Three members of the Class of 2025 earned the distinction of salutatorian as a result of achieving the second highest grade point average in the class.
Viraj Brahmbhatt
Hometown: Johnson City, Tenn.
Major: Interdepartmental major (ID) in biology and economics; Leadership in Medicine program (MBA in Healthcare Management)
Activities: Club soccer; Biology Club public relations chair; Golf Club; economics tutor, Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics); Johnson City Medical Center Emergency Department research in efficacy of pre-hospital interventions
Favorite Class: Immunology with Rob Lauzon, professor of biological sciences. It was fascinating to learn about the body's defense system. Dr. Lauzon’s lecturing style and passion made the class both captivating and unforgettable.
What I will miss most: The beauty of campus and time spent enjoying the outdoors. I am incredibly thankful for the friends who have become like family over the past four years.
Advice for incoming students: These four years bring many unique challenges, meaningful growth and unforgettable experiences. The trimester can feel fast-paced but don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Remember to make time for the moments that matter and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Life after Union: I will be continuing my journey in medicine at Albany Medical College in the MD class of 2029.
Sara Davis
Hometown: Albany, N.Y.
Major: Biomedical engineering
Minor: Electrical engineering
Activities: Treasurer of the Society of Women Engineers; Tau Beta Pi; Biomedical Engineering Society; Association for Women in Mathematics.
Favorite class: “Biomedical Instrumentation” with Professor Takashi Buma. This was one of the most challenging yet interesting classes I have taken, where I greatly enjoyed learning about the intricacies of electronic instrumentation in medicine.
What I will miss most: All of the relationships I have made here at Union. From faculty to students, so many people have influenced the person I am today.
Advice for incoming students: Be sure to live in the moment and don’t take a second for granted. We only get four years here, and they go by so fast!
Life after Union: Traveling as much as I can before I figure out what my next chapter will be.
Ariana Rogowski
Hometown: Niskayuna, N.Y.
Major: History
Minor: Classics
Activities: Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Alpha Theta; Scholars Program; Messa House Council (co-chair); The Idol Literary Magazine (vice president and literary editor); UVOTE; History For U.
Favorite Class: “Beginning Ancient Greek” with Hans Friedrich Mueller, the Thomas Lamont Professor of Ancient and Modern Literature and chair of classics. I have always enjoyed learning foreign languages and Ancient Greek was no different. Not everyone gets the chance to study ancient mythology in its original language!
What I will miss most: The incredible faculty, staff, and students in the History Department. I was lucky enough to study what I love at Union and the professors here only enhanced my affinity for the subject. Thanks to the History Department, I am leaving Union with academic as well as life skills and supportive bonds that will last a lifetime.
Advice for incoming students: You deserve to be here. You deserve to pursue what you love. You deserve to make mistakes and bounce back from them even stronger than before. Be a positive force in your own life and in those of the people around you.
Life after Union: I will be pursuing a J.D. at the University of Connecticut School of Law in the fall, in the interest of practicing family law.
Commencement news
