Senior Toast at Stetson has historically been a time of celebration, reflection and joy — mixed with a dash of melancholy. This year’s event on April 21 at the President’s Garden across from campus held more of the same. In other words, it was grand.

Or “bigger and better.” Those were the words used by Justin Gates, a vocal performance major, to capture his emotions.

“We’re going on to bigger and better things, and we’re all celebrating right now,” he said. “I’m just glad I get to spend it with the people I love and the people that I’ve grown with.” 

Added Kaylan Hernandez, also majoring in vocal performance: “I’m very nostalgic. I feel like we haven’t had a lot of time to come together with others and celebrate, being a music major. It’s very exciting and a sweet farewell.”

Gates and Hernandez met as sophomores. They’re now dating. 

Wearing a suit and a Stetson hat, Damian Curtis called the event “really cool.” 

“I think it means a lot because after four years goes by we get to see everyone that we came into school with,” commented Curtis, a health sciences major. “… Looking back, just how young everyone used to be and how much we’ve progressed and matured over time.” 

Sitting with friends at a table, Elena Djoković, a corporate finance major from Belgrade, Serbia, was beaming at the bittersweet scene. 

“After four years at Stetson, it’s coming to an end. We’re about to graduate,” said Djoković, who also starred on the volleyball team. “It’s pretty sad that we’re all kind of parting ways. But I’m sure that some of the friendships and relationship I’ve made over this time are going to be lifelong.”

At the 2023 Senior Toast, approximately 250 graduating seniors gathered to smile, share and smile again. Yes, there are a few tears, too. Such were the emotions on display with Commencement beckoning less than two weeks away, May 6 at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. All totaled, 702 undergraduates are scheduled to receive degrees.

(See Flickr photos here and video here.)

At the podium, Lynn Schoenberg, associate vice president for Campus Life & Student Success and dean of Students, set the stage. Schoenberg quoted famous American lecturer, poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson: “What lies behind us, and what lies before us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Schoenberg spoke of motivations and passions, and their evolution over time. 

Stetson President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD — the party host  — saluted the Class of 2023 with a characteristic “Can I get a GO HATTERS?”

“We are really, really proud of all that you have accomplished,” Roellke told the seniors, many of whom were in suits and gowns. “You’ve done it under some fairly trying circumstances, needless to say, but you have been resilient. You have had empathy for one another and for those that are seeking to teach you, and perhaps most importantly, you have been kind to one another. And I hope that’s something that you’ll take with you beyond, as you’ll always be part of what I like to call Hatter Nation.” 

Then it was, well, party time, including that one traditional, quintessentially Stetson moment — the champagne toast. 

Special.

And even more special for Brianna and Chris Walker. Like the others, they’ll be leaving the university with a degree — plus a spouse. Meeting on campus as sophomores, they married last July before their seniors year began. 

“This is a special way to get together with all the students that you’ve had classes with and different events over the years. So, it’s definitely emotional,” said Brianna, an American studies major. 

“This is a time to get together with our colleagues and celebrate all the many achievements and milestones that have been achieved throughout our time at Stetson,” concluded Chris, who majored in health sciences and psychology. 

It was that kind of celebration.

-Michael Candelaria