Written by Rachel Farrell | May 2025

On May 18, 2025, three graduating seniors—Evrosina Awad (CAS’25), Paige Palinski (Questrom’25), and Sophia Feathersone (COM’25)—stepped up to the podium in Nickerson Field during BU Commencement.

As co-chairs of the 2025 Class Gift, the trio took turns addressing the crowd before making an important announcement: As of that morning, Featherstone said, the Class of 2025 had collectively raised $96,903 for Boston University (since then, the total has risen to $100,265.51). It was the largest Class Gift from graduating seniors since 2020.

Thanking the students, President Melissa Gilliam said: “The Class Gift is a tangible expression of your commitment to Boston University. This commitment began when you first enrolled as students and is confirmed today as you move into the ranks of alumni. In the life of a university, faculty come and go. Presidents come and go. However, alumni are its constant, the unending link of its past, present, and future.”

Watch the students’ Commencement speech: