In the first in-person ceremony since 2019, the Lewis Center for the Arts recognized graduates who earned certificates and degrees through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts at the annual Class Day ceremony held on May 23 in the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. With introductory remarks by Lewis Center Interim Chair Michael Cadden, the ceremony reflected on a momentous year when students fully returned to studios, stages, galleries, writing spaces, and design labs to develop and showcase their artistry in-person.
It’s good to be “live” again, as we remember all the losses – personal, social, curricular, extracurricular – that have marked these two-plus years. Your teachers on the faculty and staff offer you awesome people their heartiest congratulations. You have done so much to earn our respect and admiration already. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next!
— Michael Cadden
Each year the Lewis Center awards three top academic prizes that recognize a number of students for overall achievement in the arts. This year, Cadden announced these honors for seven seniors who demonstrated excellence and proficiency in their fields, enlarged the scope of our understanding of issues of race, and embodied a commitment to push boundaries and explore unknown territory. Silma Sierra Berrada, Molly Rose Gibbons, and Anson Hyde Jones received the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts; Jamie Alisha Goodwin and Raya Marie Ward were honored with the Toni Morrison Prize; and Olivia Alexandra Kusio and rising senior Megan Pan received the Action Based Community Engagement Award.
Program directors Jhumpa Lahiri (Creative Writing), Susan Marshall (Dance), Stacy Wolf (Theater, Music Theater) and Jeff Whetstone (Visual Arts) also shared remarks and announced a number of awards given to seniors for outstanding achievement in each program.
Photo Gallery
Michael Cadden, University Lecturer and Lewis Center for the Arts Interim Chair, speaks during Class Day in the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Photo by Ron Wyatt
An audience of faculty, staff, friends and family gather in the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center to celebrate the Class of 2022 graduates who earned certificates and degrees through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Jhumpa Lahiri, Director of the Program in Creative Writing, speaks during Class Day. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Jhumpa Lahiri, Director of the Program in Creative Writing, poses with creative writing certificate students. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Susan Marshall, Director of the Program in Dance, shares remarks during Class Day. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Susan Marshall, Director of the Program in Dance, poses with dance certificate students. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Stacy Wolf, Director of the Program in Music Theater, speaks during Class Day. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Stacy Wolf, Director of the Program in Music Theater, poses with theater and music theater certificate students during Class Day. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Jeff Whetstone, Director of the Program in Visual Arts, shares remarks during Class Day. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Program in Visual Arts certificate students and Practice of Art degree students pose for a photo with Jeff Whetstone, the Director of the Program in Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Michael Cadden, University Lecturer and Lewis Center for the Arts Interim Chair, announces one of the three Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts recipients Silma Sierra Berrada. Photo by Ron Wyattt
Silma Sierra Berrada stands for a photo after receiving the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Molly Rose Gibbons stands for a photo after receiving the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Molly Rose Gibbons celebrates her Louis Sudler Prize in the Matthews Theatre. Photo by Ron Wyatt
An audience of faculty, staff, friends and family gather in the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center to celebrate the Class of 2022 graduates who earned certificates and degrees through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Raya Marie Ward stands for a photo after receiving the Toni Morrison Prize. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Jamie Alisha Goodwin stands for a photo after receiving the Toni Morrison Prize. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Olivia Alexandra Kusio stands for a photo after receiving the Action Based Community Engagement Award. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Jhumpa Lahiri, Susan Marshall, Stacy Wolf and Jeff Whetstone applaud during Class Day. Photo by Ron Wyatt
Jhumpa Lahiri, Stacy Wolf, Michael Cadden, Mary K. O'Connor, Susan Marshall, and Jeff Whetstone pose for a photo after Class Day in the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Photo by Ron Wyatt
View the 2022 Class Day Program listing all graduates and senior awards »
