Academic Innovation

Class Day Crossover honors graduates with celebrity guest speaker, on-campus celebration and more

May 14, 2025 Anna Chapman

students pose for photo
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
student taking photo
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
Sophia Brittain
Knights of Emory Spirit Award winner Sophia Brittain (right).
Lydia Washington
Brit Katz award winner Lydia Washington (right).
recipient of Boisfeuillet Jones Awards
Shreya Savitri Ramanathan (right), Emory College of Arts and Sciences Boisfeuillet Jones Award winner.
recipient of Boisfeuillet Jones Awards
Mackensey Moore (center), Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Boisfeuillet Jones Award winner.
recipient of Boisfeuillet Jones Awards
Giray Yilmaz (center), Goizueta Business School Boisfeuillet Jones Award winner.
class day speaker Karan Brar
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
class day speaker Karan Brar
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
student audience
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
coke toast
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
coke toast
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
coke toast
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
coke toast
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
people lighting candles
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
people cheering at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
people cheering at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
people cheering at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students holding candles at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students holding candles at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students holding candles at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students holding candles at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students at the crossover celebration
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students holding candles at crossover
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
student at crossover party
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
student at crossover party
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students dancing at crossover party
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
students at crossover party
The 2025 Class Day Crossover honored graduating students with an evening full of music, food and fun, featuring remarks from actor Karan Brar.
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Emory’s undergraduate Class of 2025 was honored with an evening full of music, food and celebration just days before Commencement

The evening kicked off with Class Day, a dinner and student reception, featuring a keynote speech by Karan Brar, film and television actor known for his leading roles on Disney’s “Jessie” and “Bunk’d.” During the reception, several individuals were presented with awards.

Then, as dusk fell across campus, students processed in the Candlelight Crossover, a tradition symbolizing undergraduates “crossing over” into alumni status. Faculty, staff, alumni and community members lined the path, cheering students on as they walked towards a glow party in the Emory Student Center featuring student DJs, sweet treats and photo opportunities.

The following awards were presented at Class Day:


Knights of Emory Spirit Awards

  • Sophia Brittain, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
  • Noah Lian, Emory College of Arts and Sciences

This award recognizes outstanding seniors who have made great contributions to the university and promote Emory spirit with passion and selflessness.


Brit Katz Senior Appreciation Award

  • Lydia Washington, executive director of Student Center, Campus Life

Britton Katz, role model, leader and director of residence life, was recognized at the first Class Day celebration in 2003 for his devotion to Emory’s students. The recipient of this award is selected by seniors for service as a role model and friend to the graduating class, for participation in the Emory community beyond their professional duty and who is deemed worthy of special recognition.


Boisfeuillet Jones Awards

  • Shreya Savitri Ramanathan, Emory College of Arts and Sciences
  • Mackensey Moore, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
  • Giray Yilmaz, Goizueta Business School

These medals honor students selected for their good citizenship, outstanding leadership, devoted service to Emory and the community, academic performance and potential to become a “change agent” in their chosen profession and society at large.

Photos by Jenni Girtman, Atlanta Event Photography.

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