Graduating Reception Celebrates the Promising Class of 2023

The Promising Class of 2023 began the countdown to their graduation on March 24 during the annual Graduating Class Reception. During the celebration, students learned about their responsibilities as future alumni and were presented with awards including the Outstanding Graduate Award and Alumnae and Alumni Rings.

"This reception is a celebration of YOU, the Promising Class of 2023," said Dr. Charles Lindsay, President, Elmira College. "While we're sad you'll be leaving us, we're also proud of what you've accomplished. You've grown enormously, both academically and personally, and came together as a class, despite the challenges over the past two years such as COVID."

Dawn Marullo Stever '03, President of the Elmira College Alumni Association Board of Directors, reviewed the rights and responsibilities of being alumni, encouraging the students to stay connected, leverage and become part of the alumni network, and attend reunion events.

"Enjoy your remaining time at Elmira to the fullest," Stever said. “Spend time with your friends and get to know classmates you don’t know well.”

Calli Vocke '23, Class President, then addressed the attendees and spoke about how the class began together at orientation and grew into “smart, confident, and resilient members of the Class of 2023.”

"We were given the title the Promising Class of 2023 because we showed signs of future success," she said. "As anxious, excited little freshmen we showed that we would be successful, and we should be thankful for those in the community that helped us fulfill that title."

Following the remarks came the awarding of the Alumni and Alumnae rings, which are awarded each year to a man and woman who represent the spirit of Elmira College.

This year's Class of 2023 Alumni Ring recipient was James Blair ’23, a Psychology and Math double major, Key Award winner, Iris Leadership Prize winner, President of Omicron Delta Kappa, President of Pi Mu Marathon, President of Student Alumni Council, Gold Key Society member, Orientation Executive, a Reunion Executive, and a peer tutor.

This year’s Alumnae Ring recipient was Jenna Heiser '23, Biology major, Key Award winner, field hockey player, member of Gamma Sigma Epsilon, member of Phi Eta Sigma, and secretary of Omicron Delta Kappa. The Alumnae Ring was donated by alumna Dorian Lynn Hidy ’88.

Lindsay announced this year’s Outstanding Graduate Award, which recognizes a well-rounded student who is sincerely dedicated to the welfare of the College and student body. The student exemplifies citizenship, character, standing among peers, and contributions to extra-curricular life at Elmira College. Vocke, a Communications Sciences and Disorders major, was this year’s awardee. Vocke is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, captain of the Women’s Volleyball team, Gold Key Society member, Kappa Delta Pi secretary, vice president of Garden Club, social media chair for National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), and Class of 2023 Class President.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors then presented alumni pins to the graduating class, followed by a champagne toast given by Stever.

Additional awards, presented by Director of Alumni Engagement Sydney Stringham ’19, MSEd ’21, included:

Reunion Chairs:

• James Blair '23, Psychology and Math double major
• Hannah Whittier '23, Childhood Education major
• Class Reporters:
• Sydney Hasenjager '23, Human Services major
• Barbara Guinto '23, Nursing major

Class Agent:

• Rachael Callaway '23, Childhood Education major
• Oscar Muñoz Trinidad '23, Human Services and Sociology double major

Candlelight Speakers:

• Chloe Scheff '23, Speech and Hearing major
• Ryan Hardy '23, Biochemistry major
• Parent Speaker: Dr. Corey Stilts, Associate Professor of Chemistry (father of Paige Stilts '23)