The University welcomed students and their families to a celebration of the Class of 2025 at Paramount Theaters from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday. The event featured faculty and student speakers, a performance by the Hullabahoos and a post-ceremony reception after students picked up their class rings.
The event, held at The Paramount Theater, was planned by the Third Year Council in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs and the U.Va. Alumni Association as a way to commemorate the Class of 2025 reaching the halfway point of their college careers.
With many eager families attending the ceremony, the theater quickly reached its capacity of 1,040 seats, and students and their families were turned away at the door. There was no overflow location. While the Class of 2025 has a student population of over 4,000, typically only 1,000 people attend the ceremony. Guests were asked to fill out an interest form prior to the event, though this was not mandatory for attendance.
Last year’s Third Year Ceremony was held at John Paul Jones Arena, which has a capacity of over 14,000. Sophia Ditty, third-year ceremony chair and third-year College student, said The Paramount Theater was a more budget-friendly option for the Council which also provided a more intimate setting for attendees.
James Edwards, Third Year Council president and third-year Nursing student, said the decision to host the ceremony on a Sunday this year — rather than a Friday as it had been in the past — was one of the reasons that led to more people attending this year’s ceremony than last year’s, in addition to the location change.
“We're really kind of relying on those RSVPs and since we got such limited RSVPs it was hard to predict how many people would come,” Edwards said. “I think actually changing that location was super exciting for a lot of people and pushed more people to come out.”
During the ceremony, Ditty expanded on the importance of class rings. As Ditty explained, the Class of 2025 ring features Minerva, the protector of the arts, facing inwards towards each student. Upon graduation, Minerva is turned outward, marking the student’s transition from the University into the world.
Class rings often cost more than $500, creating a financial barrier for some students. This year, 50 third-year students were awarded scholarships for class rings, with donations from the Honor Committee, the Z Society, the Alumni Association and more.
CEO of Alumni Association Lily West compared the Class of 2025 ring to the children’s book “The Invisible String” in which said string connects people to the ones they love regardless of distance and time.
“A class ring, just like a string, is a physical reminder of shared experience of commitment, of connection that I hope will last a lifetime.” West said. “And part of why I'm honored to be here today is the Alumni Association's mission is grounded in that work of connection.”
In addition to speaking about the importance of class rings, Interim Dean of Students Cedric Rucker also spoke at this event to express his perception of the progress and potential of the Class of 2025.
“It is most rewarding to be in a place to be able to watch students grow,” Rucker said. “I enjoy what I do because I am uplifted every single day by what they bring to the table.”
To demonstrate what the Class of 2025 brings to the table, Rucker first asked students to stand if they had participated in any University performances or art showcases. Next all athletes were asked to stand, and lastly, any student who conducted research with the University was encouraged to rise.
“I want you as parents to see why we are so successful as a University,” Rucker said. “It's these people who are standing before you. I want to say thank you to them and I want you and your families to acknowledge them.”
The ceremony was held during the University’s annual Family Weekend, and family members were encouraged to attend alongside their students. Family Weekend offers a series of programs and events such as the Third Year Ceremony to engage families in their students' lives at the University. This year's Family Weekend spanned from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5 and coincided with a home football game against Georgia Tech..
University President Jim Ryan also spoke at the ceremony and followed Rucker’s speech by addressing the Nov. 13 shooting and the strength of the Class of 2025. Three students died in the shooting — football players and University students Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry.
“As hard and painful as that was, you collectively rose to the occasion with strength, grace and most importantly, compassion.” Ryan said. “You already made your presence felt, and you've made U.Va. a better place because you're here and for that you have my deepest gratitude and admiration.”
Ryan offered a challenge to the Class of 2025 to improve their University experience in three ways — by doing something that scares them, making at least one new friend and going one day a week without social media for at least four weeks in a row.
“I suggest this in part because I think it will be hard and it's not bad to try hard things.” Ryan said. “I'm also asking you to do this because I actually think you will eventually enjoy it. As I'm pretty sure it will make you feel more connected to this place. It will give you more time to think intentionally about how you want to spend your time here.”
The post-ceremony reception was held outside of the theater, on the downtown mall, to provide pastries and refreshments to attendees. Class rings were distributed on the ground floor of the theater, as was a surprise gift of Class of 2025 engraved champagne flutes. To the dismay of some students, the Council ran out of champagne flutes to give out before every third-year had gotten one.
Avery Donmoyer contributed to this article.
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