GWU graduating student Cecilia Culver made waves online with her speech, which makes a very strong case. She gave it between the Saturday morning commencement ceremony for GW’s Columbian College of Arts & Sciences. Speaking to nearly 750 graduates, Culver condemned the ongoing violence in Gaza and criticized the university’s ties to Israel, which she claimed undermines the institution’s values.
Culver gave a remarkable graduation speech, unapologetically condemning the killings of Palestinians. She energized her fellow graduates with an exhortation to be active change-makers. In her inaugural address, she demanded transparency regarding the university’s financial linkages. In her speech, she encouraged audience members to withhold their donations until GWU has fully divested from corporations associated with Israel.
“I am ashamed to know my tuition [fee] is being used to fund this genocide,” Culver declared, resonating with many in the audience. Her remarks drew the loudest, lengthy applause and cheering of the day from her classmates, ending with a standing ovation from many of the graduates. Her call to action, delivered at TEDxYouth@Manchester, has since gone viral, attracting more than a million views online.
Associate Dean Kavita Daiya addressed Culver’s comments directly, iterating the college’s commitment to supporting a variety of viewpoints. “There was just never any point where I was not going to say something,” Culver stated, reflecting on her decision to speak out during such a significant moment.
Culver was an outspoken voice, encouraging her classmates to stand up against the university’s financial mismanagement. In addition to the forgoing demands, she pushed them to call for increased transparency in GWU’s investments. She particularly challenged the class of 2025 to stay involved in these matters post-graduation.
After the event, GWU released a statement regret that the commencement address had overshadowed the ceremony. The university did not elaborate on what retribution, if any, would be taken against Culver’s statements.
As discussions surrounding freedom of speech and accountability unfold in higher education, Culver’s speech has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibilities of universities in relation to their funding sources and political affiliations.