By Stella Keeney
Copy Editor
Washington College held its annual Fall Convocation on Aug. 27 to celebrate the arrival of the new class of students, as well as the achievements of alumni, faculty, and older students in Decker Theatre.
President Dr. Bryan Matthews ’75 expressed dedication to the College’s founding principles and his excitement for progress in this academic year.
Matthews highlighted current projects, including the Warehime School of Business, the Hogan Institute, and the 2026 publication of “Media and Information Literacy as Civic Practice,” a book for educators written by WC professors.
The Class of 2030 will be the first class with the opportunity to graduate from Warehime.
“We [teach leadership] in part by staying connected to our heritage, but we also never stop innovating to bring the unique value of the liberal arts into the future,” Matthews said during his speech.
Vice President for Enrollment Management Johnnie Johnson enthusiastically welcomed the class of 2030, noting a majority interest in business, environmental science, biology, psychology, education, and engineering as fields of study for incoming scholars.
Around half of the 242 students in the Class of 2030 are student athletes.
Since 2009, outstanding WC alumni are recognized with the Alumni Horizon Ribbon Award.
This year’s awarded alumni were Phaedra Michelle Scott ‘14, for her work as a dramaturg, director, and writer, and Dr. Billie Ricketts Brice ‘13, for her work in education and as Academic Dean of Queen Anne’s County High School.
The Alumni Medal is bestowed upon ten students with the highest academic averages during their sophomore year.
This year, WC alumni chose to award juniors Sophia Clark, Sophia Cost, Emelie Cummins, Kathryn Hoffmaster, Calynn Nelson, Johna Nguyen, Emily Polio, Tyler Rice, Aaron Rodenhausen, and Katelyn Tribbitt.
“[The award] was really exciting to hear about…it feels great to be recognized for hard work,” Polio said.
The Visitors and Governors Medal is granted to students with the highest academic averages during their junior year. This year, the trustees of the College recognized seniors Olivia Allen, Katrina Callahan, Annabella Goglia, Audrey MacNair, and Zachary Tipton.
The Inter-fraternity Panhellenic Council Awards are given annually to the fraternity and sorority with the highest overall GPA. This year, Kappa Sigma and Alpha Omicron Pi were awarded with the honor.
Associate Professor of Sociology and Black Studies Dr. Rachel Durso delivered the keynote speech at the event, as the recipient of the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
Tying in her expertise in criminology through the pillars of social control theory—attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief—Durso urged students to make the most out of their college experiences as well as life afterward.
In addition to the Class of 2030, Convocation’s audience also includes transfer students who can gain insight into their new school.
“I feel excited, and I think [Convocation] was inspiring,” said sophomore transfer student Charlotte Dietrich.
With the 2026-27 academic year officially commenced, students can look forward to new experiences, opportunities, challenges, and fun to come.
Photo caption: Keynote speaker and award recipient Dr. Rachel Durso addresses incoming students in Decker Theatre.
Photo by Stella Keeney