Each year, MBU welcomes two student representatives to deliver speeches about their journey so far, the impact Mary Baldwin has had, and their hopes for the future.
As Mary Baldwin University graduates and celebrates the Class of 2025 this weekend, two remarkable students will take the stage to reflect on their MBU experience and send off their fellow graduates with wisdom, heart, and a spark of inspiration.
Speaking at the graduate ceremony on Saturday, May 17 is Giavonna “Gigi” Wilson DPT ’25, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, whose compassion and instinct for collaboration has made her a leader in the Murphy Deming community. Wilson was initially inspired to pursue healthcare by accompanying her sister to physical and occupational therapy sessions. Eventually, during her undergrad at James Madison University, she realized that physical therapy was right for her, after all.
Representing the undergraduate class at the ceremony on Sunday, May 18, is Gretchen Lutz ‘25, a student in the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted graduating with a biology degree with a biomedical emphasis and a minor in chemistry. Earlier this spring, Lutz’s capstone project won the “Best Q Award” at the 2025 Capstone Festival and she is planning to work at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine while volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
I was very introverted and small talk was my enemy … College turned out to be exposure therapy on steroids. And now, I’m glad that I enjoy meeting people now, especially thinking about my career and all the patients I’ll be meeting on a daily basis.
Gretchen Lutz ’25
Q + A with Our Speakers
What song do you have on repeat for the leadup week to Commencement?
Gretchen: “Good Riddance/Time of Your Life” by Green Day
Gigi: “Bright Lights Bigger City” by CeeLo Green
What was the hardest part of writing your speech?
Gretchen: For me, it was where to start, and I actually talk about the process in my speech. I had two ideas when I started: first, be original; second, there’s no such thing as an original Commencement speech. So in the end, I decided to stay mindful of giving the advice that I feel qualified to give from the lessons I learned at MBU.
Gigi: Condensing all the memories I’ve made has definitely been the hardest. I can just go on and list all the good times, the surprises, and even the struggles and what I learned from them. I just want to share it all — but I have to condense it to the best stuff.
Giving a speech to everyone at Commencement can be scary, but college is all about overcoming fears. What’s one thing you used to be scared of that doesn’t phase you now?
Gretchen: Meeting new people. I was very introverted and small talk was my enemy. I remember when I went to sleep-away camp for the first time, my mom had to tell me that she wouldn’t leave until she saw me introduce myself to one other person. College turned out to be exposure therapy on steroids. And now, I’m glad that I enjoy meeting people now, especially thinking about my career and all the patients I’ll be meeting on a daily basis.
Gigi: Trying new things! I used to be intimidated by the unknown of things I never tried before. But with this program, I’ve always had the support to know that, even if something goes wrong, that everyone would be able to help me succeed. One of my professors always says “you need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” and that really sums it up.
Speaking at Commencement, you’ll have plenty of support from lots of your closest classmates, professors, and staff members in attendance. Who’s someone at MBU who changed your life — and how?
Gretchen: If I can say two people, I have to mention first Dr. [Rebecca] Haberman, who worked as my thesis and academic advisor. She would sit with me in her office and map out everything that I was trying to put together, and I really couldn’t do it without her. My roommate and best friend Ada Bozikov is the other person for me. We were on the same track the whole way, and we even worked as TAs together recently. We told everyone in that class “find someone you can talk to and really ask these questions that you won’t get a chance to with every classmate.” College is just such an adventure, it’s critical to have someone like that.
Gigi: Honestly, I have to say Dr. [Marty] Fontenot. I’m our class president, and he’s always been there to help me grow as a leader and guide me through the difficult times. When I had some self doubt, he would let me work through it, but also remind me “This is what you’re capable of, this is what I know you can do. You just have to see if for yourself.”
What’s the one thing you hope your classmates take away from your speech?
Gretchen: Just to be really excited. About getting to move forward, about embracing the mystery of what comes next, and about all the possibilities. I’m lucky that I have a job lined up, but I was really anxious when I got it that I won’t have a school to rely on anymore. Being a student is such a big part of my identity and I realized that I won’t have a school to rely on for housing and food and everything else. It’ll be up to me — which is really scary, but also really exciting. And I just hope everyone finds their own way to embrace that excitement.
Gigi: I would say to be proud of yourself. It’s not easy, and not everyone makes it to the end from where we started. It’s really easy to feel frustrated, but I want everyone to remember what they’ve accomplished and see that they’ll only keep going up from here.
Join the entire Mary Baldwin community on Page Terrace on May 17 and 18 as we cheer on the voices of the Class of 2025 — bold, brilliant, and all in for Mary Baldwin. Can’t make it? You can still enjoy MBU’s Commencement at home! Just visit the Mary Baldwin University YouTube channel, and make sure to subscribe to never miss a video update!