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Commencement 2020

Class of 2020: In Their Own Words

Although we can’t celebrate together on Brookings Quad, Student Life wanted to give seniors a chance to reflect on their time at Washington University. So we asked the class of 2020:

What’s one thing you learned during your time at Wash. U. that you didn’t expect to learn?

Here’s what they told us:


Click below to see more from them.

Amina Janjua

Amina Janjua

Amina Janjua

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Studied: Biology and Religious Studies

Extracurriculars: Muslim Student Association, Synapse, math tutor, cell biology research, Bear Leader, Admissions interviewer

Madison Lee

Madison Lee

Madison Lee

Hometown: Old Tappan, New Jersey

Studied: Psychological & Brain Studies and Film & Media Studies

Extracurriculars: Thyrsus, Performing Arts Department productions, Alpha Omicron Pi, Thai Student Association, Asian Multicultural Council

Eric Judson

Eric Judson

Eric Judson

Hometown: West Windsor, New Jersey

Studied: Psychological & Brain Sciences

Extracurriculars: Green Action, All Student Theatre, Thyrsus, Cast N’ Crew

Lizzie Franclemont

Lizzie Franclemont

Lizzie Franclemont

Hometown: Zion, Illinois

Studied: American Culture Studies and Religious Studies

Extracurriculars: Reflections, Student Union Senate and Diversity Affairs Council, tour guide, WUSlam, Uncle Joe’s, resident advisor, Gephardt Institute

Anu Balasubramanian

Anu Balasubramanian

Anu Balasubramanian

Hometown: Westford, Massachusetts

Studied: Biology, Anthropology and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies

Extracurriculars: Frontiers, resident advisor, optical radiology research, Sur Taal Laya a capella

Lexi Jackson

Lexi Jackson

Lexi Jackson

Hometown: Nixa, Missouri

Studied: Business Strategy and Management, Political Science and Spanish

Extracurriculars: WUSA, First Year Center, Bear Studios, Diversity and Inclusion Summit, Delta Sigma Pi, Arch Consulting

Dugan Marieb

Dugan Marieb

Dugan Marieb

Hometown: Portland, Oregon

Studied: Environmental Policy and Finance

Extracurriculars: Student Sustainability Board, Net Impact, Student Environmental Council, Fossil Free WashU, Climbing Team, KWUR

Ben Goodfriend

Ben Goodfriend

Ben Goodfriend

Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland

Studied: Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities and Film & Media Studies

Extracurriculars: TEDxWUSTL, Prison Education Project, Sigma Chi

Nick Matteucci

Nick Matteucci

Nick Matteucci

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Studied: Chemical Engineering

Extracurriculars: Cross Country, Track and Field, Bear Cubs, energy storage research

Taylor Emerson

Taylor Emerson

Taylor Emerson

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Studied: Psychological & Brain Sciences

Extracurriculars: WUSA, Performing Arts Department, student theatre and First Year Orientation productions, Delta Gamma, intramural soccer, tour guide, Mx WashU, MGT100 TA

DeVaughn Rucker

DeVaughn Rucker

DeVaughn Rucker

Hometown: Florissant, Missouri

Studied: Mechanical Engineering

Extracurriculars: Men’s Basketball, National Society of Black Engineers