Fourth Year Trustees
Photography by Cat White
If you’re reading this, we’re proud to have shared this University with you.
“After all of the darkness and sadness, soon comes happiness.
If I surround myself with positive things, I'll gain prosperity”
- Michelle Williams
With Graduation rapidly approaching, the Class of 2024 Fourth Year Trustees would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the University and our class. From the moment we stepped foot on Grounds, we were faced with challenges unlike any other class before us. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives in ways we could have never imagined, forcing us to adapt to virtual learning, social distancing, and a myriad of other uncertainties. Our class struggled greatly to develop a sense of unity and find its place on Grounds.
Despite the initial adversity, we refused to let it define us. Instead, we chose resilience. We joined clubs. We went to virtual office hours. We sometimes snuck into our friends’ dorms to watch a movie. We cherished our limited interactions and celebrated as restrictions slowly lifted.
By the time a sense of normalcy was reestablished, the clock was already ticking on our time here. We were rising to executive positions in organizations we had never met with in person. We were finding internships that would lead to careers before we attended our first true college party. Our lives were already in motion, but we still needed to take in the moment and find our place as Hoos.
Together, we championed causes that mattered to us, from advocating for diversity and inclusion on Grounds to spearheading sustainability initiatives that will leave a lasting impact for generations to come. We organized fundraisers, volunteered in our local communities, and stood up for what we believed in, proving that the Class of 2024 is not just made up of individuals, but a massive force for positive change.
As hope for the second half of our journey here rose, tragedy struck our school once again. In the face of the loss of three of our classmates, the Class of 2024 showed that, despite beginning with distance between us, we had fostered a truly incredible unity. We emerged from 2022 with a wounded spirit, but a will to continue and a fire in our hearts to honor those we had lost. Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D'Sean Perry will forever remain in the memory and hearts of not just the class of 2024, but all of UVA.
As we prepare to embark on the next chapter of our lives, let us take a moment to celebrate how far we've come. We entered this university during a time of uncertainty, but we are leaving it stronger and more resilient. Each one of us has played a part in shaping the legacy of our class, and for that, we should be immensely proud. As we bid farewell to the University of Virginia, let us carry the lessons we've learned, the friendships we've forged, and the memories we've created.
Now, with just a few weeks left of our journey, let’s enjoy these last moments we have united in Charlottesville. We hope to see you at those last a cappella concerts, sports games, and formals. Most of all, we hope to see you at our final Fourth Year Trustees events, including Valedictory Exercises featuring keynote speaker, Ryan Zimmerman.
It has been an absolute honor for us to serve this class through the last four years. We are endlessly grateful for your support and are looking forward to continuing our work as we make the scary, yet exciting transition to being UVA alumni.
Congratulations, Class of 2024. Our future is bright, and the best is yet to come.
With heartfelt gratitude and endless pride,
Kyle H., University of Virginia
On behalf of the Class of 2024 Fourth Year Trustees
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