 2023, however, Gypsy Rose was freed from

at the end of the movie will be seared in

similar markets and competing tours that

long-term users reflecting on the years and

my mind forever.

summer, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan gar-

big creators exposing their biggest scandals

nered so much attention and love through

or most-questioned secrets.

Holding space

their dynamic tour. “Brat” branding was everywhere, from billboards and shirts to

“Wicked” dominated the discourse in

Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

a Missouri prison, entering life with a new

the second half of 2024 as fans brimmed

While Brat summer came and went with

husband, Ryan Scott Anderson. Their rela-

with excitement for the newest adaptation.

the cold weather and falling leaves , it will

tionship has since ended, and Gypsy Rose

One of the most iconic moments from the

never be forgotten. The summer of 2024

is welcoming a daughter with her ex-fiance

press tour was the “holding space” inter-

will forever have the most memorable

Ken Urker.

view. Cynthia Erivo, who played Elphaba

branding and community.

2024:

“Challengers”

in the film, had a heartfelt (yet confused) reaction to finding out that people were apparently “holding space” for the movie (a phrase that has since left many con-

TikTok is banned… and then comes back

fused). The gentle Arianna Grande and

While not technically 2024, the TikTok

Zendaya as Tashi Duncan amassed

Cynthia Erivo finger hug has since become

ban was hyped up for so long that when it

critical acclaim or the sports-action film

a symbol of love and kinship, leaving the

got banned for not even 24 hours, it felt a

FREE AND OPEN TO ALL INSTALLATION VIEW OF SEEDS: CONTAINERS OF A WORLD TO COME, FEATURING ARTWORK BY BEATRIZ CORTEZ. PHOTO BY SUZY GORMAN.

BEA AUGUSTINE | DESIGN EDITOR

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD

OR I N E S FROM LETES: ATH Ruff n i m s a Y OUR F N NG O SHU I T C E REFL RS IN WA S YEA HLETIC AT

During the toughest times, when I was doubting myself and feeling unworthy, I kept my eyes on my goal. I had a sticky note on my desk that said, “National Champion.” Seeing it every day reminded me why I was doing this. I made a promise to myself: I would do everything I possibly could to achieve that goal. That way, even if I didn’t get there, I’d know I gave it my all, no regrets. So I kept training. And more importantly, I kept believing.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ooks r B a c i s Jes

How did you stay motivated in your sport during difficult times, especially when things weren’t going your way?

What is a piece of advice you received from a senior athlete?

The best piece of advice I received from a senior student athlete was my sophomore year, and one of

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Doyle n e d y a H

our seniors told me that I am more than a basketball player. I had just played a bad game and was really

What was one of the biggest challenges you faced as a student-athlete, and how did you overcome it?

frustrated with how I was playing, and she reminded me that I am more than an athlete. I am also a friend,

The number one motivator for me was my teammates and

daughter, sister, student, and so much more. Reminding yourself that your worth is not defined by your

coaches. Even on the days when I was struggling or our team

performance on the court was essential for me to keep believing in myself. I would give the same advice to

was struggling, I really tried to lean into my relationships. They

incoming first-year student-athletes, but I would also tell them to ENJOY EVERY MOMENT. Be present

gave me so much energy, and I always wanted to perform and

and appreciate the hard. The four years will fly by, and when it is all over, (hopefully) you’ll only wish you

win for my teammates and coaches.

had more time. Every hard day of practice, 6 a.m. lift, or cold ice bath is a moment shared with your team and eventually best friends, so enjoy, cherish, and soak it all in (even as cliché as it is).

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

WOMEN’S SWIM

MEN’S SOCCER Heger e n e g u E

What will you miss the most about being a collegiate athlete at WashU?

There’s nothing I will miss more than the feeling of walking down to the locker room after a win and celebrating with my teammates. That moment when the adrenaline is still pumping,

Isabella tos Barrien

What’s a piece of advice you have for incoming first-year student-athletes?

the sweat is still fresh, and the joy is shared without needing a single word, is unlike anything else. When you spend so much time training, sacrificing, and working alongside the same

My biggest piece of advice to first-years would be to give yourself some

group of people, those small moments of triumph become deeply meaningful. It’s not just

grace. Not everything will go your way, but as long as you keep trying

about winning a game; it’s about everything that led up to it — the early-morning lifts, the tough

to put one foot in front of the other, everything will work itself out. A

practices, the setbacks, and the support. I’ll miss that sense of brotherhood and the unspoken

positive mindset and outlook on life will help you succeed both in the

bond that comes from chasing a common goal day in and day out. Being a collegiate athlete at

classroom and in your sport.

WashU taught me what it means to truly commit to something bigger than myself, and it’s the relationships and shared experiences with my teammates that I’ll carry with me the longest.

WOMEN’S SOCCER iley Emma R an McGah

What is your favorite team-related memory from the last four years?

SOFTBALL Rossi Jordan

What will you miss the most about being a collegiate athlete at WashU?

Winning a national championship this past season is something that I will never forget,

What I’ll miss most about being a collegiate athlete at WashU is the

but I will always appreciate the little moments that I got to share with my teammates

competition and the environment of being surrounded by other athletes

throughout the past four years. The road trips, Jimmy John’s lunches, locker room chats,

who just get it. There’s something really special about being part of a

and “fun sock Fridays” are moments that I will carry with me forever. One of my most

community where everyone is pushing themselves — not just in their

special memories was being able to host the team for a dinner at my house in Atlanta.

own sport, but also in the classroom and beyond. I’ll miss the intensity

Sharing my WashU family with my entire family back home truly was a full-circle moment

of game days, the grind of practice, and even the early mornings, because

that reminded me that WashU will forever be my home away from home.

it all meant I was part of something bigger. Being around other driven, passionate athletes from different teams created a constant source of motivation and support that’s hard to find anywhere else.

PHOTOS BY: OLIVIA ZINNANI, ISABELLA DIAZ-MIRA, SCOTT ZARIDER, ASHER LUBIN, BEN GONDZUR

53

54

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Reliving the best WashU athletics moments over the last four years MATT EISNER LEWIS RAND RILEY HERRON MANAGING SPORTS EDITOR SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

placed first in the pole vault and WashU’s

Led by seniors Hayden Doyle and Drake

championship at the ITA Cup, becoming the

4x400 meter relay team claimed the Bears

Kindsvater, the Bears took care of their first

first WashU student-athletes to win the elite

third national title during the meet. The

two opponents on their home court before

tournament.

title marked what head coach Jeff Stiles

defeating two elite teams in Wisconsin

described as “a slow climb” for the team

to clinch a Final Four berth. Though

Over the past four years, WashU athletes

who during the then-seniors’ first year

the season ended in a loss to conference

have seen three national championships,

scored two points at the national meet.

champions New York University, the

two more Final Four appearances, and

The win marked the first national title for

tournament run brought the Bears back

professional sports debuts for former

WashU since 2022, and the first of two in

to Division III basketball’s championship

WashU standout athletes. Relive some of

2024.

weekend for the first time in 16 years.

the biggest moments from WashU athletics

Men’s Soccer UAA Title, 2021

over the past four years.

Women’s Soccer National Championship, 2024

In the fall of 2021 – the class of 2025’s first semester at WashU – the men’s soccer team won the UAA championship and

Bears in the Pros, 2024

In 2023 and 2024, WashU’s women’s

secured an automatic bid to the NCAA

For the first time in 49 years, a WashU alum

soccer team was a constant standout in

tournament. The Bears clinched their

played in one of the “Big 5” American sports

conference championship against their

leagues. On June 1, 2024, pitcher Ryan Loutos

bitter rivals, the University of Chicago. It

‘21 made his Major League Baseball debut with

was the first time that WashU men’s soccer

the St. Louis Cardinals, pitching a scoreless

Division III. Though their 2023 season ended in a 1-0 loss in the national championship game, the Bears’ season

Men’s Track and Field National Championship, Indoor 2022

had won a UAA championship since 1999.

inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. In

including a 15-game shutout streak to start

Two years after learning that their

Sergio Rivas scored the game-winning goal

three games with the Cardinals in 2024, Loutos

the season, a conference championship,

season was cancelled due to the Covid-

for WashU; it was the team’s first victory

did not give up a single run. Loutos’ former

a dramatic Elite Eight comeback, and a

19 pandemic, the WashU men’s track

over the Maroons in seven years. While the

teammate, second baseman Caleb Durbin ‘21,

penalty shootout win in the Final Four.

team returned to Winston-Salem, North

Bears couldn’t advance past the Round of

is currently one of the Milwaukee Brewers’

In 2025, the Bears were Division III’s best

Carolina to co-win the 2022 indoor track

32, the 2021 season was the most successful

top prospects. Durbin made his debut with

team all season long, earning the top spot

and field championships with UW-Eau

season that WashU men’s soccer has had

the Milwaukee Brewers on April 18, 2025

in the national rankings from the first week

Claire. WashU claimed first in the distance

this decade, finishing with a record of

becoming the 24th WashU player to play in the

of the season to the last. The team set

medley relay and then-junior Andrew

13-3-1.

major leagues.

program records in wins and single-season

Whitaker broke eight seconds in the 60m

shutouts and capped off their season with a

hurdles for the first time in his career

3-0 victory over William Smith College in

to claim the national title. WashU, who

the title game.

entered the meet ranked No. 16 in Division

campaign was filled with exciting moments,

III, surpassed all expectations to win Stiles’

Women’s Track and Field National Championships, Outdoor 2024 In May of 2024, the WashU women’s

While Durbin has yet to make his

A Year to Remember Women’s Tennis, 2024

professional debut at the time of publication, Durbin was traded from the New York Yankees to the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason for

After

missing

out

on

the

NCAA

top MLB closer and St. Louis native, Devin Williams.

first national title and the most recent title

tournament two seasons in a row, the WashU

by a WashU men’s team.

women’s not only punched their ticket, but

In addition to the two baseball standouts, two

hosted and won a regional to earn a berth

other Bears embarked on professional careers.

in the 2024 Elite Eight for just the sixth time

Andrew Whitaker ‘21, a football cornerback,

in program history. Led by Intercollegiate

briefly played in the NFL training camp

Tennis Association (ITA) Coach of the Year

with the Seattle Seahawks. Jack Nolan ‘22, a

Men’s Basketball Final Four, 2025

track team won their second outdoor track national championship in program history.

After a dramatic postseason run in 2024

Paige Madara, WashU’s women’s tennis team

standout on the WashU men’s basketball team,

Then-senior Emma Kelley, the fastest 800-

that included two overtime wins and a court

capped off a successful spring 2024 season

signed a contract with the Santa Cruz Warriors

meter runner in D-III history, led the No. 1

storming before ending in a Sweet 16 loss

with their highest end-of-season ranking ever,

of the NBA G-League but did not appear in a

ranked Bears winning both the 400m and

to the eventual national champions Trine

being named the 7th best team in Division III.

game. Finally, men’s soccer star Sergio Rivas ‘22

the 800m races which are separated by

University, men’s basketball played to the

In the fall, sophomore Eleanor Archer and

was a member of the inaugural St. Louis City

only one minute. Then-junior Yasmin Ruff

next level in the 2025 NCAA tournament.

first-year Caitlin Bui won the national doubles

SC development squad.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

55

Coaches’ letters to departing senior students CROSS COUNTRY/ TRACK & FIELD FOOTBALL will have learned more through your own perceived failures than your perceived successes. I pray that each of you are having a transformational experience through your time on the team whether you currently realize it or not. I am grateful for each person as you each SAM POWERS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER In 2024, women’s track and field won its second national championship.

2025 seniors, It is hard to believe that four years are almost over. Thank you for being an integral part of the WUXCTF family and leaving it better than when you arrived on campus. Each one of you has become a HIB (High-Impact Bear). While each one of you has a very different story, I hope everyone experienced what it

bring a unique skill set and personality.

Know that you are loved and have a special purpose ahead of you. Finally, remember you will always be a Bear, and I know each of you will continue to leave a lasting legacy everywhere you go.

Go Bears, Coach Fleagle, Freyling, Laker, Lincoff, Lohr, Reiter, Spanoudakis, Stiles, Williams, & Yabu

It has been a great pleasure and an honor to be your coach the last four

exciting future. More than anything, your confidence and determination have helped shape this program for championships in

years. Your excitement for our football program, your teammates, and the sport

the future. My hope for all of you is that beyond the wins and losses, you have

that you love has inspired our coaching

learned valuable lessons in toughness, perseverance, and teamwork. I hope that

Seniors,

staff. The leadership of your senior class allowed us to raise the level of play in this

the relationships built in your time as a

championships. I will forever appreciate the perspective and leadership you all

WashU Bear will last a lifetime.

Thank you for your belief, commitment, and efforts over the last four years. I look

provided on our team.

Your senior class helped to change

forward to your continued connection with the program and University in the

the perception of our program in a very challenging conference. Your efforts and commitment have resulted in a 30-10

coming years. Most of all, I look forward to seeing the exciting places your journey takes all of you in the future. You will always be a Bear!

Coach Keen

program and get closer to competing for

record over the last four full seasons. You have helped to lay the foundation for an

means to be a part of something bigger than yourself through two teams, one family. While this group has experienced unparalleled success with each gender winning an NCAA team title, I believe that over time you will come to realize that the success will not be what you remember, but the relationships. You

MEN’S TENNIS Stefan Hester — Mr. “Reliable.”

You are the most selfless person in our program. Some company will be lucky to have you on their team upon entering the workforce. We were so lucky you came to WashU for the 3-2 Engineering program..

Pato Garcia Muriel — Mr. “Doubles.” Keep closing the net and getting those returns back and you and Stef will be tough to beat in April and May. John Fakouri — Mr. “Comeback from any Injury.” Loved how you found a way to pre-rehab and postrehab, through it all, your four years at WashU. That never-give-up attitude will serve you well later in life.

Scott Yamamoto — Mr. “Energy Engineer.” Keep smiling and problem-solving your way through your Masters in Engineering and leading the Team to a strong finish at UAA’s. It will be great to have your little brother for the next four years too!

On behalf of Coach Alan, Coach Bob, Coach Frank, and myself: we appreciate all our four seniors’ dedication to the program and WashU. We know you all learned many valuable life lessons along the way that will serve you all well in the bright futures that lie ahead of each of you.

Go BEARS!!!

SYDNEY STROMINGER | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Kenvorris Campbell rushed for 72 yards as part of WashU’s 769-yard outburst against Millikin

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR Over the past four years, men’s tennis’ four-man senior class defeated multiple D-1 opponents.

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL To my incredible senior class,

who have become like sisters. Your

I want to express my deepest

guidance and leadership have been invaluable, and it will be challenging

gratitude for welcoming a new coach into your lives for your senior year.

I am incredibly grateful for the love, trust, transparency, and leadership you have shown me this season.

Jessica Brooks and Brenna Loftus, you are truly remarkable! You have led this team with pride and purpose, leaving an indelible mark on our program. WashU women’s basketball has a tradition of excellence both on and off the court, and you both have

to replace you. You held our team to a high standard, ensuring that everyone was held accountable. The locker room was always clean, and the standards for practice, games, and travel were enforced. Your leadership has helped maintain the culture of our program. You went the extra mile to help teammates in need, and the memories of your rides to the airport, appointments, and grocery

upheld that legacy.

I cherish the memories we’ve made

store runs will always be cherished.

You have been and will always be a

during our captains’ meetings and our coffee dates. But the most precious gift has been the daily interactions we’ve shared and the unbreakable bonds we’ve formed. These relationships

key component of how we do things at WashU. You have set a standard of excellence for our Bear Family.

Thank you, Jessica and Brenna, for representing WashU with the utmost

Graduate student Jessica Brooks goes up for a contested layup.

will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I am truly thankful for the care you’ve taken of your teammates,

class. WashU women’s basketball is forever grateful for both of you and will miss you dearly.

As your head coach, I will miss you

incredibly thankful for you.

Go out there and be great, Jess and Brenna! Your future awaits you!

Thank you both, and all the best in

SAM POWERS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

both, but I will always be here for you. You have touched my life in a profound way, and I love you. I am so

your future endeavors. Once a Bear, always a Bear, B4L! With love, Coach Stone

MEN’S BASKETBALL Hayden, Drake, Kyle, What a journey you have taken us on! It began during the pandemic with recruiting Zoom calls and campus visit meetups in Forest Park.

We built trust in a strange time with limited direct interaction. We never could have imagined the inspiring yet heartbreaking dichotomy of your freshman year. The gift of learning from Justin, and now carrying forward his legacy, is an awesome responsibility we all enthusiastically share. You have had your own developmental journey as athletes and young men. While you possess unique personalities, a common thread runs through you. Your passion for the game and your competitive fire were evident each day. Our team ethos states that “good teams have good players, but great teams have great teammates.” Not only did you live this, through your actions you have put your stamp on it. The success of your teams speaks for itself, winning

74% of your games while earning the right to host NCAA tournament games all four years. Each of you had a distinct style and contribution on the floor. Kyle’s ability to make difficult shots with defenders chasing him, Drake’s explosive attacks on the rim and Hayden’s cold-blooded confidence in any circumstance. Each of you has been a critical piece of our team mosaic. Our final journey together was incredible. Leading your team to the D-III Final Four is an exclamation point and legacy defining accomplishment. This did not happen by luck, it was earned through hard work, learning from failure and good old-fashioned grit. You are destined to continue impacting the teams and communities you join after graduation. Your positive energy and commitment to team will be legacies BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR you leave at every stop. Love you First-year Connor May slams a dunk home over Rhodes. Men’s basketball advanced fellas! to the Final Four in the 2024-25 season for the first time since 2008-09.

One fist!

Coach Juckem

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

SWIM & DIVE

57

SOFTBALL

To our men’s and women’s swimming & diving graduates (Isabella Barrientos, Devin Bunner, Caroline DeLuca, Jeff Forbes, Pace Edwards, Kai Garren, Ryan Hillery, Nathan Lin, Alice Mao, Noa Miller, Elliot Polikowski, Justin Rockaway, Riya Sahota, Danny Sibley, Roslyn Tischke, Kyle Wolford, Austin Bick, Abbey Mink, Rin Iimi)

Thank you, Bears! Since arriving on the campus, you have helped our program grow and have provided tremendous leadership along the way. You have dealt with adversity and grown stronger as young men and women. I would like to thank you for your guidance, dedication, and commitment to Washington University and our swimming & diving team.

Your decision to attend Washington University has provided you a quality academic degree and memories of a competitive NCAA swimming & diving experience. You never slept enough but came back the next day anyway. You cheered for and supported each other because that is what good friends and teammates do. As you progressed through your

college years, you touched the lives of everyone you came in contact with, including coaches, faculty, alumni, teammates, and classmates.

As you leave Washington University, you should take with you the knowledge that you are prepared to meet life’s challenges head-on. You set high goals for yourselves and for our team and didn’t stop until you achieved them.

You will always be a champion WashU Bear!

Continue to set your expectations high and expect the best in everything you do. We are proud of what you have accomplished and look forward to seeing where you will go after leaving WashU. You are forever a part of the Washington University family and we are excited about your continued involvement now that we can proudly call you alumni.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. BATTLE ON! Brad Shively Head Swimming & Diving Coach

Class of 2025, where do I even begin? There are no words for the impact you’ve made, but I will try.

Your passion, humor, and leadership will be greatly missed by not just your teammates, but our athletic department and Uuniversity. You all have gone above and beyond what was ever expected of you and shaped this program and made a difference in this Uuniversity. Many of you have served a leadership role whether it be on the team, athletic department, on campus or beyond.

You’ve used your skills to make graphics for the department, paint in the tunnel to the South 40Forty,

mock-up uniforms to make us look great, intern, peer tutor, TA, lead mental health events, sit on SAAC leadership, and so much more. You took on more than you needed and took care of each other along the way. I am so proud of the way you have always supported each other, in tough exam weeks, early mornings at Lambert, and so much more. I have no doubt you all are going to make a difference in the world, as you have already made a difference in mine.

Forever grateful to know and love each one of you.

CC

YIWEN ZHA | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Senior Brooke Capparelli, part of softball’s seven-woman senior class, at bat.

BRI NITSBERG | MANAGING PHOTO EDITOR Men’s swim and dive competes against St. Louis University.

58

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

VOLLEYBALL capitalized on every opportunity since

Thank you for letting me be a small part

WOW… How have four years gone by already!! I think back to your recruiting

you stepped foot on this campus. It has been so fun to watch you all work

of your journey. I appreciate it more than

process and how unique and crazy it was. We sure got to know each other well

towards the goals you have set for

that year over Zoom! I couldn’t be more

I put in front of you and taught the others around you how to step up and do the

Volleyball seniors ---

grateful you chose WashU. Even though you all entered your university experience on the heels of COVID, you really have

yourselves. You accepted every challenge

same. I know it wasn’t always easy, but I hope you had some fun along the way!

you will ever know! I wish you the best of luck in your next adventure. Just know… you are ready, you are prepared, and you are capable! Gamble on yourself, I know I would! Congrats! Proud of you! Visit us whenever you’d like!

-Coach Walby aka … Vanessa

SAM POWERS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior Zoe Foster, sophomore Leah Oyewole, and junior Sam Buckley celebrate during East-to-West Battle.

WOMEN’S TENNIS Dear Carolyn —– aka Carl, Ainsley, and Randi, Thank you for all your amazing contributions over the last four years!

Thank you for trusting the process back during the uncertain times of your recruiting process, believing in what we could accomplish together at WashU, and choosing to be a BEAR. I have greatly enjoyed each day and season with you and all the crazy highs and lows we have taken on together.

While not every moment was easy, each of you showed incredible grit and perseverance to overcome adversity and bring your best to our team — leading our program to new heights on the national level.

I will always remember our van rides, conversations over meals, laughs on and off the court, Randi’s splits when running out for a wide ball, Carl’s scrappy, never-give-up mentality in points, and Ainsley’s on-court

celebrations. Through it all, you have each left an indelible mark on our program and left this program in a better place than you found it. We will miss you next year, but I know you will be amazing in your next steps!

Thank you, senior Bears! Remember, once a Bear, always a Bear — welcome to the WashU Bears alumni group and see you soon!

RAWR forever, Coach Madara

ISABELLA DIAZ MIRA | PHOTO EDITOR

Women’s tennis had their best season in program history in 2024.

Congratulations Class of 2025.

Thank you for the contributions you’ve made to the WashU community, and we know you will light the way to a brighter future.

– Y O U R T E A M I N U N D E R G R A D U AT E A D M I S S I O N S , ST U D E N T F I N A N C I A L S E R V I C E S A N D T H E CO L L E G E P R E P P R O G R A M

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

59

MEN’S SOCCER Graduating seniors,

past and the future, ensuring that the culture

Bear. Whatever is next on your journey,

I want to take a moment to express my

you helped build continues to thrive. The

whether it’s graduate school, careers, or new

gratitude for everything you have given to

legacy you leave, both on and off the field,

adventures… you will always be welcome

this program. Your dedication, leadership,

will inspire the next group of WashU soccer

here. Come back to visit, stay in touch, and

and passion have left a mark on WashU

players.

take pride in all you’ve accomplished.

men’s soccer. Many of you had to navigate

When

vision

On behalf of the entire WashU soccer

the recruiting process during COVID, then

of the program, we spoke of building

program, thank you for your hard work,

turned around and had one of the best

lifelong relationships and graduating with

your camaraderie, and the memories we’ll

seasons in program history in 2021. This

tremendous pride in this University and

cherish. We can’t wait to see what you

year you welcomed a new coaching staff,

soccer program. As you move forward,

achieve next.

and your leadership during this time has

know that your connection to this program

All the best,

been invaluable. You’ve helped bridge the

doesn’t end here. Once a Bear, always a

Andrew Bordelon

we

spoke

about

the

ISABELLA DIAZ MIRA | PHOTO EDITOR Graduate student Owen Culver on the attack against Case Western. Culver was part of the men’s soccer squad that won a UAA title outright in 2021.

WOMEN’S SOCCER A WIN! The national championship

then living through major changes in the

coach. Each moment was special and

is the pinnacle of a NCAA student-

NCAA landscape of the transfer portal,

memorable for the coaches and the team.

athlete’s career.

I am extremely proud

NIL, and roster caps, these women have

To you 10, as you move forward, trust

of the 2024 women’s soccer family for

set a new bar for camaraderie and love.

yourself and your preparation. You are

embodying everything it means to be a

They welcomed similar and new faces,

truly remarkable and will succeed.

scholar-champion while living through

Katie, Ally, Sid, and Sam, to their 2024

Bears for life,

Hardy RIC. Our seniors, Meryl, Nicole,

journey. As these 10 players finish their

Your proud coach

Olivia, Sara, Gaelen, Emma Riley, have

eligibility and walk off Natty Champs,

transcended our program. Being recruited

they leave so much more. I could not

in the middle of a global pandemic and

be more proud and humbled to be their

ISABELLA DIAZ MIRA | PHOTO EDITOR 2024 national champions, WashU women’s soccer, celebrate a goal in the NCAA tournament.

60

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

St. Louis pro sports overview HANNAH MUCH

St. Louis Cardinals:

JUNIOR SPORTS EDITOR

The St. Louis Cardinals ended their 2024 season in late September with a record of 83

St. Louis Blues:

wins and 79 losses, failing to make the playoffs.

In 2024-25, the St. Louis Blues had their

The Cardinals started off their 2025 season in

best season in three years, making the playoffs

late March and so far have a 9-13 record. That

for the first time since 2022. This season, the

is not a strong start to the season, but they will

Blues set a new franchise record, winning 12

have the opportunity to turn things around,

games in a row — the longest win streak across

hopefully when students come back in the fall.

the NHL this season. They finished the season

Notable Athletes:

with a record of 44-30-8 and won the first wild card in the Western Conference.

Proud University City native, Olympic gold

St. Louis City SC:

medalist, five-time NBA All-Star, and four-

St. Louis City SC, which ended its 2024-25

time All-NBA selected basketball player Jayson

season in October, ranked 12th in the MLS

Tatum put in a bid to get a WNBA expansion

western conference. The 2025-26 season

team in St. Louis. After the Boston Celtics’

started in March and will go until next fall.

NBA Championship win, he hopes to defend

They have only played nine games this far,

the NBA title over the summer.

winning two, losing four, and tying three. As of now, they are ranked 11th in the western conference of the MLS, but a lot can change because it is still early in the season.

ANNA DORSEY | ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

Six degrees of spontaneity KATIE HANSON

through class who knows Cece through a

STAFF WRITER

different class who knows Sara from freshman

Of course, there’s validity to this. I’m

oversaturated with adieus.

year who knows Om from Whispers who

devastated to say bye to the professors I

The best part of WashU is the DUC benches.

quite frankly knows everyone. This tangled-up

consider mentors. It’s heartbreaking to think

On a sun-soaked, concrete-shining day, the side

proximity lends itself to the daily (sometimes

I won’t have another roommate gab night

entrance to the DUC gives an Italian piazza

several times a day) introduction. And darling,

turned quasi-sleepover in our living room.

a serious run for its money. Sort of like the

these introductions land in your lap and pile up

And, it’s gut-wrenching to imagine not being

mingling of young merchants and robed nobles,

in front of the DUC benches.

able to walk a few blocks and sing a jingle to

the DUC’s square is home to the spontaneous

Just last week, I had one of these picture-

buzz into a friend’s apartment. Sandwiched in

“collab.” Looking at a computer in these sunny

framed memories. After Archaeology, my

all these goodbyes, I would make a plea to add

conditions is close to unthinkable and honestly

cluster of classmates made a pit stop at the

space for one more farewell: the six degrees of

near-impossible. Instead, eager first-years and

DUC, instead of our usual splintered commute.

spontaneous time spent. I know this is clunky,

a-little-more-relaxed seniors alike slouch across

Two hours later, we were still there. We stopped

so let me explain.

benches and simply talk to whoever.

someone’s Creative Writing classmate who sat

If it’s not already obvious, I love a stranger.

and shot random questions in the air to a close

RACHEL BENITEZ-BORREGO | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Benches in the DUC courtyard.

The “whoever” aspect makes the whole

down to tell us about his winning intramural

Even more than a stranger, I love a close-to-

stranger/faraway acquaintance, I felt closer to

ordeal even better. Given that this square is the

team and another who explained the labor of

stranger who has been pre-vetted by the people

all of WashU and its trillions of corners. If I

long-winded entrance to the actual cafeteria

dying their hair pink. A little later on, I went to a

I adore. Leaving WashU is also walking away

never saw the person again, all the better. It was

and computer-legible interior, the throngs

Super Serious Business Meeting and came back,

from the intense proximity (ahem, six degrees of

through its temporariness that the moment was

of students act as a slow-motion greeting

only to see a new crew. The beauty of it all!

separation) and frequency of these unplanned

so valuable.

committee, dropping “hi’s” and “byes” that

from

interactions (see the spontaneity part). These

College is the same. In being fleeting, it is

quickly transform into “but actually, how are

this institution is also a graduation from the

random moments have often been the most

imperfect and rare and oh-so-special. The

you?” and “do you have any grapes?”

micro-institutions (farewell, DUC benches).

tender and delightful parts of my entire college

so-called six degrees of spontaneity may come

The WashU web is a happy conduit for this

Graduating is a dramatic, drawn-out goodbye.

experience. It was through these conversations

again in a certain corner of a big city park or

collab. It’s no secret that we’re all connected to

(This is our second-to-last Thursday studying

that I shook hands with peers who became

your company’s intramural pickleball team or

each other through six degrees (or less!). I know

in Whispers at 1:04 p.m., goddamnit!) There

fully-fledged friends. Even if the moment never

the museum you visit monthly. But it won’t exist

Leah through orientation who knows Regan

are so many micro-goodbyes that the whole

expanded to anything more, it was perfect on its

in this same way again. And yes, that’s worth

through her roommate who knows Varnika

last few months is overwhelming and frankly

own. Each time that I leaned back on my hands

grieving. But it’s also worth celebrating.

Devastatingly,

graduating

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

On the value of having senior friends (as a junior) ZACH TRABITZ INVESTIGATIVE NEWS EDITOR

61

It was at this meeting where I met two people: a guy named Avi and a girl named Lily.

I got paired with them often to work on

This graduation cycle feels bittersweet for me

news stories, and what started as awkward

even though I’m a junior. The majority of my

conversation starters burgeoned into lively

close friends are seniors — a fact often pointed

conversation. Now, two years later, they are

out to me as something strange. I’m not quite

some of my closest friends. I’ve laughed with

sure how I ended up with so many friends in

them, gone out with them, and traveled with

the grade above me, but I know I’m glad I did.

them — even though I’m a grade below and

Having the mentorship of so many people

almost two years younger.

who are taking such different paths in life has

Of course, this isn’t revolutionary. Tons of

been both paralyzing and inspiring. Getting to

people are friends with people in other grades.

cheer on my friends when they get accepted into

But what I’m here to say is that you need to

grad school or get their dream job is a unique

value these friendships, and these people,

experience — one of such overwhelming joy

because they will teach you things. Things you

and second-hand-happiness that it’s hard to

wouldn’t think you could learn from friends,

explain.

like how to handle difficult conversations, how

Since this is Finish Line, I’ll talk a bit about

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACH TRABITZ

to “be an adult,” and how to navigate LinkedIn

Zach (center) and two of his senior friends, Avi Holzman (left) and Lily Taylor (right).

job applications.

who had such rippling impacts on my life. Most

anyone that passes through. For me, allowing

StudLife office for a news meeting, I was so

For more basic things, Lily drove me to

importantly, they showed me how to live a little,

myself to get so close to people — even

scared I felt like vomiting. I was so nervous

grocery stores and taught me how to shop for

not only as someone trying to get a job or get

though they’ll inevitably graduate before me

that I wouldn’t talk to anyone, or that I’d talk

myself, and Avi taught me how to toss a frisbee

into grad school after WashU, but enjoy the

— was one of the best decisions of my life.

too much and say the wrong thing, or that some

and to chill out when I’m stressed about classes.

moments that make up every individual day.

combination of the two would happen and I’d

Now, whenever I find myself in a Trader Joe’s

You can’t choose who falls into your

never come back to the newspaper.

or tossing around a disc, I think of these people

life. You can, though, open yourself up to

Student Life. The first time I walked into the

And I encourage you to do the same.

62

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

A C R O S S

2 1 ALEX NICKEL

to write a book titled “My Life as a Chicken,”

to try making my own mini crosswords.

While it’s entertaining to see peoples’

STUDENT LIFE’S FOUNDING CROSSWORD EDITOR

a piece of narrative fiction inspired by a “60

After a few months of practice and many

hubris clash with reality, I can’t help but think

Minutes” segment I’d seen on chicken farming.

unsalvageable puzzles, my crosswords began

of all the times I’ve reacted to my puzzles

I remember writing pages upon pages of this

appearing weekly in Student Life. I once heard

in the same way. Perhaps someday this

My quest to find a fulfilling hobby began

book over the span of a few hours. I ended

a crossword creator (crosswordian?) say that a

stress will cause me to grow tired of making

in the first grade, when my parents signed me

that day feeling smugly proud of all that I’d

good crossword makes the solver feel smart. I

crosswords. Maybe I’ll give up the hobby

up for after-school soccer. At the ripe young

accomplished.

love this philosophy, and I try to incorporate it

entirely and move on to writing haikus on an

age of seven, I hadn’t yet developed interests

I recently revisited this writing, and to my

into my puzzles. My mini is also a good outlet

uncharted mountain. But for the time being,

or skills or a general ability to discern between

surprise, my novel was not the masterpiece

for me to bug people about whatever art or

I can’t seem to escape from the crossword

the activities I liked and didn’t like. To remedy

I remembered it to be. The book begins with

pop culture I’m interested in that week, be it

rabbit hole.

this shortcoming, my family and I agreed to

“Chapter 1: That Date”: “Ahhhh. I remember

David Bowie or Wes Anderson or “Arrested

enroll me in whatever generic sport was located

that date, December 31 2000. That’s the day

Development.”

closest to our suburban San Diego home and

I started my journey. Oh I forgot to introduce

Creating a mini crossword is deceptively

crosswords. Every crossword I’ve made is

pray that it would stick.

myself. My name is Winston. Winston the

simple, so other people are often convinced that

now available to play at games.studlife.com,

Last semester, I worked with a small team of people to build a website for Student Life’s

It didn’t take long for me to realize

Chicken.” It’s not the most compelling prose,

they themselves would be brilliant crossword

and a new mini crossword is published on the

athleticism was not my strong suit. Before my

but I suppose everyone must start somewhere.

creators (crossworders?) if they ever actually

website daily. While graduating from WashU

first soccer practice, I’d spent the day watching

In the following fifteen pages — which I

sat down and tried. On a few occasions, people

marks the end of my time at Student Life,

“The Magic School Bus,” and I had more

assumed was the average length of a novel at

have found a scrap of paper and started making

I’m comforted knowing that I’m able to leave

interest in pretending that I myself was a part

the time — Winston can be seen in chapters

one in front of me, charging boldly ahead

the crossword department in Rena Cohen’s

of the television show than I did in memorizing

like “Chapter 2: Hatching Up Trouble” and

with an overconfidence akin to the Titanic’s

capable hands.

soccer’s seemingly arbitrary rules. During

“Chapter 3: A Japan Adventure.”

captain on its maiden voyage. They’ll perk up

I don’t know exactly where my post-grad

games, I would emulate Mrs. Frizzle herself; as

Now in my twenties, my fascination with

when their first few words fit together nicely,

life will lead me, but I look forward to seeing

I approached the soccer ball, I’d yell her classic

the written word has evolved into an obsession

acting like they’re an intrepid explorer who just

how my passion for crosswords evolves as

phrases like “Seatbelts everyone!” or “Okay

with the New York Times Mini Crossword.

discovered new land. But, as they add more

I do. I’m proud to be a crossword creator

bus, do your stuff!” and then kick the ball in

Produced by crossword creator (crosswordist?)

and more words and begin to realize all the

(cruciverbalist, apparently), and I wish I could

whatever direction my little heart desired.

Joel Fagliano, the mini is a five-by-five

little incompatibilities, they will cope in one of

reach through time and tell my seven-year-old

Needless to say, my coaches weren’t fond

crossword published daily since August 21,

three ways:

self that my quest to find an enjoyable hobby

of these antics. They soon moved me to the

2014. I learned about the mini crossword late

position of goalie, but my new role did little to

into my first year of college. By the end of my

the crossword (“Why does a mini

conceal my lack of athletic ability. Whenever

freshman summer break, I had solved each of

crossword have to be a five-by-five grid?

the ball was on the other end of the field during

the 3,300+ puzzles. Occasionally, I’ll mention

matches, I’d simply sit down. With my legs

that I’ve solved every New York Times Mini

crossed, I didn’t bother standing up until the

Crossword to people. They often respond like

words are words (“I swear AFBAC is a

opposing players got close enough to the goal

this fact is impressive, but it’s really just a sign

word. I heard someone use it last week.

for them to actually shoot. In my defense, I was

I was unemployed. The fastest I’ve ever solved

correct in my assumption that the other puny

a mini crossword was when I did the February

first graders were not, in fact, strong enough

14, 2017 puzzle. I’m sure plenty of happy

to score on me from the other end of the field,

couples celebrated a lovely Valentine’s Day in

but I don’t think this was a very compelling

2017, but that day will forever live in infamy as

argument to my coaches.

the day I solved the mini in eight seconds.

In an attempt to motivate me, my parents

I now use the mini crossword as a personal

promised to take me to Borders Bookstore (a

predictor for how my day will go, an astrology

now-forgotten relic of 2008 America) and buy

of sorts. If I can solve the day’s mini in under

me a book of my choosing if I stayed standing

twenty seconds, it’s a sign from God himself

for the entire game. It was at that moment

that I will bring fortune and good luck to

when we realized that my passions more likely

everyone I meet. If the puzzle takes me longer

lie with the written word than on the athletic

than forty seconds, God has put a curse on my

field.

family name, and it’s best to not leave the house

As long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed writing. When I was nine years old, I set out

that day.

In my sophomore year of college, I decided

1.

They change the dimensions of

Can’t it be an elegant seven-by-three?”)

2.

They start insisting words that are not

I think it’s an acronym.”)

3.

They give up.

has reaped great rewards.

Alex’s Crossword Corner

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

The Finish Line Crossword ACROSS 1 Former college seniors 6 Actress Zellweger of "Bridget Jones's Diary" 7 Japanese car brand with the slogan "Zoom-Zoom" 8 Input a phone number, say 9 James Bond, e.g.

DOWN 1 Sleeve filler 2 Detectives and salesmen follow them 3 Take off a hoodie, maybe 4 Time for self-care 5 Brookings emblem that WashU seniors may step on after graduating

Crossword by Alex Nickel 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

See answers on page 75!

63

64

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Colors of WashU

ELLA GIERE | PHOTO EDITOR GABRIELLA CULLEN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ALEXANDRA ACEVEDO | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

ISABELLA DIAZ-MIRA | PHOTO EDITOR

ELLA GIERE | PHOTO EDITOR

ELLA GIERE | PHOTO EDITOR

SAM POWERS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

To the people I never met Katie Hanson | Staff Writer

At transfer orientation, they gave each of

could add to the map. Laughing fits of friends

us a thick packet. The pages prompted us to

outside the gingko trees, professors rushing

write our goals for WashU and reflect on what

to class alongside students keeping pace in an

we wanted in our abbreviated time. To me, the

important conversation, roommates getting

most important section was the map. Like an

hushed on the third floor of the library for

overeager dad on vacation, I ripped it out and

talking a little too loud. When I experience these

annotated it. Walking around campus, I would

nuggets of secret joy throughout the day, they’re

flatten the paper against a wall and write notes

easily my highlight. They define my WashU

in jagged handwriting. Everything seemed

experience.

important. Looking back on my notes, most

It brings me comfort to know everyone

of them are laughable now. I wrote “DUC =

around me is constantly immersed in their

Danforth University Center” near Mudd Field

own version of these moments. A million

and “Whispers is not actually quiet” across the

micro-universes of memories exist in every

box representing Olin Library.

corner on campus. If we wrote every single

Even without the vacation-style binoculars

one of them down, the map would be covered

around my neck or a sweater tied across my

in indecipherable layers of ink, blanketing the

shoulders, I carried the map everywhere for the

buildings themselves.

first two weeks. I wanted to get to know WashU

In four years, let alone the two I had,

as soon as possible, store the map in a reachable

it’s impossible to meet everyone and learn

place, and refer back to it at any point. I used

about their overflowing bucket of moments.

the map so much it started to get soft and folded

The infinite nature of these everyday, neon

like fabric.

memories is what colors WashU and makes

Soon enough, what started as a pragmatic,

it so bright. One person walks by the Schnuck

expedited approach to learning the school

Pavilion and thinks of the time they lost their

turned into a long-form bit. Other transfer

keys there and a team of cafe-goers initiated

students knew me for my map and within a

a search. Another thinks of the strawberry

few weeks, a comically large thunderstorm

smoothie they shared with a classmate. A third

turned the map into a drenched handful with

thinks of their energizing first day of work on

nonsensical ink bleeding across the drawings of

the second-floor office.

campus.

65

BEA AUGUSTINE | DESIGN EDITOR

Each class of new students, each semester,

Two(ish) years later, I don’t need the map, but

and each singular day welcomes hundreds more

I wish I still had it. Several times a day, I pass

of these memories across campus. A map could

people or events or slim moments that I wish I

never keep up.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE HANSON

66

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Finding Home Odessa Buell | Staff Writer

to reunite with their close friends and longdistance partners. At the time, WashU felt like nothing more than a boarding school, my new house felt foreign and isolated, and my hometown that I missed so dearly felt like a part of my past no matter how tightly I clung to it.

Looking back at my feelings from my first year as a senior feels surreal. I feel so blessed to have had the experiences and met the people I have throughout my time here. I’ve learned

PHOTO COURTESY OF ODESSA BUELL

that home is many places, and also isn’t a place at all. It’s sharing a laugh or a smile with the

I’ve spent this entire year patiently waiting for

people that you love, it’s feeling comfortable

it to hit me that my time at WashU is quickly

enough to be bored, it’s a growing pain that

coming to an end. It still hasn’t, and I doubt that

carries meaning and hardship, and it’s having

it will until next fall when I don’t return.

the courage to move on to what’s next.

Throughout my life, I’ve always enjoyed

To freshman Odessa — you did so good.

movement and change — a quality in line with

There’s no handbook for how to handle the

my namesake, Odysseus. For the most part, I’ve

difficulties of life, and frankly, I’m quite proud

been lucky that change often comes when I’ve

of how you did. I think you’d like how we

welcomed it, although not always.

turned out.

The beginning of my college experience

To future Odessa — do as you always have:

marked many drastic and unexpected changes.

surround yourself with good people who you

The adjustment to college alone was hard; my

want to learn from and remember to give

family had just moved, my relationships were

yourself grace — it’s your first time doing any

changing, and I had a difficult time pinpointing

of this. Remember to cherish the little moments

where I called home — an inconvenient

as they happen, and I can’t wait to be you one

trigger when 80% of the conversations I was

day.

having involved, “Where are you from?” Over

Leaving this home feels bittersweet, but it’s

fall break during my first year, I struggled

given me everything that I could’ve asked of

through a mix of joy and jealousy for my new

it — and vice versa. I urge current and future

friends who were returning to the comfort of

students to let WashU be a part of their homes

their childhood bedrooms and were excited

too.

Thankful for WashU

PHOTO COURTESY OF NINA GIRALDO Former Editors`-In-Chief Avi Holzman (left) and Nina Giraldo (right) pose together in the Student Life Newspaper Office.

Nina Giraldo | Former Editor-In-Chief When I think back to Bear Beginnings

I now feel grateful for in one way or another.

When I think back on my four years, I

don’t think my first-year self would even

and my first weeks of college, I can hardly

The truth is, I didn’t know who I was my

think about my friends. I think about the

grasp how proud she would be if she met

pinpoint a single memory. I remember the

first year of college. Being thrust so suddenly

meals we’ve cooked together, the cuddles,

me today. I’ve learned my passions (thank

chatter of students at night on the basketball

into a totally new routine, place, and group

the late-night study sessions where none

you, StudLife) and that my best friends are

courts, the chaos of speaker events, and

of people, I seemed to lose a lot of who I felt

of us are really studying. No education

the goofiest. I’ve even learned romantic love.

the excitement I felt at the prospect of

I was from back home (I no longer danced

could teach me what my friends here have,

While I may not have thought so at the time,

new friends. I remember the exhaustion of

ballet as much as I did, and I suddenly

whether it be to laugh at myself when I

I am grateful for all of it — all of the perfect

extroversion, the smell of heat in the Dauten

purported myself to be an extrovert). I’ve

make a mistake or to flip an egg with one

days and the disastrous ones, too. I hope that

stairwells, and a goodbye to my parents that

found out a lot about myself over these

hand (still working on that one). Many of

you all can be as well.

ended with a brisk walk so they wouldn’t see

four years, and I’ve also realized (rather

them I met by coincidence, and I’ll spend

To the first-year Nina who was “nervous”

me cry (some things never change). “I’m

hesitantly) that a lot of me is the same.

the rest of my life talking to as many people

about coming to college, and the Nina who

nervous and overwhelmed,” I wrote in my

Unlike high school, I now value friendship

as I can in hopes of exposing myself to a

is now leaving it: If the outside world is as

diary on the first day of college. “I feel loved

over nearly anything else; like high school,

potential friendship that I otherwise would

wonderful as this one, I think you’ll be all

and wanted,” I wrote on my third. It’s safe

I am still working on my sense of time and

have missed.

good to go.

to say that, like that first week, college has

punctuality (Why can’t I just leave earlier?

been an emotional whirlwind — all of which

The world will never know).

For all of my strengths, weaknesses, and most importantly my strengths, I honestly

Love, Nina Giraldo

Scene ya later!

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

67

Alice Gottesman | Former Managing Scene Editor

SAM POWERS | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Aliana Mediratta (left), Alice Gottesman (middle), and Nina Giraldo (right) at the Activities Fair holding up newspapers highlighting Scene and News.

I’ve always been taught to use my

features, profiles, arts and entertainment,

StudLife office that night that I watched

seek out underrepresented perspectives,

words, and it’s made me comfortable

event coverage, and columns are capable of.

election results come in. And it’s with

to elevate progressive causes, and to fight

with conversation — maybe even too

Scene inspires me to approach college life

the editorial board team that I crafted a

back against censorship. Now more than

comfortable. I have no issue talking to

creatively, to dig deeper, and to take time

response the next night. Just as much as

ever, it’s imperative to have empathy

strangers, making a phone call, or asking

to tell stories in the best way possible. The

StudLife has been my community, it’s been

for complete strangers — odds are, you

questions. It’s almost funny, then, that

section has grounded me in campus life and

my platform. Using the paper as a space to

actually have something in common.

it took me until college to wind up at a

culture unlike any other commitment I’ve

advocate for students, accountability, and

Scene is ultimately about people —

newspaper.

made during my WashU tenure, and has

change has been a privilege I take seriously

from WashU students to St. Louisans to

and deeply appreciate.

researchers to artists. It’s about sharing

But Student Life made up for lost time,

introduced me to the multifaceted corners

gradually occupying more and more space

of the community I may never have known

on my Google Calendar, drawing me to

otherwise.

To me, Student Life is not just about

their stories, their achievements, their

using my words, but what my words stand

challenges, and their passions. To invest in

the DUC and not letting me leave until the

StudLife itself has also become an

for. It makes conversations last beyond

features and in arts is to invest in the minds

early hours of Thursday mornings. And I

invaluable part of my life. The people on

a moment and turns words on a page

and diverse thought that runs throughout

wouldn’t trade that time for anything. The

this paper are so passionate about what

into conversations. It’s about fostering

our community. It’s taking care to tell

paper became a connection to campus, a

they do, so dedicated to the community

community, both within the office walls

strangers’ stories and shedding light on

creative challenge, an avenue for activism,

they are a part of, and so supportive of one

and across and beyond campus. It’s

underrepresented narratives.

and a family of friends.

another. Any school spirit I have, I owe

believing in people and change — believing

I’ve had the privilege of engaging with

to StudLife. Countless hours of the last

in the power of their stories and caring to

more student groups, speaker events,

four years have been spent in the office —

tell them.

exhibitions,

And through Scene, through StudLife, and through WashU, I found my people.

So, keep reading student newspapers

ever

laughing, crying, constantly typing, and

Journalism is an action. It’s a live process

and magazines, stand up for your peers,

could’ve imagined when I showed up to

always chatting. My time at StudLife is the

of asking questions, looking deeper, seeking

use your words to be loud about the things

WashU four years ago, and I owe those

backbone of my WashU experience.

out information, talking to others, crossing

you’re passionate about. Student Life

and

people

than

I

opportunities to Scene. The Scene section

It’s with StudLife that I found myself

aisles, finding angles, constantly editing,

created that avenue for me, and I implore

has been warped, stretched, and reshaped

standing outside the Athletic Center polling

and uplifting voices. Graduating into a

you to find a space on campus that does the

numerous times throughout my time here,

place for hours as rain poured down, exit

world where so many voices are being

same for you. You might just meet some of

and in each iteration, it reimagines what

polling for our election issue. It was in the

silenced, it’s more important than ever to

your best friends along the way.

68

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

TFAFFY (thanks for a fantastic four years) Avi Holzman | Former Editor-In-Chief My first year of college, I somehow never

much more than eight pages of content and

care, and that caring is what I will treasure

group, who I hoped would talk to me

realized that the newspaper left in front of

five newsletters a week that happens within

the most. There is care about holding

despite having a front-row seat to years

my dorm every Thursday was something

the walls of the windowless office — slash

truth to power and keeping authority

of my high school cringe. Both are close

I could be a part of creating. There is so

monastic cell — on the third floor of the

accountable, there is care about uplifting

friends.

DUC.

the voices in our community who we all

Over four years you learn to love certain

I am, begrudgingly, about to leave

need to listen to more, and chiefly, there is

activities and people, and despite the

college behind, but I’m certainly going to

tremendous care for each other. Everyone

inevitable bumps in the road, find a way

take the people I met — especially those

knows everyone on Student Life, and while

to belong in a group you perhaps never

on the paper — with me. There have been

that can be intimidating at times, it always

expected to join, with people you didn’t

late nights, weird conversations, and an

makes me smile.

know existed.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AVI HOLZMAN Avi Holzman (Left) and Lily Taylor (right) exit polling outside the Athletic Center on Election Day.

incredible commitment from a volunteer

College seems to be all about belonging.

I found that family, and I wouldn’t be

group of students to covering this campus.

Most students come to WashU unsure of

here without them. So to the StudLife crew,

No one joins the paper for class credit or to

what they want to study or what they are

the boys on CB, and all the senior friends I

make money, and while some might join to

interested in. The vast majority of students

got to meet along the way — who after four

boost their resume, the shine of a few extra

show up knowing a handful of people,

years are about to go their separate ways

LinkedIn connections quickly fades.

maybe even less. I came to college only

and will forever be my WashU family:

People stay at Student Life because they

knowing two people from Jewish youth

Thank you.

Going going gone

Elias Kokinos | Former Senior Sports Editor

jobs, new lives. I’ll miss the late nights, the early

I wasn’t planning to write one of these.

Things that grounded me when everything else

I’ll remember the people more than the

Honestly, I thought I’d let the deadline slip,

felt like it was spinning. People who showed up

pages. The stubborn, relentless, brilliantly

mornings, the moments of shared confusion

and when people asked, I’d just say, “I wasn’t

without being asked, moments that caught me

chaotic people who cared just enough to make

when none of us knew what we were doing, but

feeling it.” Felt cleaner that way. But here I am,

off guard in the best way, and places on campus

it matter and cared too much to let it die. I’ll

we were figuring it out together.

because the truth is, it would’ve felt incomplete

that somehow felt like they belonged to me,

remember them more than any article we ever

The truth is, I always thought there’d be some

not to. Maybe not for the newspaper, not for

even if technically they didn’t.

published. More than any byline, layout, or

clear sign when it was all coming together.

These are a few of those places.

typo that slipped through at unreasonably late

Some moment that said: you’ve arrived.

through this time with. For the memories I

Dardick Four. There’s something about your

hours. The last-minute edits. The drafts that felt

But there isn’t. Life doesn’t give you that. If

know I’ll want to revisit, even if it’s just when I

freshman floor that just hits differently. It’s not

like they’d never come together but somehow

anything, it feels a lot more like supporting

scroll back years from now.

just proximity, it’s the randomness of it all.

always did. All of it mattered because of them.

Borussia Dortmund — heartbreak comes with

the readers, but for me. For the people I lived

College, for me, never felt like the “four best

Thrown together by a housing algorithm, no

They’re why it felt alive, even when everything

the territory, you lose your mind more times

years of your life,” a tagline people love to

promises, no expectations. Somehow, against

felt like it was on the edge of collapse.

than you’d like to admit, but you keep showing

throw around. It felt messy. Fast. Frustrating.

the odds, it became home. The people I met on

The thing is, the best parts of college

up anyway. You hold on to hope, no matter

Brilliant in parts, boring in others. Definitely

that floor have seen every version of me: the

weren’t the ones you could plan. They weren’t

how often it breaks your heart. As the club’s

confusing. And, honestly, kind of ridiculous at

stressed-out, sleep-deprived, mildly unhinged

the scheduled events or the polished photo

motto reads: You’ll Never Walk Alone. And at

times. It was figuring things out one day, just to

Elias, the rare calm-and-collected Elias, and the

ops (though the ones on Photobooth were

WashU, I never did.

forget them the next. It was bouncing between

over-caffeinated, overthinking-everything Elias.

amazing). They were the random Wednesday

feeling like you were on top of the world and

And they stuck around. They still do. They

production nights that turned into lifelong

feeling like you were completely lost, sometimes

mean more to me than they’ll likely ever know.

memories. The conversations on the walk back

within the same hour. But above all, it felt real.

And then, there’s StudLife. If you’d told me

to the Loop you thought would last ten minutes

Unfiltered. It wasn’t some polished highlight

when I signed up that it would end up hijacking

but stretched into hours, changing how you see

reel, but something you actually lived through,

a pretty absurd amount of my time, I probably

things just a little. The stupid jokes you made at

with all the good and bad tangled together.

would’ve believed you, but I would’ve signed

Snarf’s that became running bits for four years

I never expected some perfect arc (like the

up anyway. Somehow, what started as just

straight. The nights out that started with “we’ll

lovely one we have in St. Louis) where I’d arrive

another extracurricular became this whirlwind

keep it low-key” and ended with questionable

at the finish line ( … ) with all the answers and

of deadlines, Slack chaos, 1 a.m. editorial

decisions and even better stories.

a life philosophy printed on my forehead. That

decisions, and spontaneous debates over article

Most of all, it was the people. Always

was never the goal. But what I did get — what

taglines. But here’s the thing: it never really felt

the people. College could’ve been fine

I didn’t fully appreciate until much too late

like work. It felt like ours. Like something we

without them, sure, but they’re what made it

— was a collection of people and places that

owned, fought for, and laughed through, even

unforgettable. They’re what will stick with me

mattered a lot more than I let on at the time.

when everything felt like it was falling apart.

long after we’ve scattered to new cities, new

So, to Dardick Four, StudLife, and the people who made this place matter: Thank You.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIAS KOKINOS

Left to right: Elias with juniors Ian Heft and Matt Eisner as they covered a women’s volleyball away game at Fontbonne on September 11, 2024.

One last love letter to my WashU Community

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Aliana Mediratta | Former Managing News Editor

69

When I first arrived at WashU — hair

production nights, and interviewing sources

step forward to connect with and learn from

community-oriented beings means that we

frizzy with humidity, wearing my favorite

on WashU’s campus have certainly been

these people.

need each other in so many ways, not just to

overalls, still considering going to law school

tedious or challenging at times. But this has

The most important thing I’ve gained

survive, but to have a life that is worth living.

— I had never stepped foot in St. Louis

also been the most enriching experience

from my various communities is a sense of

The vulnerability I have felt while turning

before.

of my time here, because it’s made me feel

meaningful obligation to the people around

in an emotional creative nonfiction piece

I transferred to WashU as a sophomore

connected to something bigger than myself.

me. I feel compelled to ask consequential

to be read by elevem strangers has been

from a small East Coast liberal arts school,

It’s taken me out of my comfort zone in

questions of my peers and pay real attention

immensely outweighed by the sweetness

where I spent my freshman year after I

service of other people and our collective

to their answers. I try not to underestimate

of their kindhearted feedback letters. The

graduated from high school in Northern

mission. It’s shown me how to disagree,

people or assume I understand them at

inconvenience of taking an acquaintance to

California. All of this to say, I travelled a

how to compromise, and how to be wrong

first glance. I make a conscious effort to

the airport on a weekend feels like nothing in

long way to come to this campus in search

— all with grace and kindness. It’s taught

remember that, just like me, most people

the face of their gratitude. The time it takes

of one nebulous, magical thing: community.

me to always see the people around me as

approach the world in good faith. We learn

to save a seat for a classmate at a talk, check

Three years later, sometimes people are

resources to learn from and grow with. It’s

so much about ourselves through each other,

in on a peer who seems unusually quiet, or

surprised to hear that I transferred here,

introduced me to people that I would have

and we lose so much when we choose to shut

even hold the door open pales in comparison

which is music to my ears. I don’t mean to

never naturally gravitated towards, but who

each other out.

to the connection it can bring us all.

brag about my own social integration, but I’ll

have since become lifelong friends. Being

If I only spent time with people I naturally

Yes, college can give you forever friends.

go ahead and do it anyway: I’d argue that

around people who actively challenge my

gelled with, people who became fast friends,

You will meet people who will bring a

I’m as socially connected as any other senior

idea of the type of person I can get along

I am certain that I would not have developed

special kind of magic into your life, and

I know.

with has brought out so many different

this perspective to the same degree.

that is worth cherishing. But if you’re lucky,

I can also say that I’ve found a sense of

aspects of my personality and given me a better sense of who I am.

This feels all the more important to me as

it will also introduce you to strangers who

I see a world where people are increasingly

will become woven into the fabric of your

understand what that means — and why we

You may not have a choice when it comes

encouraged to cut ties with anyone who

world, even briefly. And if you’re a little

should never assume we can live without it.

to the people surrounding you — professors,

doesn’t serve a direct beneficial purpose.

bit brave, if you keep an open heart and

The word community is often used as a

classmates,

suitemates,

Read: anytime anyone has ever said the

push back against the familiar comforts of

placeholder to describe any type of social

teammates,

neighbors,

phrase “protect your peace.” Healthy

isolation, you too may find yourself part of

connection, when in actuality, I believe it

friends of friends, the people who sit next to

boundaries do not mean that we are entitled

a community that changes your life for the

is something more specific — and more

you in the library — but to me, being part

to live entirely free of the discomforts

better.

difficult to achieve — than that.

of a community means actively taking a

community begs of us. Our nature as

community here, and I’ve at least begun to

roommates, club

members,

It’s special — hold onto it.

When I transferred here, I wanted, more than anything, to find friends (and thankfully, I made a lot of great ones). But I’ve realized that there is something special about being connected to someone you are distinctly not friends with. When we make friends, we are saying: “I love you and I am choosing to spend my time with you.” Easy, simple, fun.

But when we exist in community with one another, we are saying, “I don’t necessarily love you, and maybe I don’t even like you, but you are a part of my life anyway.”

Whether that’s a teammate you carpool with, a neighbor whose packages you bring in, or a class project partner who you study for exams with, you are showing up for someone because you have an overlap in your life that ties you together. It’s not always easy or fun, and honestly, sometimes it can even be mildly uncomfortable or inconvenient.

My

biggest

community

at

WashU

has been this newspaper (surprise!). The countless hours I’ve spent pitching ideas at news meetings, burning the midnight oil at

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALIANA MEDIRATTA

A few of the many Student Life staff members who started as strangers and have become lifelong friends. From left to right: Avi Holzman, Alice Gottesman, Aliana Mediratta, and Nina Giraldo.

70

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

WashU Weather

and my journey as its founder JOSH WARNER

very heavy wet snow and high winds. It

for multiple days and weeks. Getting gas

much; I knew I loved what I did and one

FOUNDING WASHU WEATHER REPORTER

knocked out power to most people in my

and food was nearly impossible, and with

day I would prove these people wrong. After

town for multiple days and knocked down

both cell coverage and Wi-Fi being down,

all, success is the best form of vengeance.

Creating and becoming the face of

a tree that fell six feet from my house. Up

communication

My

A bunch of grades, applications, a

WashU Weather over the past four years

until the day of the event, the forecast

school was ultimately closed for seven days

was

nightmarish.

pandemic, and an essay about my love of

has been one of the greatest honors of

fluttered from rain to snow to a mix, and it

and merged with another school for a week

weather later, I found myself at WashU in

my lifetime. It has connected me with my

only became clear that Saturday morning,

because the majority of people in my town

the fall of 2021. As a first-year, WashU was

community, opened countless doors, and

Oct. 29, that we would see a massive all-

did not get their power back for two weeks.

a big and intimidating place far away from

made the single largest contribution to my

snow event in northern New Jersey. An

It took almost a year to recover from the

home for a small Jersey boy like myself.

sense of belonging and importance here at

October snowstorm, much less a storm of

catastrophic damage Sandy dealt.

I felt surrounded by people who already

WashU. I write this not to boast about what

this magnitude in the mid-fall, simply does

At that moment, standing at the window

knew each other, their activities, and their

we have accomplished, but rather to share

not happen in New Jersey, and remains a

of my dark and wind-battered house, I came

purpose. Given that I was known — for

a bit of the story about myself, my love of

one-of-a-kind event in my lifetime. I was

to truly understand the potency — and

better and for worse — as the weather kid

weather, and what this WashU Weather

fascinated.

beauty — of weather.

at high school, I wanted to distance myself

One year later, to the day, came the

Then came fifth grade, the snowiest

from that reputation. I therefore started the

My passion for weather began long before

most impactful weather system in my

year that northern Jersey has seen in the

WashU Weather Instagram account before

I ever set foot on campus. I can actually

life, Hurricane Sandy. Sandy dwarfed the

21st century. I began tracking snowstorms.

my first-year fall without telling anyone that

trace it back to an exact week, that of Oct.

October snowstorm, dealing a crippling

Nothing too formal — I’d usually just watch

I was the face behind the name.

24, 2011. It was third grade, and we were

blow to my town and almost all of

The Weather Channel. But I loved it.

doing a unit on the weather. Coincidentally,

New Jersey. I watched in awe as power

Each year going forward, I started to track

the then Editor-in-Chief of Student Life

this week was marked by the lead-up to an

transformers blew all around my house,

snowstorms more intensely. I pulled late

Matthew Friedman if I could write about

October snowstorm, a powerful blizzard

setting fires and lighting up the pitch-black

nights, conducted routine measurements,

weather for the newspaper. He said yes.

that affected the Northeastern coast with

night. My entire town lost power, most

and did mock forecasts. My passion was

Due to the infrequency and short length

only growing.

of the reports, they went largely unknown,

journey has meant to me.

Looking to get involved, however, I asked

Come high school, a friend of mine said

but I knew there was at least some student

to me at lunch one day, “Since you love

interest in them as I continued to write

the weather so much, why don’t you start

once, then twice, each week.

a meteorology club?” A month later, we

StudLife stopped publishing newsletters

were having meetings that filled most of the

in the spring of 2022. However, when I

classroom. The majority of the people there

returned as a sophomore that fall, a new

didn’t have much of an interest in weather,

player came onto the scene. An enterprising

but went for the enthusiasm and comedic

freshman by the name of Tim Mellman

show I put on or as friends to support

made it his mission to revive the StudLife

me. People were there, and I loved it, but

newsletter. He spent sleepless nights editing

I felt I hadn’t really built a meteorological

it, and single handedly created a robust,

community.

action-packed newsletter through sheer

Then came the insults and the putdowns.

effort and will. It was Tim’s idea that I start

I will always remember my 10th (and 12th)

writing every day, and I embraced it. By

grade math teacher saying to me, in front

September 2022, I was writing daily. Each

of a whole class, “You are only doing all

day, between classes, I’d sit at lunch with my

this weather stuff to get into college. It’s

computer and grind out a weather report.

obvious.” Other students would poke fun

The reports were often short and vague,

at my passion, asking me to email the

but they got the message across — that I

district superintendent for snow days. While

was a consistent, reliable voice that people

obviously dismaying, it never stung me that

could turn to for solid weather forecasts.

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

ANAELDA RAMOS | MANAGING ILLUSTRATION EDITOR

71

taken the initiative to create what I wanted

graduation at the time of writing this,

to see. Second, if you are passionate about

the end of my college journey is rapidly

something, share it. I never knew such a

approaching, far too fast. I will be attending

loving, receptive community would be on

WashU Law this fall, but do not plan to

the other side of my passion for weather

write weather reports or run the social

until I began openly embracing and sharing

media account past graduation. Rather,

it. Third, be consistent. I dedicate time

underclassmen will take the reins going

every day to ensure my weather reports are

forward. It is going to be tough giving up

of a caliber that I want to share. I was only

running WashU Weather and writing these

able to establish myself as a reliable voice

reports as I have come to love it so deeply.

due to the consistency in which I provided

But I know it’s what’s best for WashU

quality reports and accurate information.

Weather going forward. In a way it feels

Finally do not ever, ever, ever, let somebody

like sending a kid off to college to begin

else define, diminish, or destroy your vision.

charting their life independent of me. While

Sparse at first, I began receiving somewhat

and friend. Adrienne Coleman, the general

Plenty of people in my high school tried to

WashU Weather will take on a new flavor

random compliments by people who

manager at StudLife, has gone out of her

frame my passion for weather as a college-

without me, I am fully confident the future

enjoyed reading my forecasts, both for their

way to make me feel valued in StudLife.

admissions ploy or a whimsical hobby. I

custodians of my role will take good care of

accuracy and entertainment. This is when

Tim Mellman put in immeasurable time

never let them take my love for meteorology

both the newsletter and social media page,

the weather began opening doors for me.

to revive the newsletter and provided the

away from me. I wanted to share my unique

and they will continue to make innovations

By my junior year, the fall of 2023,

vehicle to connect me to you all. And the

passion and ability to communicate and

that provide the best information to the

WashU Weather was becoming a bit of

Editors-in-Chief this year, Nina Giraldo

express important weather to other people

most people.

a fixture, an institution at WashU. While

and Avi Holzman, helped develop a robust

to make a serious, even if small, positive

To say it has been an honor and life-

most people did not (and still do not) know

community at StudLife that I am glad to call

impact on my community. It would take

changing journey is an understatement as I

me by face, many recognized my name as

myself a part of.

time to find the right community, but I

do not have words to express what this has

did, right here at WashU, and I am forever

meant to me. I will never forget this for as

grateful for that.

long as I live.

the dependable voice for weather. Various

Lastly, and most importantly, I want

professors began matching my name and

to thank you, the readers, the supporters.

face, and showers of compliments began

Without such a receptive audience, my

So here we stand, in early April of

pouring in from all sides and angles. The

reports would mean very little. It is you all

my senior year. With just 30 days until

folks over at StudLife began inviting me to

who have motivated me to literally never

their events and ceremonies.

miss a day, whether sick, out of town, or

This year, as a senior, the mission for

cramming for exams. It is your support

WashU Weather began to shift. Most

that has driven me to produce the most

people already knew about us, so we didn’t

thorough, accurate, and entertaining reports

need to establish name recognition. Rather,

possible. Plus, you all have made it so I have

it became time to pass the torch. We have

come to embrace rather than shy away from

added multiple bright, kind, and interested

being the weatherman.

individuals to the team, including people for

I have also learned many lessons along

social media. Plans are in place to continue

this four-year journey of building WashU

WashU Weather, hopefully long beyond my

Weather from nothing into an enduring

time here.

institution, lessons that I feel are universally

This journey could not have been possible

applicable and worth sharing.

without the people who have supported me.

First, if you want something to be done

Rob Wild, Dean of Students and lover of

or a change to be made, be the person

meteorology, has become not only an early

that makes it happen. I would have never

and profound supporter to me, but a mentor

known the paths that opened had I not

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Faces of WashU Photos by Eran Fann

Pictured above and top right: George Kingsland, Jade Pita Nuñez del Prado, Ethan Holz, Parker Robinson, Will VanDyke

Zach Trabitz, Lily Taylor

Amanda Webster, Alexa Woo Kati Prince, Tau (dog)

Michelle Zheng, Oli Zhang, Katie Hanson

Josh Bickerstaff, Kayla Triplett, Abdul-Jalil Dania, Cole Wesley

Kendall Watts

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Tools, resources and connections for career readiness and lifelong success.

Scan to learn more about alumni resources and stay connected!

Congratulations, Class of 2025!

Best wishes for the bright future ahead of you!

WashU Center for Career Engagement Danforth University Center (DUC) 110 314-935-5930 | careers@wustl.edu

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

BEFORE YOU GO:

The best things to do with your parents during graduation weekend MARIA DIBELLO

something everyone can appreciate. An added

STAFF WRITER

bonus: It provides a chance to slow down amid the weekend chaos.

Welcome to the Alumni Association, Class of 2025!

You’re now part of a community of 150,000+ alumni around the globe who are ready to celebrate and connect with you.

If your parents have never been, the Gateway With the sun finally breaking through

Arch is worth the visit. Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s

the clouds, vibrant flowers blooming across

also iconic. The views from the top are stunning,

campus, and bird songs filling the trees, it is

and the monument itself is a true symbol of the

safe to say spring has officially arrived. The old

city.

saying “April showers bring May flowers” has never felt more true.

For dinner, treat your family to 360 Rooftop Bar, located atop the Hilton St. Louis at the

Along with the warmer weather comes a

Ballpark. The panoramic views of downtown,

bittersweet realization for seniors: graduation

Busch Stadium, and the Arch create a beautiful,

is just around the corner. It’s an exciting yet

nostalgic backdrop for one of your final nights

nerve-wracking time, filled with the stress of

in St. Louis.

job-hunting, figuring out where to live post-grad, and saying goodbye to a formative four years at WashU. Oh, and let’s not forget the added pressure of entertaining your parents during

Visit alumni.washu.edu to explore all the ways to stay connected!

graduation weekend.

The last thing any senior needs in the midst of all these emotions is to worry about what to do with visiting family. So here’s a guide to help you plan a fun, memorable, and low-stress weekend with your parents — and enjoy one last hurrah in St. Louis.

Fun in the heart of St. Louis Start the day with lunch at The Gramophone,

Cheers to Four Years

If your parents are up for some late-night

a sandwich pub with a lively vibe and a stacked

fun — and don’t mind a glimpse into your

menu featuring over 20 sandwich options. It’s

off-campus life — consider taking them out to

a casual, upbeat spot that makes for a great

PBR, Molly’s, or Humphrey’s. It’ll definitely

family-friendly outing.

make for a memorable story and give them a

After lunch, take your parents to the Missouri

taste of what your weekends were really like.

Botanical Garden. It’s the perfect place to walk

If your parents prefer something a bit more

off your meal, get some fresh air, and enjoy

laid-back than the college bar scene, take them

nature at its peak. The garden’s springtime

to the Anheuser-Busch Biergarten. With a wide

blooms and unique plant displays offer

selection of beers brewed on-site and a relaxed

outdoor patio, it’s a great spot to enjoy a drink,

misses. From the brisket to the burnt ends,

swap stories, and toast to your accomplishments

Salt + Smoke’s mouthwatering barbecue and

— without the sticky floors and thumping bass.

warm, laid-back atmosphere make it a favorite

Plus, the historic brewery tour is a fun bonus if

for students and parents alike. Sitting around

you want to sneak in a little culture with your

the table with your family, enjoying a meal you

cold one.

might’ve had together your first year, is a great way to reflect on how far you’ve come and share some laughs over just how much has changed.

For one last sweet stop, head to Ted Drewes for a concrete or swing by Clementine’s for a scoop of one of their rich and unique flavors.

Whether you’re enjoying it from the curb at

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Senior Class Gift

Ted Drewes or tucked into a cozy table at Clementine’s, it’s the kind of simple tradition that turns into a core memory.

No matter what you do, the goal isn’t to impress — it’s to connect. Whether you’re reminiscing over barbecue or laughing over cocktails, graduation weekend is a once-in-a-

Full-Circle Favorites

lifetime chance to reflect, celebrate, and say

Your gift, your impact!

goodbye to St. Louis with the people who’ve supported you from the start.

Contribute to the Class of 2025

Sometimes the most meaningful experiences

Scholarship and support future

come from revisiting the places that marked the beginning of your WashU journey. Graduation

WashU students just beginning

weekend is the perfect time to bring it all full circle by returning to the familiar spots you once

their educational journeys.

explored with your parents during Bear Day or Parents Weekend.

If you are interested in dinner with a dash of nostalgia, kick off the evening at Salt + Smoke, a WashU classic on the loop that never

LUCIA THOMAS | STAFF ILLUSTRATOR

CROSSWORD ANSWERS FROM PAGE 63

Donate today and receive a gold philanthropy cord to wear at Commencement, symbolizing your commitment to this proud tradition!

Crossword by Alex Nickel 1

2

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A

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Scan to give!

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE SECTION

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Caroline, We are so proud of you!

Keep up the amazing work and best of luck at Wash U Law School!

Love you!

Mom, Dad,

The future is yours—

Go Shine!

Andres

weida

Congratulations Andres!

Your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Through determination, resilience, and unwavering tenacity, you’ve conquered challenges, excelled in engineering, led with heart, and balanced it all with grace.

Watching you grow into the remarkable man you are today fills us with immense pride.

Glory to God. With love and admiration, Mom & Dad

Christopher and Andrew

Caroline

Byron

WATCHING YOU GROW HAS BEEN THE GREATEST JOY OF OUR LIVES

Congratulations

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Kavita

FLO

,

Shah

watching you reach this milestone fills our hearts with joy and pride.

You’ve grown into a strong, compassionate, and wise young woman, and it’s been an honor to walk this journey with you.

Dear Kavita,

Congratulations on your

graduation from Wash U! 4 years have flown by in the blink of an eye, and

As you turn the page to a new chapter, we know you’ll continue to lead with the same grace, courage and purpose.

you have made us

FLORENCE

We love you so much!

Mom and Dad

Lee

immensely proud. You have transformed from a starry-eyed inquisitive freshman to a confident, intelligent, sincere, and thoughtful soul poised for great success!!!

Your running and singing careers at Wash U have

griffin

Wei

only enhanced the many sparkling facets of your personality, while your devotion to the causes you believe in reflect a deep respect for humanity. You are beautiful inside and out and we love you more than words can express.

, g n i r a o s p e Keven the sky for neot limit you! can

Love Mom, Dad, Didi, and Tai

“Behind you, all your memories.

Before you, all your dreams.

Around you, all who love you.

Within you, all you need.”

Griffin, We are so proud of and happy for you and all you have accomplished.

We love you so much.

Mom, Logan and Scott

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Jack Wild

Congratulations, Jack Wild!

We knew from your first word (car) that you were going to be driven, hard working and successful. You are amazing.

We love you, Mom and Dad

Devin Bunner

Look at you!

We are so proud of your tenacity and commitment. There are so many great things waiting for you in your next chapter.

Congratulations, Devman!

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Ian Veserra

Ian, you amaze us all!

Your dedication has brought you this far, and now it is time to take on the world.

Exciting adventures awaitgo chase your dreams!

With love- Mom & Dad

Beckett Thomas Murtaugh

Congratulations Beckett Boo Bear!

We are so proud of you!

Keep your face always toward the sunshine.

With our boundless love - Oms, Bakes & Timbo

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

, y m Jim

Congratulations on this huge milestone!

We could not be more proud of you, and wow do we love you so! You have done

a great job of making the most of your college experience, and we are confident that you graduate with a feeling of gratitude and affection for your Alma Mater.

What a thrill it has been to watch you thrive, and to see you make so many

great friends. Our hopes and dreams for you are that you will take this amazing education, these treasured friendships, and all of the incredible connections made along the way, and that you will continue to be blessed in this next wonderful phase of your life.

We love you, Mom, Dad and the entire “Team Jimmy”

JIMMY

Lancaster

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Liam Keaggy Liam!

We love you and are so proud of the amazing person you have become.

You were always going places Love, Mom, Dad, & Sorena

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Erin Marie Prein

Congratulations, Erin!

We are very proud of you!

We will miss visiting to see you dance.

We look forward to your next chapter!

Love, Mom and Dad

Mati Assefa Tolera

As the Oromo say, Sa’a jechun jabbi, nama jechuun qalbbii!

(Thought and foresight are the measures of a person)

Congratulations Mati, we’re so proud of you!

Love - Mom, Dad, Qano

Clarissa Worthington

We are so proud of you and all your wonderful accomplishments! We’re excited to see the amazing things you do next!

Much love -- Mom, Dad and Jay

Joseph Hipskind

Congratulations Joseph!

We’re bursting with pride, love, & excitement for your next chapter.

Love, Dad, Mom, Caroline and Joseph

Claudia Markel

Congratulations, Claudia!

Your hard work paid off.

You continue to amaze us and we are thrilled to celebrate you today and always.

Love, Mom, Dad, & Erin

Mika Kawanabe

Congratulations, Mika!

Enjoy this well-earned milestone. We are proud of your achievements and celebrate who you are – smart, kind, and driven. We can’t wait to see what the future holds, and are your biggest fans! Team Mika - Ganbatte!

Love, Your Family.

Daniel Bailen

Congratulations Daniel!

We are so incredibly proud of you and look forward to watching you continue to grow and flourish.

We love you, Mom, Dad, Lily, Molly, and Lola

Michaela Elizabeth Sewall

Congratulations Michaela!!

We are so proud of you today and every day!

Wishing you a bright future, full of success and so much happiness!

We love you, Mom, Dad, Zach, Sam and Amanda

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Jordan Wagner

You light up every room with your sharp mind a n d k i n d h e a r t.

W e a r e e n d l e s s ly p r o u d a n d e xc i t e d f o r a l l t h at lies ahead. Dream big and

makeceintt i f i n g a M

e m b r a c e e v e r y o p p o r t u n i t y.

Mom, Dad, lauren, Papa,

Theworld is yours -

D i a n n e , G r a m m y, F a z z y a n d T e r r y

Congratulations DeAnna, our first college graduate.

You have inspired us with your brilliance, beauty and unstoppable drive.

We are so proud of you and your accomplishments!

You have made us incredibly proud.

We cannot wait to see what you will accomplish next.

DeAnna

We Love you Mom and Dad.

Wells

Noah Naseeb Naddaff-Slocum

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Alvin

MOK

Congratulations Alvin!

We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished.

We wish you love and happiness as you continue your journey and look forward to your next chapters.

We love you very much.

Mom and Dad

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Congratulations Gabby!

We are immensely proud of you today and every day.

Love, Mom, Dad, Alexandra and James

Gabby Kogler

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Carly Ramacher

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by.”

Congratulations, Carly!

Continue to forge your unique path with courage and brilliance.

We love you, Your Family

Holly Restad

Congratulations, Pumpkin!

We’re so proud of the amazing person you are. Your passion, determination, and resilience have paid off. Time to celebrate— You did it!!

Love—Mom, Dad, and Leah

Taylor Geluck

Congratulations on everything you have accomplished, we are beyond proud of you!

Keep following your dreams, amazing things are on the horizon for you!

Love, Mom, Dad, Ashley, Addison, Princess & Gatsby

Diego Valverde

Congratulations Diego!

We are very proud of you and grateful for the person you have become. Stay awesome as you start this new adventure Love, mom, dad and daaani.

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Kyra Raymond-Smith

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you’ll ever know.

We are incredibly proud of who you are!

Congratulations!!!

Love Always, Dad, Mom, Spencer, and Reece

Dillon Wirth

Congratulations!

WashU has been a great fit.

You met wonderful friends, traveled, and learned lots. New adventures are ahead.

We are so proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad, and McKenna

Brenna Loftus

Congratulations on your Graduation!!!

You make us proud as always!

Cannot wait to see what you accomplish in law school and the future.

Love you!!

Mom, Dad and the boys.

Miah Emerson

Magnificent. Intelligent. Amicable. Holy.

MIAH is graduating!

From tiny hands in mine to healing hands for others—my heart swells with pride.

Go shine, my love.

You’ve made our dreams come true.

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Chayna Kanofsky

Chayna, your passion and persistence have led you to this incredible achievement.

We are so proud of your hard work, dedication, and success.

Congratulations, we love you so much!

- Mom. Dad. Josh.

Mark Gibson

Mark, we are so proud of you!

Watching you grow has been the greatest joy of our lives.

Keep following your dreams!

We love you always!

Mom and Dad

Kamaria Gutter

Congratulations Kamaria!

We’re so proud of you. Wishing you endless opportunities, shining success, and the fulfillment of all your dreams as you step into this next chapter.

Love, Your family

Connor Fortenbery

Connor, we are so incredibly proud of you and all that you’ve achieved at WashU — watching you grow has been amazing!

As you begin this next chapter, we know you’ll do amazing things and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you!

Love, Mom, Dad, & Addison

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Jordan Mackie

Congratulations Jordan!

We are so proud of the wonderful young woman you have become. You’ve worked so hard, and we are so proud of you!

Love Mom, Dad, & Branden

Nihar Godthi

Dear Nihar, Congratulations on this incredible milestone!

We’re so proud of the wonderful young man you have become. Wishing you happiness, success, and exciting adventures ahead.

Enjoy every moment!

With Love, Mom, Dad, Akka & Tataji

Jonah Schwartzman

Congratulations on being a WashU graduate!

We are so proud of your hard work, resilience, and thoughtful, kind nature.

We love you!

Mom, Dad, Nathan, and Gabriel

Cate Young

Congratulations Cate!

We are so incredibly proud of you!

Excited for your future and the many amazing adventures ahead!

We Love You! Mom, Dad and Lily

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John Yeldham

Congratulations Johnny!

We are so proud of you and your amazing accomplishments! We know you will continue to shine at WashU Law! Love, Mom, Dad and Charlie

Nathan Joseph Pravda

Congratulations, Nathan! We’re so proud of you. We’ve enjoyed Cardinals games with you, hanging out in the Loop, and of course your Wind and Jazz Ensemble concerts.

Love you lots, Mom, Dad, and Isabel

Jonah Milton Sachs

JMan - we are so proud of you, not just for all you have accomplished, but also for the man you have become.

Love, Mom, Dad, Leah and Talia

Ariel Grossman

Congrats to you and the Class of 2025.

This is the beginning of your future and Wash U gave you the wings to fly.

We are so proud of you Mom, Dad and Evan

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Zachary Lieske

Huge congratulations Zax! We love watching you make your dreams come true. We could not be more proud or excited for your next adventure. We all love you so much!

Mom, Dad, Nana, Jay, Nick, Ben, Zander, Émilie, Staz and Huckleberry

Jermicah Lott

Congratulations on your graduation!

We are so excited for your next journey.

May God’s loving guidance continue to light your path, just as it has at WashU. With love, Your Family

Will Henkel

Congratulations William!

We’re proud of you and all you’ve accomplished on and off the field. Excited to see what’s to come – keep attacking the zone.

Love, Mom, Dad & Peter

Diya Diwakaran

Congratulations dearest Diya!

We are so proud of you.

We love you SO much and wish you the best for a bright future.

Dad, Mom, Mike, Ovya, Penny and Poppy

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Jillian Marie Jackson

Jillian, continue to reach for the stars and know that all of your dreams will come true!

Love your Texas Family!

Kyle Beedon

Congratulations Kyle!

We are so proud of your hard work and accomplishments. As your journey continues, we wish you good luck and lots of success!

We love you! Mom, Dad & Eric

Emmalee Eslinger

Amazing girl, you’ve worked so hard and earned every bit of this moment.

We’re beyond proud of the woman you’ve become. Keep shining—your future is limitless. We love you to the moon.

Mom & Dad

Surav Amin

Surav, Congratulations on a job well done!

We couldn’t be prouder of you!

The future awaits you with open arms!

Love Dad, Mom, Rohan & Socrates

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Robert Mills

Congratulations Robert!

We are incredibly proud of your hard work in the classroom and on the football field.

Go into the world with confidence, knowing we love you and will always be here for you.

Love, Mom & Dad, Jack and Harry

Analiese Knight-Ward

Congratulations Analiese!

It is time to pause and celebrate this accomplishment after many years of hard work.

You continue to unfurl like a beautiful flower, revealing new depth and dimensions. We are very proud of you! With all good wishes for your journey ahead – Mom and AJ

Lera Jessie Wilson

Congratulations Lera!

So proud of your achievements at WashU. Keep working to make your dreams a reality.

May the Lord continue to bless and keep you.

(Numbers 6:24)

Love, Mom & Dad

Bryn Muller

Yay, Bryn!

Congrats on another amazing accomplishment! And you do it all with such joy!

Love, Mom, Dad, Hallie, Annie, Grammy, Mimi, Mav & Cleo

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Your ure is fut Bright

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Congratulations Jennifer!

Your focus, perseverance and vision have brought you to this point.

And your beautiful heart shines in everything you do.

We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments.

You have blossomed into a remarkable young woman and we are excited for you to begin your next journey as you graduate from WashU and start the next chapter of your amazing life in NYC. All our love, Mom, Dad and Hannah

jennifer

EPSTEIN

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Paul Fynn Kuemmel

We are so proud of you and everything you’ve done at WashU. Make a dent in the universe!

We love you. Mom, Dad and Henry

Julia Zarkower

Congratulations Julia!

We are so proud of you! Continue to follow your dreams. Keep smiling.

We can’t wait to see what amazing things you will do!

Love, Mom, Dad, Sam, Jacob, & your Grandmas

Max Shachar

Max, congratulations!!!

We’re so proud of you.

We can’t wait to see where your future in Archeology takes you.

Love you, Mom and Dad

Gigi A. Taillon

Congratulations on exercising the little grey cells enough to make them all completely rust free!--H.P. Love Daddy, Mama, Audrey and (Kona)

Abigale Ireland

I am so proud of you.

My cup runneth over.

Love, Mom.

Alice Hu

Congratulations on your incredible achievement! This is just the beginning— go chase your dreams and make your mark on the world.

So proud of you—keep shining!

Dad, Mom, Rong

Margot Sydney Jay

Margot, We could not be prouder of you as you graduate. You are a special, amazing young woman, and we wish for you the best that life has to offer- you certainly deserve it. We cannot wait to see where the next part of your journey takes you- we know it will be awesome!

We love you so much!

Love, Mom, Dad, Mitchell, Mango, and Nibbs XXOO

Brian Jihoon Lee

“Degree: unlocked.

Next level: real life at PMG. Let’s go!”

So proud of you, Brian.

The world is yours to explore.

Love, your family

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Dear John, Congratulations on yet another academic success!

The pink care bear has done it again!

We wish you health, wealth

Eli, every day you make us proud in countless ways!

We’re so happy to be celebrating your next chapter - and can’t wait for every chapter to come!

You are an extraordinary person and we love you more than words can say.

and happiness as you begin this new chapter!

We are so proud!

Go celebrate but do NOT party like it’s 2004!

Keep it in check, John!

We love you so much!

The Fam

john

fakouri

We love you!

Eli Ludden

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Lance Greenberg

Congratulations Lance!

We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments! We can’t wait to see what your future holds! Strive on!

We love you!

Dad, Mom, Ross and Ian

Jenna Bartone

Congratulations Jenna!

We have loved watching you learn and grow these past 4 years at WashU. We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. Keep following your dreams and reaching for the stars.

With lots of love, your family

Ananya Thungathurthi Nath

Dear Ananya, Congratulations on your graduation. We are very proud of your achievements and wishing you all your dreams come true.

With love, Amma, Nanna and Ameya

Carlee Averbeck

Carlee, Congratulations!

We are so proud of you and love you!

Wishing you all the success and happiness that you deserve on your next adventure.

Love, Mom, Dad, and Chloe

Chandra Cline Phenpimon

Go on… write, draw, and dream big Congrats on your BFA in Communication Design!

With love, Mom & Dad - With our deepest gratitude to the teachers and staff of WashU. The Phenpimon Family

Maggie Randall

Congratulations, Maggie!

We love you and are so proud of you!!

Love, Mom, Dad, and Lily

Abby Siegel

Congratulations on your graduation Abby!

We are proud of your accomplishment.

You are amazing, smart and kind.

Love, Mom and Dad

Audrey Nickels

Congratulations to our tenacious, inventive, and eminently capable “Little A”!

So proud of you!

People meet, but mountains never meet.

Wishing you all the best, Mom, Dad, and Lydia

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Elise

Koh

Congratulations Abby!

We are so proud of you and your incredible accomplishments.

We can’t wait to see where life takes you!

Elise, your joy,

sweetness, sincerity, and kind nature are an inspiration.

We have loved watching you grow every step of the way and look forward to seeing all that you experience in life!

We will always be your loving family,

With all of our love, Dad, Mom, and Tommy

Mom, Dad, Alex and Sydney Olivia, You are the kind of person who makes the world feel lighter and more joyful simply by being in it.

As you finish your MSW next year, we can’t wait to see the difference you’ll make—

a i v i l O

one soul at a time.

Love you, Mommy & Daddy

Abigail

Gilbert McGowan

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You continue to be the best of grandchildren in all ways may your life continue to be one of many learning experiences and joyous adventures.

With much love, Gram We are so proud of your accomplishments and dedication.

Per aspera ad astra.

Congratulations Reese!

We’re excited to see where your next steps will take you.

- Luv Mum & Dad

Reese

Jennings

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“Oh the places you’ll go!”

This is a high point on the long path of life.

You have climbed far, made dear friends along the way, done well for others, contributed to the world.

Enjoy the view.

Mazal Tov, Avi-Boy.

a n i N Giraldo

Holzman

Avi

Eema, Abba, and Talia (and Rosie, too)

Nina, your love of life, resilience, curiosity, sense of humor, kindness, and endless gratitude are reflected in the extraordinary human you are. We cheer you on as you pursue dreams, leap high and live with verve. At WashU you have experienced astounding mentors, lifelong friendships, leadership, and travel.

Continue to enjoy the trek!

Boundless love, Mami, Papi, William, and Ada

Ally- tions!

Con gratula

We love you and we’re so proud of you.

And we’re excited as you begin your next adventures.

Love from all of us!!

Aliana Mediratta

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Lily Taylor

Dear Lily, You always bring so much love, joy, laughter, and wisdom to our lives. Continue dreaming big, having amazing adventures, and being true to your gorgeous self.

We love you! Dad, Mom, Ben, and Jack.

Alice Gottesman

We are so proud of you and all you have achieved at WashU. With each chapter, the story of your life just gets better!

We love you!

Mom and Dad

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Jordan Spector

Jordan we’re incredibly proud of you.

We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. Your determination, intelligence and talents will take you far.

Congratulations! We love you.

Love, Mom, Dad, Brennan, Dillan, Coco & Luca

Andrew Kastelman

ANDREW! We are so proud of you!

Remain curious, stay true to yourself and keep your kind spirit. Your journey is just beginning. Congratulations!

Wishing you much love and joy, Mom Dad and Noah

Alexandra A Acevedo

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Oscar Waldman

Congratulations OSCAR! WE LOVE YOU!

Alexander Jose Fernandez

Alex, Congratulations on an outstanding 4 years at WashU! We are proud of your dedication and perseverance. May God continue to guide you towards the amazing future that awaits you. Love you MORE. Mom, Aba, Tata, Christine, Vicente Charles

Siobhan Davenport Ebunoluwa Ifeoluwani Opata

Siobhan, we are veryisproud of your Saying we are proud of you an understatement. accomplishments and look forward to seeing you Watching your humble strength overcome achieve your future goals.

Praise God for what He mountains of adversity, while consistently has done, is doing, and will do, in and exercising a remarkable ability to lovethrough others you. Congratulations and Blessings! deeply, is a privilege.

Love youKemi dearly, Mom,and Dad, Sheridan & Family Lovingly, (Mom) Emmanuel (Brother)

Kenneth Mutebi Hamilton Allison P. Foster

Our baby boy Kenneth! You did it!

Wesky are is very all your The theproud limit,ofAlly! accomplishments. Go confidently in the We are so proud ofLive you.and create direction of your dreams.

With love,imagined. Always the life you have always remember to walk withMolly God and the Mom, Dad, Andy, power of prayer.

Archie and Juno Love, Mom and Dad.

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Benjamin EWER

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Sophia,

we couldn’t be prouder of the

amazing young woman you have become. You are intelligent, responsible, hard-working, kind, insightful, fun-loving, beautiful and sincere. You have grown incredibly and accomplished so much over the past four years

at WashU, and we can’t wait to see where life takes you next.

! k c a b d n a n o o m e We love you to th Mom, Dad, Sean & Maisy

sophia “spadge” padgett

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Anna Zawistowski

Congratulations Ania!

Words cannot express how proud we are.

You did it! You are amazing. Keep shining like a star. Enjoy next chapter of your life!

Love always!

Your family

Emma S. Morin

Congratulations Emmy!

We’re immensely proud of the beautiful and accomplished woman you are. You’ve worked so hard! Wishing you Joy and Happiness in the journey ahead!

Love, Mom & Dad

Haleigh Renee Hoskins

Haleigh, You’re a Phenomenal Woman!

Your dedication, perseverance, and passion have paved the way for a successful career in law.

We’re so proud of you!

Love Mom & Dave

Jacob Daniel

Congratulations Jacob!

We are so proud of you and excited to see what the next chapter will bring!

Love always, Mom, Dad, Jessica and Rebecca

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

“

We are all so

Congratulations Grant!

We are so proud of you for your hard work, discipline, compassion for others and commitment to excellence.

incredibly proud of you!

Your hard work, dedication, and resilience

”

have brought you to this moment, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll continue to accomplish.

You’ve made everyone so proud, and we will

We love you! ah am d, Mom, Da Grace and Gr

always be cheering you on every step of the way.

Keep shining

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a i e v i l l l O E PIERRE-LOUIS

grant

ULDRICH

and keep dreaming.

The future is yours!

Love, Mom, Dad, Solomon and Leah

Eric Boles

Congratulations, Eric!

We are so proud of you! It’s a joy to be your parents, and we wish you every success in your next chapters!

Love, Mom and Dad

Isabel Boufarah

Congratulations our sweet Isabel!

You continue to impress us. We are so proud of you, how you navigate life’s hurdles, and all you have accomplished.

Love, Mom, Dad, Jonathan, Justin

“The Lord will guide you always, he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” -Isaiah 58:11

Trisha Olivia Bose

From Dora dreams to white coat wings, you’ve journeyed far into wisdom, empathy & just the right sprinkle of stubborn.

Embrace life’s adventures & hidden opportunities. Heal, dance in the rain, and write your story with fearless flair.

Love, Ma, Baba, & Didi

Will Gunter

Congratulations Will!

We are so proud of all you have achieved at WashU, including your Thesis Award and role as EIC of WUPR. We love you Mum, Dad and Eliza xxx

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minnie rosenblum

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Minnie: We cannot be more proud of you and the woman you have become.

Wishing you nothing but the best in all that life has to offer.

Never stop being the strong and unique person that you are.

We love you very much.

Love: Mommy, Daddy, Max & Snickers

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Ajmain Ashraf

Dear Raiyan, Alhamdulillah for your achievements!

May Allah bless you with success, wisdom, and barakah in all you do.

We’re proud of you and excited for your future!

Love, Ammu and Redwan

Zoe Elisa Brader-Araje

Bug - Smart, athletic, creative, empathetic, brave, beautiful, thoughtful… and those are my dimples.

Your gifts will stun the world!

I’m the luckiest aunt. So proud.

I love you, always.

Katie

Avery Wang

Avery, you make us extremely proud again. We can’t wait to see you realize your next life dream. We will always be here to celebrate with you.

Mom and Dad

Jeremy T. Lin

Congratulations, Jeremy!!

Your heart, grit, and determination have brought you here.

We’re deeply proud of you and excited to see where life takes you next.

Love, Mom, Dad & Rebecca

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Fernanda Loza

Fernanda, You are a blessing.

He could not have done it without you!

Thank you and congratulations.

With all our love, Will’s Family

Gabriel Massey Herman

My dear Gabe, Love and admiration alone do not describe my joy as I bear witness to this time in your life. But you are only just beginning: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

—Mary Oliver

Ravi Pathak

Congratulations, Ravi!

We’re so proud of your hard work and growth. As you begin this new chapter, we wish you joy, success, and remind youwe’ll always be behind you.

Emily Lu

Congratulations Emily!

We are proud of the talented, graceful and compassionate woman you have become.

Wishing you continued happiness and success in your next chapter!

Love, Mom, Dad and Erica

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Josh Waldman

Congratulations Josh on your graduation.

Your dedication, perseverance, and hard work have led you to this moment.

We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what the future holds! We love you!

Love, Mom, Dad, Evan, Travis and Norman

Camilla Giorcelli

Congratulations, we are so proud of you. This is just the beginning of a new journey. Remember, the sky is the limit, keep flying high.

We love you so much.

Dad, Mom, Giorgio and Stefano

Francisco Lucca

Initiative. Creativity. Dedication. Compassion.

• PGN Officer • FLOCK Founder/Editor • TA • RA • Kemper Guide • McKinsey Intern • Business Coach • World Traveler • Writer • Farmer • Actor • Friend We couldn’t be prouder!

Dad, Mom, Champi, Tori

Aaron Jeck

Congratulations Aaron!

We are immensely proud of you today and always.

Love, Mom, Dad, and Julia

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Jillian Martin

Congratulations, Jillian!

Your diligence, dedication, and sweet spirit have made these 4 years a joy to watch. We are so proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad, and Caraday

Jacob Kim

Congratulations Jacob!

From your first steps to this proud moment we’ve loved every part of the journey with you!

I have made you a father of many nations.

I will make you very fruitful (Gen 17:5-6)

Love you, Dad and Mom

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Elise Gilroy

Congratulations Elise!!

We’re really proud of you and your accomplishments as a scholar athlete.

Wishing you continued success as you head to medical school in the fall.

Love, Your Family

Robert Jacobs

We are incredibly proud of you.

Your ingenuity, can-do attitude, and everpresent smile are truly remarkable!

We look forward to the next chapter in your extraordinary journey! Congratulations!

Love, Mom & Dad

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Nicholas Kennebeck

Congratulations Nicholas!

We are so proud of how far you have come, and we have faith in how far you will go.

Love, Mom, Dad, Emily, Christopher, & Isabel

Krista Semaan

Watching you grow into this wonderful young lady has been fun, entertaining and the highlight of my life!!

Congrats, genius - time to pretend to be an adult now!!

We love you - now go be fabulous !!!!

Mama & Sis

Jonah Edelman-Gold

Jonah, we are so proud of you— historian, philosopher, computer scientist, jazz trombonist, and all-around wonderful person. Congratulations!

Love, Mom, Dad, and Lily

Rachel Johns

Cheers to the last four years.

Congratulations!

Love, Mom & Dad

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Grant

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

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a c n a i B a l y Ka n a m z Gu

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Annabella Clyne

Congratulations, Anna!

We love your enthusiasm, adventurous spirit and abundant joy for life’s simple pleasures.

So proud of all you’ve accomplished, and excited for the journey ahead.

Love-Mom, Dad & Sophia

Aaron Peters

Congratulations, Aaron!

We are so proud of you. You have worked hard and made many great memories at WashU. We look forward to watching you achieve your dreams in the years ahead.

Love from your family, Mom, Dad, Rachel, and all.

Gavin Knapp

Congratulations Gavin!

We are incredibly proud of you and look forward to watching you continue to grow and achieve your dreams.

Love, Mom, Dad, Garrett, and Poppy

Harrison Keyser

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Congratulations!

With love and pride, Mom, Dad, Heather & Holly

Fernando Duraes

Fernando, Congratulations!!!

We are so proud and grateful to have you in our lives! You are not just looking up — you are moving up!

Love always, Duraes Family

Sara Lapidus

Congratulations, Sara!

We are proud of you.

Continue to dream big and find joy in the journey ahead.

All our love, Mom, Dad, and Jared

Miguel Verani

Dear Miguel, Congratulations!

We are so proud of you and know you will do so many great things in life.

With much love, Mae, Pai, Zee and Lucas

Luke William Myers

You are AMAZING! Go out into the world and claim your place.

We know you are going to do something magnificent!

Love you, Matt, Mom and Dad

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

Sara Beverly Dacunha

Congratulations, Sara!

We are incredibly proud of all your accomplishments… your drive, dedication, and ambition is amazing!

We love you from your nose to your toes!

Mom, Dad, Tristan, and BaBa

Matthew Yu

Congratulations, Matthew!

We love you and are so proud of you!

Dad, Mom, Jodi, Ama, Grandma, and Grandpa

Jordan Prohens

Congratulations Jordan!!

We’re so proud of you & your amazing accomplishments!! Wishing you continued success in all that you do.

With Much Love, Mom, Dad, Abby & Lily

Vasilios Loutrianakis

Congratulations Vasili!

We are extraordinarily proud of you and all you have achieved. Looking forward to all you’ll accomplish in the future!

All our love, Baba, Mama, Georgia, and Thanasis

William Smith Jr

Son, I knew when you were born that you were destined for GREATNESS! Be YOU and never give up!

I LOVE YOU - WE LOVE YOU! Mom, Waylon, Mya, & Brayden

Jonah Zacks

You grew up so fast, but you also became one of our favorite people.

We can’t wait to watch the journey continue!

We love you!

Mom and Dad

Alexander Whalen

Alex, we are so proud of you!

What an amazing 4 years at WashU. We look forward to all the things you will accomplish!

All our Love, Mom, Dad, and Billy

Jacob Song

Congratulations Jacob!

We are so proud of you! There’s nothing impossible in this world because you can achieve anything! Happy Graduation!

From Dad, Mom, Bonnie, Max and Scott

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SiobhanIfeoluwani DavenportOpata Ebunoluwa

we are veryisproud of your Saying Siobhan, we are proud of you an understatement. accomplishments and look forward to seeing you Watching your humble strength overcome achieve your future goals.

Praise God for what He mountains of adversity, while consistently has done, is doing, and will do, in and exercising a remarkable ability to lovethrough others you. Congratulations and Blessings! deeply, is a privilege.

Love youKemi dearly,(Mom) Mom,and Dad,Emmanuel Sheridan & Family Lovingly, (Brother)

Kenneth Mutebi Hamilton Allison P. Foster

Our baby boy Kenneth! You did it!

Wesky are is very all your The theproud limit,ofAlly! accomplishments. Go confidently in the We are so proud ofLive you.and create direction of your dreams.

Withalways love,imagined. Always the life you have remember to walk withMolly God and the Mom, Dad, Andy, power of prayer.

Archie and Juno Love, Mom and Dad.

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This

is just the

beginning of

Your incredible journey.

We are so proud of you and all you’ve achieved.

Your hard work, resilience, and heart inspire us every day.

Keep chasing your dreams–– we’ll always be cheering you on.

Congratulations!

We love you!

Dad, Mom, and Sakin

Pranav

Kirti

STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

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STUDENT LIFE | THE FINISH LINE

CO N G RATS CO N G RATS

2025 GRADS 2025 GRADS We are thrilled to celebrate this outstanding WashU Class of 2025. families and friends to join us as WashU we recognize this WeWe areinvite thrilled to celebrate this outstanding Class of 2025. accomplishment sharing your experiences Wetremendous invite families and friends toby join us as we recognize this and celebrations via social media theyour hashtag #WashU25. tremendous accomplishment byusing sharing experiences and celebrations via social media using the hashtag #WashU25.

VISIT COMMENCEMENT.WASHU.EDU FOR UPDATES AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CELEBRATIONS FOR SCHOOL ANDFOR AFFINITY GROUPS. VISIT COMMENCEMENT.WASHU.EDU UPDATES AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CELEBRATIONS FOR SCHOOL AND AFFINITY GROUPS.

#WashU25 #WashU25