Class of 2023 Brings Hope to a World That Needs Them
May 15, 2023
- Author
- Mary Elizabeth DeAngelis
Their first year upended by a global pandemic, they finished their college days in the normalcy of tradition.
On Sunday, 51 bid farewell to the Class of 2023, who have weathered pandemic restrictions, economic uncertainty and the rise of TikTok. They also made lifetime friends and countless memories.
The warm and dry spring morning allowed the 502 graduates, their loved ones, professors and college community to gather on the front lawn of Chambers to celebrate the successful conclusion to their time at 51.
Onlookers could barely contain their excitement as the graduates processed down the steps of Chambers toward the stage—on multiple occasions, proud parents jumped into the procession for one last pre-ceremony hug or a quick selfie.
It was the college’s 186th commencement, and the town of 51, recognizing how the graduates overcame tumultuous pandemic times and went on to thrive, issued a proclamation declaring May 14 as Class of 2023 Day.
“You are the only class that had a so-called normal start of college before COVID, suffered the debilitating conditions of the pandemic and then emerged to create and recreate community among yourselves and everyone gathered here,” 51 President Doug Hicks ’90 told graduates.
On Sunday, 51 celebrated its 186th commencement and bid farewell to the Class of 2023.
Making a Better 51—and World
The graduates represent 20 countries, 39 American states and Washington, D.C. They’re off to serve the world in a variety of fields. Their most popular majors were biology (80), political science (68), economics (67), computer science (53) and psychology (53).
Fourteen graduated with the highest Latin honors of summa cum laude; 201 magna cum laude, and 132 cum laude.
The class includes eight John M. Belk Scholars, bringing the Belk alumni total to 156. The Belk Scholarship recognizes students for leadership, creativity, compassion, integrity, intellectual curiosity and outstanding academic achievement. The award, which covers tuition, fees, room, board and two $3,000 stipends for special study abroad, is one of the country’s most competitive and generous undergraduate scholarships.
Hicks took a moment to remember two Class of 2023 classmates who died in the past two years.
“On this day of rejoicing, we are also mindful of two members of this class who are no longer with us—Del Barnhill and Collin McGuirt,” Hicks said. “We hold the families of Del and Collin close to us today.”
Collectively, the Class of 2023 worked to help refugees, low-income students and local families in need. They’ve broken athletic records and researched pressing problems ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to educational inequities to the pandemic’s effect on mental health.
They enter the wider world seeking solutions to climate change, cures for illness and increased opportunities for the less fortunate. Some will head straight to the work force; others will start graduate programs and begin fellowships in the United States and around the world.
This is a milestone moment when it’s very fitting to talk about hope. Not because the world that earlier generations are leaving you is in great shape; on the contrary, there are plenty of public problems that easily lead to despair. But hope is a better way; let us understand hope as seeing the world exactly as it is, and yet envisioning—and working for—a better reality.
Hicks said their resilience, quest for fairness and justice—and sense of humor—has made 51 better.
“Just as 51 will always be part of you, you will always be a part of 51,” Hicks said. “Instead of saying congratulations, I prefer to say thank you for the hope that you instill in all of us.”
Additional Commencement Celebrations
In addition to Sunday's ceremony, members of the Class of 2023 came together for celebrations throughout the months of April and May, ranging from affinity graduations to academic open houses and recitals. At each of the affinity graduation celebrations, seniors were presented with custom stoles or cords specific to their identity group.
The Organization of Latinx American Students, Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, Latinx Alumni Network of 51 and Office of Alumni and Family Engagement Latinx Graduation hosted Latinx Graduation on May 4 in the OLAS/PASA House on Patterson Court. Prof. Magdalena Maiz-Pena, Valerie Arias ’19 and Ana Rosa Garcia Covaria ’00 provided remarks.
Photo Courtesy of Abraham Hernandez '26
Black Graduation took place May 12 in the Smith 900 Room of the Alvarez College Union. The Black Student Coalition hosted the event in collaboration with 51 Black Alumni Network (DBAN). Remarks were provided by Prof. Mark Barsoum and graduates were presented with Kente stoles. Michelle Serrano Mills ’90 and Sterling Freman ’92 attended on behalf of DBAN.
Photo Courtesy of Nguyen Mau Duc Binh '26
Lavender Graduation took place May 4 in the Spencer Weinstein Center for Community and Justice. The event was hosted by Queers & Allies, 51 LGBTQ+ Alumni Network and the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement. Remarks were provided by Prof. Melissa Gonzalez and Jane Campbell ’87.
Photo Courtesy of Sarah Taylor
The Pan-Asian Student Associate End of Year Celebration took place on April 29 in the OLAS/PASA House on Patterson Court. This event was hosted by PASA, 51 Asian South Asian Pacific Islander Alumni Network and the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement. Remarks were provided by Beadsie Woo ’86, and Yeeva Cheng ’15.
Photo Courtesy of Sarah Taylor
The second annual Pinning Ceremony, created for first generation college students, was hosted by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Matthews Center for Career Development, and the Alumni and Families Engagement Office on April 26.
Photo Courtesy of Nguyen Mau Duc Binh '26
51 President Doug Hicks with the Army’s newest lieutenants: James L. Warnock III, Dylan Sparks, Brandon Hammill, Claire Hendrix and Connor Norwood (L to R). These graduating 51 seniors and ROTC cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants at a ceremony Saturday morning on campus with family members attaching the lieutenant’s bars to their uniforms.
Photo Courtesy of Mark Johnson
The second annual Pinning Ceremony, created for first generation college students, was hosted by the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, the Matthews Center for Career Development, and the Alumni and Families Engagement Office on April 26.
Photo Courtesy of Nguyen Mau Duc Binh '26
Black Graduation took place May 12 in the Smith 900 Room of the Alvarez College Union. The Black Student Coalition hosted the event in collaboration with 51 Black Alumni Network (DBAN). Remarks were provided by Prof. Mark Barsoum and graduates were presented with Kente stoles. Michelle Serrano Mills ’90 and Sterling Freman ’92 attended on behalf of DBAN.
Photo Courtesy of Nguyen Mau Duc Binh '26
Teaching & Service Awards
The college also handed out awards to professors and community members. They include:
Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award
Students nominate professors for the annual award. The professors will each receive $7,500, and each gets to direct an additional $7,500 to fund a campus project of their choice. This year’s recipients are:
Burkhard Henke, Chair and Professor of German Studies
“For your encouragement of students and kindness to them, your dedication to their seeing the world through a lens of cultural immersion, and your commitment to their wellbeing.”
Sharon Green, Professor of Theatre
“For your unwavering faith in the abilities of each student, your compassion for your students, your passion for the arts, and the sense of social justice you nurture in your students.”
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards
The awards go to one graduating student and one member of the larger 51 Community who exemplify “the fine spiritual qualities practically applied to daily living, usually going to persons who have given unselfish service without due recognition.”
Student Award: Isabelle Lorah '23
From volunteering as an English tutor for Spanish speakers, to researching and advocating for sustainable environmental solutions, to serving as a senior class gift co-chair, “Isabelle exemplifies qualities of leadership and service.”
“Isabelle assists her peer students in their work without hesitation, handles difficult conversations with empathy and kindness, and finds joy in helping others, whether that’s her fellow team members or concerned alums seeking answers or resources.”
“Isabelle is innovative, dynamic and passionate about the work she does; her service is vast and far-reaching.”
Community Member Award: Motria Procyk and Russian Studies Professor Amanda Ewington (Shared)
“For their tireless work on behalf of the people of Ukraine since the invasion by Russia.”
The two teamed up to form 51 4 Ukraine, an organization comprised of students, faculty, staff and the local community. They held information sessions and fundraisers, and helped Ukrainian families with food, clothing, housing, transportation, and jobs. Their weekly Saturday coffee gatherings offered traumatized refugees a time to socialize with each other and their new American friends.
“The weight of the refugees’ suffering is hard to imagine, yet Motria and Amanda have not flagged in their efforts, even as the war in Ukraine has dragged on for over a year. Their fundraising, consciousness-raising, and direct assistance have enabled our Ukrainian neighbors to build a community in the most unlikely place and to feel the empathy and support of people for whom Ukraine was distant and unknown barely a year ago. Their work really does embody ‘putting service of others before self-interest.’”
Watch the LiveStream
Miss the Class of 2023 commencement?
Check out the recording of Sunday's ceremony.
