Meet Aiden Markoff, student speaker for the Class of 2025 Commencement

Aiden Markoff ‘25 is the student speaker at Commencement on Sunday, June 15. He auditioned for the honor and was chosen by a student committee.

Hometown: Lake Sunapee, N.H.

Majors: English, economics

Activities: Football; co-president of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; member of Wells House; Zoller Elementary Pen Pal

Favorite Class: “19th Century Novel: An Adventure in Slow-Reading” with Jennifer Mitchell ’04, associate professor of English. This course was unlike any English course I have ever taken as we only read one book the entire term. Not only was “The Woman in White” a brilliant mystery, stirring many a lively discussion, but the slow-reading approach gave me a deeper appreciation for the novel and reading, as well. This approach allowed us to consider the importance of slowing down and appreciating process detail - in reading and in life. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Mitchell for her unique approach and unmatched enthusiasm for inspiring a love of reading and analysis.

What I will miss most: My Wells House family. My housemates have become more like siblings. I will miss the days of competing together on the field, studying alongside one another and supporting each other's academic interests across different fields, the daily joys of heated debates and playing cards, and knowing always that I could count on them for anything. While our bonds will transcend beyond Wells, I certainly will miss getting to share life together every day.

Advice for incoming students: It's cool to care. Union will provide you with immense opportunities in academics, athletics, arts, community engagement and beyond; however, it is up to you to care and turn your passion into action. You will surprise yourself with your capacity to make a difference in your life and the lives of others just by showing up with enthusiasm and excitement to give your all to the task at hand. Find the one thing (or the many) that will allow you to care about your interests and your community and fully pour yourself into it.

Life after Union: I am currently pursuing a career in sports media research, aiming to participate in the tradition of sports storytelling as I hope to inspire others with the stories of sports that have shaped and inspired me for my entire life.