Each year, ¶¶Ņõ welcomes two student representatives to deliver speeches about their journey so far, the impact Mary Baldwin has had, and their hopes for the future.
As ¶¶Ņõ graduates and celebrates the Class of 2025 this weekend, two remarkable students will take the stage to reflect on their ¶¶Ņõ experience and send off their fellow graduates with wisdom, heart, and a spark of inspiration.
Speaking at the graduate ceremony on Saturday, May 17 is Giavonna āGigiā Wilson DPT ā25, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, whose compassion and instinct for collaboration has made her a leader in the Murphy Deming community. Wilson was initially inspired to pursue healthcare by accompanying her sister to physical and occupational therapy sessions. Eventually, during her undergrad at James Madison University, she realized that physical therapy was right for her, after all.
Representing the undergraduate class at the ceremony on Sunday, May 18, is Gretchen Lutz ā25, a student in the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted graduating with a biology degree with a biomedical emphasis and a minor in chemistry. Earlier this spring, Lutzās capstone project won the āBest Q Awardā at the 2025 Capstone Festival and she is planning to work at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine while volunteering at the Childrenās Hospital of Philadelphia.
I was very introverted and small talk was my enemy … College turned out to be exposure therapy on steroids. And now, Iām glad that I enjoy meeting people now, especially thinking about my career and all the patients Iāll be meeting on a daily basis.
Gretchen Lutz ’25
Q + A with Our Speakers
What song do you have on repeat for the leadup week to Commencement?
Gretchen: āGood Riddance/Time of Your Lifeā by Green Day
Gigi: āBright Lights Bigger Cityā by CeeLo Green
What was the hardest part of writing your speech?
Gretchen: For me, it was where to start, and I actually talk about the process in my speech. I had two ideas when I started: first, be original; second, thereās no such thing as an original Commencement speech. So in the end, I decided to stay mindful of giving the advice that I feel qualified to give from the lessons I learned at ¶¶Ņõ.
Gigi: Condensing all the memories Iāve made has definitely been the hardest. I can just go on and list all the good times, the surprises, and even the struggles and what I learned from them. I just want to share it all ā but I have to condense it to the best stuff.
Giving a speech to everyone at Commencement can be scary, but college is all about overcoming fears. Whatās one thing you used to be scared of that doesnāt phase you now?
Gretchen: Meeting new people. I was very introverted and small talk was my enemy. I remember when I went to sleep-away camp for the first time, my mom had to tell me that she wouldnāt leave until she saw me introduce myself to one other person. College turned out to be exposure therapy on steroids. And now, Iām glad that I enjoy meeting people now, especially thinking about my career and all the patients Iāll be meeting on a daily basis.
Gigi: Trying new things! I used to be intimidated by the unknown of things I never tried before. But with this program, Iāve always had the support to know that, even if something goes wrong, that everyone would be able to help me succeed. One of my professors always says āyou need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,ā and that really sums it up.
Speaking at Commencement, youāll have plenty of support from lots of your closest classmates, professors, and staff members in attendance. Whoās someone at ¶¶Ņõ who changed your life ā and how?
Gretchen: If I can say two people, I have to mention first Dr. [Rebecca] Haberman, who worked as my thesis and academic advisor. She would sit with me in her office and map out everything that I was trying to put together, and I really couldnāt do it without her. My roommate and best friend Ada Bozikov is the other person for me. We were on the same track the whole way, and we even worked as TAs together recently. We told everyone in that class āfind someone you can talk to and really ask these questions that you wonāt get a chance to with every classmate.ā College is just such an adventure, itās critical to have someone like that.
Gigi: Honestly, I have to say Dr. [Marty] Fontenot. Iām our class president, and heās always been there to help me grow as a leader and guide me through the difficult times. When I had some self doubt, he would let me work through it, but also remind me āThis is what youāre capable of, this is what I know you can do. You just have to see if for yourself.ā
Whatās the one thing you hope your classmates take away from your speech?
Gretchen: Just to be really excited. About getting to move forward, about embracing the mystery of what comes next, and about all the possibilities. Iām lucky that I have a job lined up, but I was really anxious when I got it that I wonāt have a school to rely on anymore. Being a student is such a big part of my identity and I realized that I wonāt have a school to rely on for housing and food and everything else. Itāll be up to me ā which is really scary, but also really exciting. And I just hope everyone finds their own way to embrace that excitement.
Gigi: I would say to be proud of yourself. Itās not easy, and not everyone makes it to the end from where we started. Itās really easy to feel frustrated, but I want everyone to remember what theyāve accomplished and see that theyāll only keep going up from here.
Join the entire Mary Baldwin community on Page Terrace on May 17 and 18 as we cheer on the voices of the Class of 2025 ā bold, brilliant, and all in for Mary Baldwin. Canāt make it? You can still enjoy ¶¶Ņõās Commencement at home! , and make sure to subscribe to never miss a video update!