Members of the Class of 2025 convened for their final class dinner in Thorne Hall on May 19. Longstanding Bowdoin traditions, the Commencing Dinner and Thorndike Oak Toast are opportunities for graduating seniors to reflect on the legacy they leave behind and the ways in which alumni have supported and shaped the College for more than two hundred years.
Senior class agent Ocean Park ’25 delivered welcoming remarks, followed by President Safa Zaki, who thanked the Class of 2025 for welcoming her at Bowdoin and for engaging in deep and meaningful discussions over the past two years.
Zack Marchese ’25 delivered the Thorndike Oak Toast, named for George Thorndike, Class of 1806, a member of Bowdoin’s first graduating class. Marchese shared the story of the Thorndike Oak—the tree on the Quad surrounded by benches—and how Thorndike had planted an acorn on that spot to commemorate his time on campus. “Our impact on this campus has and will continue to be extraordinary,” Marchese said. “Thank you for an amazing four years, and I look forward to the years that come as proud Bowdoin alumni."
Over a dessert of Bowdoin Logs, the class heard from Cole Crawford ’20, who worked in CXD from 2021 to 2024. Crawford shared his story of graduating into uncertain times and the similarities that exist between his class and the Class of 2025. Students cheered when he referenced his campus-famous dog Woody, and clapped when he spoke of meeting his wife, Isabel Crawford ’20, not as students but as Bowdoin employees. “The Bowdoin network works in mysterious ways,” Crawford said. “I know for certain that I would not have met the love of my life had my initial plans not been disrupted.”
At each student’s seat was a note from two alumni leaders—Alumni Council president John Shukie ’99 and Alumni Fund Directors chair Lance Conrad ’91, P’28—along with a small reproduction of a painting of the Quad from Special Collections and a print of their first-year class photo.
Now in its thirteenth year, the 2025 Senior Class Engagement Campaign (SCEC) is overseen by the Office of Annual Giving in partnership with nine senior class agents: Oscar Calle ’25, Catherine Cao ’25, Evan Chapman ’25, Austin Hiscoe ’25, Zack Marchese ’25, Ocean Park ’25, Ben Turnbull ’25, Caroline Vauclain ’25, and Chris Zhang ’25. Throughout their senior year, these class agents hosted events, encouraged classmates to support Bowdoin through their “2025 Pays It Forward” effort, and helped share the many ways new graduates can stay connected to the College.
