On Class Day, the Lewis Center for the Arts Celebrates the Class of 2025

At the annual Class Day ceremony held on May 26 in the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center, the Lewis Center for the Arts recognized graduates who earned minors through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater & Music Theater, and Visual Arts, as well as degrees in the Practice of Art track in the Department of Art & Archaeology. With introductory remarks by Lewis Center Chair Judith Hamera, the ceremony reflected on four years of incredible achievements by students in Princeton University’s Class of 2025.

Class of ’25, you have been curious and inspiring students, bold and ambitious creators, conscientious collaborators, and excellent models of the LCA’s contributions to the intellectual life of Princeton. I hope your time with us, including your performances, exhibitions, and writings, and your big, fearless questions, stays with you. I hope it informs the ways you approach whatever you do next, and I hope it impels you to be unflagging advocates for the important work the arts do in the world. We need you. On behalf of the entire LCA, most enthusiastic congratulations and thank you.
— Judith Hamera, Chair of the Lewis Center

Class Day Photos

The Lewis Center for the Arts celebrates graduates of the Class of 2025 who earned minors through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt

A person holds up their hands at a podium in front of orange and black banners..

Professor of Creative Writing Patricia Smith speaks during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

A large group of students pose for a photo on a stage.

Princeton graduates who received minors in the Program in Creative Writing pose for a photo with Professor Patricia Smith. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Susan Marshall, Director of the Program in Dance, speaks during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Princeton graduates who received minors in the Program in Creative Writing pose for a photo with Susan Marshall, Director of the Program in Dance. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Jane Cox, Director of the Program in Theater and Music Theater, speaks during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Princeton graduates who received minors in the Program in Theater and Music Theater pose for a photo with Jane Cox, Director of the Program in Theater and Music Theater. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Jeff Whetstone, Director of the Program in Visual Arts, speaks during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Princeton graduates who received minors in the Program in Visual Arts or degrees in the Practice of Art track in the Department of Art & Archaeology pose for a photo with Jeff Whetstone, Director of the Program in Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt

A person with a big smile walks down the aisle of an auditorium.

Oriana Nelson prepares to receive the Action Based Community Engagement Award. Photo by Ron Wyatt

A person speaks on a stage while someone else stands and listens.

Oriana Nelson receives the Action Based Community Engagement Award from Lewis Center for the Arts Chair Judith Hamera during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Oriana Nelson and Nathalie Barnes received the Action Based Community Engagement Award during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Schuyler Saint-Phard was honored with a Toni Morrison Prize from Lewis Center for the Arts Chair Judith Hamera. Photo by Ron Wyatt

The Lewis Center for the Arts celebrates graduates of the Class of 2025 who earned minors through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Schuyler Saint-Phard and Rahma Elsheikh were honored with Toni Morrison Prizes during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Rahma Elsheikh was honored with a Toni Morrison Prize from Lewis Center for the Arts Chair Judith Hamera. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Wasif Sami prepares to receive the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Wasif Sami receives the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts from Lewis Center for the Arts Chair Judith Hamera. Photo by Ron Wyatt

A person stands in front of banners smiling.

Kasey Shao receives the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts during the 2025 Class Day Celebration. Photo by Ron Wyatt

A person holding balloons leans down to someone in a wheelchair.

The Lewis Center for the Arts celebrates graduates of the Class of 2025 who earned minors through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt

The Lewis Center for the Arts celebrates graduates of the Class of 2025 who earned minors through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt

A group of people pose for a photo in an auditorium

The Lewis Center for the Arts celebrates graduates of the Class of 2025 who earned minors through the Programs in Creative Writing, Dance, Theater, Music Theater, and Visual Arts. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Class Day Slideshow

Top Academic Prizes

Each year the Lewis Center awards three top academic prizes that recognize a number of students for overall achievement in the arts. This year, Hamera announced these honors for six 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.

Kasey Shao and Wasif Sami received the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts
Schuyler Saint-Phard and Rahma Elsheikh were honored with the Toni Morrison Prize
Nathalie Barnes and Oriana Nelson received the Action Based Community Engagement Award

Professor of Creative Patricia Smith, Program in Dance Director Susan Marshall, Program in Theater & Music Theater Director Jane Cox, and Program in Visual Arts Director Jeff Whetstone also shared remarks and announced a number of awards given to seniors for outstanding achievement in each program.