For the class of 2025, the last four years have been full of incredible memories, both in personal lives and in popular culture. Reflect on some major milestones by seeing which era defining moment from 2021 to 2025 we think corresponds to the college you're graduating from.
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Heidi Klum’s worm costume
Heidi Klum is known for her elaborate Halloween looks, but the world collectively gasped upon seeing her as a giant worm in 2022. Klum said the costume took two years to make and was applauded for her dedication. No matter how scary something seems, Agriculture and Natural Resources graduates, you mustn’t give up on it.
Arts and Letters: Barbenheimer
The two biggest films of 2023, "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," were released on the same day, thus dubbing July 21, 2023, as Barbenheimer Day. The glittery fun of "Barbie" paired with the grim World War II retelling of "Oppenheimer" created quite the dichotomy. It was an event as creatively diverse as you are, Arts and Letters graduates!
Communication Arts and Sciences: The 12-hour TikTok ban
Since the dawn of the 2020s, TikTok has been an outlet for creativity and idea sharing. Though talks of it being banned have taken place multiple times, users feared that it had come to fruition during a brief blackout in January 2025. No one is more versed in the nuances of the media landscape as Communication Arts and Sciences graduates.
Education: The Duolingo owl dying
The cartoon mascot for the language education app Duolingo was pronounced dead in February 2025 via Instagram, cause unknown. How curious that he passed just months before your commencement, education graduates. Maybe this feathered instructor was scared to death of the competition you're bringing!
Business: The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift’s nearly two year-long embark on The Eras Tour boosted the economy in every city she visited as thousands flooded in to see the pop princess. Talk about good business. Wishing you a career full of "Style" and a not so "Cruel Summer," Broad College of Business graduates!
Engineering: Katy Perry going to space
Katy Perry and her five co-passengers made history in 2025 as the first all-female crew to make the trip into outer space. As you begin your careers, engineering graduates, you too will make history. Unlike Perry’s voyage, your successes will definitely last longer than 11 minutes.
James Madison: #FreeBritney
After thirteen years under the control of her father, Britney Spears was freed from her conservatorship in 2021. People across the world rallied behind her in the #FreeBritney movement, bringing more attention to the legal battle. Wishing you victories as big as Britney’s on your journeys, probably also in the courtroom, James Madison College graduates!
Lyman Briggs: Lil Tay’s death and revival
Lil Tay initially gained fame for her luxurious lifestyle in 2018. Though it was announced that she had passed in March 2023, that was quickly proven to have been faked and Tay came back better than ever. So don’t fear the unexpected turns in life, Briggs graduates, because there will always be something greater around the corner, and maybe one day with your medical expertise, you can explain her unforeseen resurrection.
Music: Colleen Ballinger’s apology song
When YouTube star Colleen Ballinger found herself under fire in 2023, she resorted to addressing the drama through song. Your creativity and talent will take you many places, music graduates. Hoping that the "toxic gossip train" and "manipulation station" are not on your path.
Natural Science: Bridgit Mendler’s satellite company
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Bridgit Mendler rose to fame on the Disney Channel series, "Good Luck Charlie." Since then she has made a name for herself outside of acting, launching a satellite data startup in 2023. If you have dreams that are out of this world, then good luck natural science graduates!
Nursing: The Slap
At the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith responded to one of Chris Rock’s jokes by walking on stage and delivering him a palm sandwich. While you may not deal with many star-studded injuries as that slap, while you begin taking care of your community, future nurses, remember to work so hard that the people won’t be able to keep your name out of their mouths. In a good way, of course.
Residential College in the Arts and Humanities: Brat Summer
Inspired by Charli xcx’s 2024 album "Brat," Brat Summer was all about fun, creativity and confidence. Each of those qualities is right at home in Snyder Phillips, and RCAH students are known for their artistic ways of thinking. There’s nothing "so confusing" about your success, arts and humanities graduates.
Social Science: Devious licks
A "devious lick" refers to an item that students stole from their schools, ranging from signs to sinks. It would have been hard to find a school bathroom with all utilities intact in 2021. Maybe you, the social science graduate, can figure out exactly what it is that results in trends like this in your future careers.
Veterinary Medicine: Moo Deng
Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, earned worldwide fame for her adorableness and her habit of biting her caretakers’ knees in 2024. As you embark on your next chapter, veterinary medicine graduates, don’t be afraid to be a little feisty as well.
