Trinity Washington University’s College of Arts and Sciences celebrated its Dean’s List honorees for the 2025-2026 academic year at a ceremony on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in Social Hall. A total of 348 students earned Dean’s List status during the school year, and the room was filled to capacity with recipients, their proud families and friends — as well as faculty, advisors, and staff. Dr. Melissa Harris, Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, opened the program noting the circumstances many honorees navigate. “Some of these students are parents; some are employed full time and full time students,” Harris said. “Achieving this academic accomplishment should be celebrated.”

Dr. Sita Ramamurti, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, followed with opening remarks. To make the Dean’s List, an undergraduate must earn 12 credits in the College of Arts and Sciences and attain a GPA of 3.5 or above for the semester, with no incomplete or failing grades. But Ramamurti told the honorees that the distinction means more than the numbers. “This academic achievement is about more than grades. It reflects the discipline to give your best, the responsibility to take your learning seriously, and the determination to keep growing. You have demonstrated all three qualities.”

Ramamurti concluded her remarks with a message about motivation. “Excellence is a drive from the inside, not the outside. It is not for someone else to notice, but for your own satisfaction and efficiency. By being here today, you have shown us that you have the inner motivation, the inner drive to excel. Congratulations, we celebrate you, we are proud of you, and we wish you continued success.” She then introduced the guest speaker.

The featured speaker was Danielle McLean, MBA, CAE, CFE, CNAP, NACD, a proud Trinity alumna who earned both her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and her Master of Business Administration at the university (Classes of 2017 and 2018). She is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the American Financial Services Association, where she leads finance, accounting, human resources, and information technology. Returning to campus felt “very full circle,” McLean told the honorees, recalling that she made the Dean’s List twice herself. She described a path from her Trinity classroom to the boardroom that was never a straight line: she learned as she went, asked questions, and adjusted after mistakes. Her message to students was that not yet knowing how to do something should never be mistaken for a limit, and that the answer is to say “I can,” then take the next step. “Keep showing up,” McLean said. “When the next challenge feels bigger than what you know how to do, remember: not knowing how is not the same thing as not being able to.”

The full list of 2025-2026 Dean’s List Award recipients is available on the Academic Affairs website.

The College of Arts and Sciences congratulates its scholars for the effort behind their achievements. To all of this year’s honorees, Trinity extends its best wishes for continued success in their academic journeys at Trinity.