The 25 stories that defined 2025

Content Warning: This article and corresponding image contain references to hateful language, slur use and gun violence.

Unknown party writes N-word in snow on McDonough Field
By Madi Olivier and Jack Rutherford
Jan. 10

An unknown party wrote large letters spelling out the N-word in the snow covering Emory University’s McDonough Field in the afternoon of Jan. 10.

Assistant Vice President of University Communications Laura Diamond wrote in an email to The Emory Wheel that the Emory Police Department was reviewing the security camera footage.

“Emory unequivocally condemns this appalling act that only serves to disrupt our campus and divide our community,” Diamond wrote. “Emory will pursue all applicable pathways to hold those that did this accountable.”

While Emory’s Respect for Open Expression Policy, which the University revised in March, did not explicitly prohibit the use of any specific words, phrases or hate speech, it states that the University “affirms values of diversity, inclusion and community.”

Editorial: No funding, no future: Emory students will graduate into hopelessness
By The Editorial Board
Feb. 6

As Emory University graduating seniors prepared for post-graduate employment, The Emory Wheel’s Editorial Board argued that students were graduating into a discouraging world.

In his first month in office, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the World Health Organization, issued executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion, and oversaw an increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence near college campuses.

Halle Gordon (25C), who was planning in February to pursue a Ph.D. in African American literature, was uncertain about her place in the field, which the Trump administration threatened to make “censored.”

“As a Black female person trying to go into this field, inherently, it’s incredibly scary,” Gordon said.

The board argued that while Emory admits undocumented students and ensures that they have the same resources as their peers, the University does not have the power to protect students against ICE.

“Emory students and faculty, along with countless other vulnerable immigrant academics, should not have to live in fear of deportation,” the board wrote. “Everyone in the United States deserves the same rights to education and the same safe environment to learn within.”

Community protests state of public health outside CDC
By Jacob Muscolino
Feb. 19 

Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s moves to cut National Institutes of Health funding for “indirect costs” and 10% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workforce, nearly 200 people gathered outside of the CDC’s Headquarters to protest the Trump administration.

Julia Greenfield (25PH) emphasized the importance of the CDC’s research, especially infectious disease-related research. She said it was “absolutely heartbreaking” to see Trump’s cuts to CDC funding.

“Today we’re seeing a lot of validation that we haven’t had in a while,” Greenfield said. “After the election, I felt a bit outnumbered because it’s just really heartbreaking to have the field that you’re so passionate about be devalued and defunded.

Emory announces new Open Expression Policy
By Ellie Fivas and Spencer Friedland 
March 20

Emory University announced a new Open Expression Policy on March 20. This came after concerns with the previous policy after the University involved police who broke up two separate protests. The first being on April 25, 2023, where students protested the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, colloquially known as “Cop City.” A year later, police broke up a pro-Palestine encampment on April 25, 2024 and arrested 28 people.

The new policy commits to a content-neutral approach to address issues related to open expression and policy violations. It also includes revisions that clarify existing guidelines relating to time, place and manner restrictions. A University Senate subcommittee focusing on open expression gave recommendations to the University administration.

“The subcommittee worked diligently for five months and produced a draft proposal,” then University Senate President George Shepherd wrote in a March 20 email to the Emory community. “A team from the subcommittee then met many times over six weeks with a team from Emory’s administration.” 

ICE terminates visas of 3 Emory alumni, 1 current student
By Ellie Fivas 
April 10 

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) terminated the records of three Emory University alumni and one current student’s visa on April 8, according to an email sent from former Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Lanny Liebeskind. 

The termination follows the U.S. government’s revocation of more than 500 student visas around April 11. The University has shared no information on whether ICE had deported any Emory alumni or students. 

Emory’s Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) “regularly monitors” the status of student visas, which led them to discover the changes to the individual’s records, according to Liebeskind. The ISSS also uses the federal Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to track the visa statuses of students and sponsored alumni. 

Two weeks later, a federal court order restored the SEVIS status of the current student who ICE had previously stripped of their visa.

Emory University suspends SGA, citing alleged ‘discriminatory harassment’
By Jack Rutherford and Eva Roytburg
April 17

Emory University’s Office of Student Conduct (OSC) suspended the Student Government Association (SGA) and its subdivision, College Council, due to behavior “potentially constituting discriminatory harassment,” according to an OSC notification.

Director of Community Standards and Education Victor Lopez wrote in an April 14 email to the College Council email account that SGA and College Council engaged in the alleged misconduct between April 7 and April 10.

Lopez wrote that members of both organizations allegedly “publicly levied unsubstantiated allegations rooted in discriminatory assumptions, bias, and stereotypes, adversely impacting students’ reputations, emotional wellbeing, and equitable access to leadership positions.” 

Both SGA and College Council were required to “cease all group-related activities” during the pause. This included meetings, events, official gatherings and elections. 

SGA would not hold a meeting until Oct. 8, 175 days after the bodies’ last meeting. Neither the University nor the SGA has ever publicly disclosed the reason the University suspended the organizations.

Protesters ‘afraid’ as few attend encampment anniversary
By Spencer Friedland
April 26

On April 25, 2024, police arrested 28 people on the Emory University Quadrangle while removing a pro-Palestine encampment. One year later, around 50 people protested on the Quad and remembered the events of April 25, 2024. 

Candler School of Theology Associate Professor of Historical Theology and Christian Worship L. Edward Phillips (79T) said the smaller turnout reflected students' fear under the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

“It’s clear that there’s just a lot of people who are afraid,” Phillips said. “You don’t have to actually arrest people sometime to suppress freedom of speech.”

David Meer (26G), one of the event organizers, believed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s revocation of international students’ visas who publicly expressed their views on the Israel-Hamas war caused the diminished attendance.

Additionally, Meer said the low numbers at the protest were due to the Emory community’s “local trauma” from the University and police response to last year’s encampment. 

‘Left Out of Our Own Commencement’: Emory moves ceremony indoors, parents, students express frustration
By Spencer Friedland
May 11

Emory University announced it would hold its commencement indoors for the second consecutive year after the National Weather Service forecasted severe weather for May 12. Emory held its 180th Commencement in the George W. Woodruff Physical Education Center.

Originally, all Emory College of Arts and Sciences (ECAS) students were supposed to receive their diplomas at a 10 a.m. ceremony. However, Bachelor of Arts students would instead be awarded diplomas at an 8 a.m. ceremony, and Bachelor of Science candidates would receive theirs at a 10:30 a.m. ceremony.

Only those at the 8 a.m. ceremony were in person to hear Usher’s commencement speech, while other students were able to watch the keynote online.

Daisy Macias (25B) expressed frustration at the University’s decision not to include all students and its communication in an email to the Emory Commencement team.

“The communication around this decision has made it seem like it's not a big deal, which is quite disheartening,” Macias wrote. “College commencement is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and the idea that we can only participate through a live stream feels extremely disappointing after years of hard work.

Fenves leaves university presidency, appointed chancellor
By Clement Lee and Ellie Fivas
May 27

A May 27 University press release announced that then Emory University President Gregory Fenves was set to leave his position on Sept. 1 after five years in the role and become the University’s sixth chancellor. The Emory Board of Trustees appointed Board of Trustees Vice Chair and former Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears (80L) as interim president.

The release stated that Fenves’ new appointment came at a “challenging moment for higher education.” Emory had not had a chancellor since Emory Healthcare CEO Emeritus Michael Johns held the position from 2007 to 2012.

Sears previously taught as an adjunct law professor at Emory and a visiting professor in family law at the University of Georgia School of Law. She is the second woman and first Black person to serve as Emory’s president.

Board of Trustees Chair Robert Goddard III emphasized Sears’ strong leadership as the University began a search for the next president.

“I’ve been privileged to work with Leah during my tenure as chair, and she’s one of the sharpest and most principled leaders I know,” Goddard said. “She’s a great listener and a consensus builder. We’re extremely fortunate she is willing to take on this role, and I know she will guide the university with a strong and steady hand until we select a new president.”

Women’s golf captures national championship, Carys Code wins individual title
By Sammy Brodsky
May 29

The Emory University women’s golf team won the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship during the May 13-16 tournament, the second national championship in the program’s history.

Sophomore Carys Code finished with the second individual national championship after she shot a NCAA Division III championship record-breaking 285 (-3). Despite rainy and windy weather in Williamsburg, Va., Code said the team relied on consistent putting and short game. She noted that she made many “high-pressure putts” toward the end.

“After last year’s nationals, I haven’t thought about anything else except for this year’s, so this has been marked on my calendar for a long time,” Code said. “So to have all my hard work and all my preparation pay off at the biggest tournament, it’s just an incredible feeling.” 

25 years, 5 presidents: Leadership turnover poses ‘disconcerting’ issue for university
By Spencer Friedland and Jack Rutherford
June 6

The announcement that Gregory Fenves would leave his role as president to become the University’s sixth chancellor highlighted Emory University's frequent leadership turnover compared to peer institutions.

In contrast to 10 of Emory’s peer institutions, which averaged 2.7 presidents since 2000, Emory had 4, on its way to 5. Emory is the only institution among these with more than three presidents since the turn of the century.

The position of president is not the only role at Emory that has seen relatively high rates of turnover. The average tenure of a provost at Emory since 2000 has been 4.4 years, while it is nearly double at 8.13 years at peer institutions.

University Senate Past President George Shepherd said the University should look to reduce its leadership turnover and find leaders “committed to being here.”

“This should stop being a revolving door with so many leadership changes, and we need to find somebody who will come and stay,” Shepherd said. “That was a concern of everybody, including President Fenves.”

Active shooter causes ‘police emergency’ at Emory Point
By Clement Lee
Aug. 8

A gunman fired shots outside of Emory Point and killed a DeKalb County police officer on Aug. 8. According to police reports, the shooter’s motivations were linked to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose headquarters are adjacent to the Point apartment complex. 

Emory University instructed community members via email and text at 5:02 p.m. to “RUN, HIDE, FIGHT” and to stay clear of the area surrounding Point. By 6:43 p.m., the Atlanta Police Department announced that there was no longer an active threat near Emory Point. Law enforcement located the shooter on the second floor of the building that houses the CVS pharmacy at Point. 

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens led a press conference after the shooting and confirmed there had been no civilian casualties and that police believed the suspect was a single shooter.

“Mass shootings and active shooter scenarios should not become the norm,” Dickens said. “We have a number of individuals in this country that have access to high-power weapons. … We have to put an end to that in our society.”

Opinion: Students deserve transparency regarding future of Campus Life
By Sohan Bellam
Aug. 22

In the wake of top campus life officials departing Emory University, Sohan Bellam (26C) criticized the lack of transparency at Emory University amid rising leadership turnover. Bellam wrote that the University was facing a “credibility crisis” due to unclear communication between the Board of Trustees and University leadership with students and faculty.

Bellam, as the then Student Government Association (SGA) speaker of the senate, advocated for “shared governance” between the University Senate, SGA and other governing bodies, writing that he believes the University should better communicate leadership changes and their reasons to students.

Following the departure of multiple campus deans during the summer of 2025, Bellam expressed concern that their absence would erode the community and belonging they championed. Bellam hoped that the University would prioritize clear communication with students in the future and that students’ experiences at Emory would not be hampered by the departures of campus leaders.

“The sudden and nearly complete elimination of Campus Life leadership, carried out without explanation, risks leaving students without the advocates they need and undermines the transparency that should guide major university decisions,” Bellam wrote.

Emory Athletics wins Learfield Directors' Cup for first time
By Chloe Nam
Aug. 22

The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) awarded Emory University Athletics the 2024-25 Division III Learfield Directors’ Cup on June 10. NACDA awards this honor annually to the top athletic program within each division. 

Emory finished first in achieving this honor by obtaining the most points from MACDA, which awards points based on how universities finish in NCAA championships across their various sports. 

Since the award first developed in the 1995-1996 athletic cycle, Emory has finished in the top 10 24 times and earned second-place recognition three times. The 2024-25 year was the first instance in which Emory took home the Learfield.

Director of Athletics Keiko Price-Carter applauded the entire athletics department at Emory for its work toward this honor and encouraged coaches and faculty to support the University’s athletes in maintaining a positive experience. 

“We want to be competitive, don’t want to be complacent, but to embrace the Division III philosophy, which is to support our students in having a well-balanced experience while also competing for championships,” Price-Carter said.  

Emory ends DEI programs
By Ellie Fivas and Spencer Friedland
Sept. 3

Interim President Leah Ward Sears (80L) announced in an email to the Emory University community on Sept. 3 that the University would “discontinue” its current Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices and programs. Sears attributed these changes to compliance with federal DEI directives. 

Sears wrote in the email that the University’s Office of General Counsel would help University leadership navigate the transitions and changes that closing DEI offices and programs would entail. 

The interim President shared that despite these changes, the University would remain committed to principles of community and belonging.

“Closing offices or reimagining lawful programs is not, after all, the same as ending our unwavering commitment to fairness, belonging, and opportunity for all, values that are part of Emory’s DNA,” Sears wrote.  

New Cox Hall wows first-year students, falls flat for returning students
By Ellie Fivas
Sept. 10

After closing for renovations in May 2024, Emory University’s Cox Hall Food Market reopened to the Emory community in late August at the start of the Fall semester. The changes at Cox included expanded seating options, eliminating centralized cashiers and aesthetic updates to seating, light fixtures, paint and decor.

For many first-year and second-year students, Cox Hall’s reopening was an exciting moment in their campus experience. William McNally (28C) said Cox has provided a new study area.

“I actually come here all the time, whether it’s sitting inside or outside,” McNally said. “I love having this ambience.”

However, many upperclassmen expressed concerns, remembering Cox Hall from before the renovations. Sam Lim (26C) noted that meal swipe options at most vendors tend to favor meal plans for underclassmen and are less preferred by upperclassmen who may not have meal plans.

“For one, this was an easy option if I wanted something quickly.” Lim said. “Now that I don’t have meal swipes or anything, I would not choose to come here.

‘A for All:’ Emory College faculty grapple with grade inflation
By Spencer Friedland
Sept. 10

Over the course of the last five years, the average Emory University College of Arts and Sciences graduate’s cumulative GPA has risen from 3.48 to 3.68. For the Class of 2025, more than 72% of graduates had a GPA over 3.5, almost double of the 41.5% for the Class of 2005. The Class of 2025’s average GPA was 3.68, the highest in the past 20 years. 

Former Emory University School of Medicine Professor Dr. Michael Lubin criticized grade inflation at the University, arguing that today, “grades don’t mean anything.” Lubin said the current issue is that Emory fosters a culture in which students expect to be rewarded no matter their performance.

“The problem we have in the world is you’re not allowed to make value judgments,” Lubin said. 

B. Pablo Montagnes, a former Emory College faculty senate president and an associate professor of political science and data and decision sciences, shared his concern that grade inflation would ultimately hurt students the most. 

“You end up in a bad equilibrium of low effort, high grades, and that’s ultimately bad for students, because they’re going to learn less, particularly in classes where repeated hard work is necessary to consolidate the skills,” Montagnes said.

Emory to become tuition-free for families earning under $200,000 annually
By Siya Kumar
Sept. 17

Emory University Interim President Leah Ward Sears (80L) announced on Sept. 17 an expansion of Emory Advantage, the University’s financial aid program, which will provide free tuition to families earning less than $200,000 annually. 

About 2,500, or 30%, of Emory undergraduate students will not have to pay tuition. Sears highlighted that the expanded financial aid will make Emory more accessible for students. 

“Emory Advantage Plus is more than just an expansion of a financial aid plan — it’s an expansion of opportunity, of dreams and what’s possible at Emory,” Sears said. “Together, we are opening doors wider than ever before so that brilliant, deserving students can call Emory and Georgia their home. The future has never looked brighter, and this is only just the beginning.” 

The University’s decision follows that of many other higher education institutions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania, which have similarly waived tuition for students whose families earn less than $200,000 annually. 

Oxford Dean Badia Ahad named next provost
By Spencer Friedland
Oct. 15

Emory University Interim President Leah Ward Sears (80L) announced that then Oxford College Dean Badia Ahad was set to assume the role of Emory University provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and replace former Interim Provost Lanny Liebeskind, according to an email sent to the Emory community on Oct. 15. 

The University’s appointment of Ahad came 366 days after former Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Ravi Bellamkonda announced he would step down from the position. Ahad will serve as Emory’s sixth permanent provost since 2000. 

Sears shared her support for Ahad and commended Ahad’s leadership skills.

“What distinguishes Dean Ahad is not only this record of accomplishment but also the qualities she brings as a leader,” Sears said. “She is admired for her ability to build community, to listen carefully, and to act with both courage and compassion.” 

Ahad started her two-year term as provost on Nov. 1, while Liebeskind returned to his role as senior vice provost for academic affairs.

Atlantans, Emory community take to streets for ‘No Kings’ protests
By Ellie Fivas and Siya Kumar
Oct. 19

Thousands of demonstrators gathered across Atlanta 271 days into U.S. President Donald Trump’s presidency to join the nationwide “No Kings” protests, opposing what organizers described as Trump’s “authoritarian power grabs.” 

The largest Atlanta rally took place at the Atlanta Civic Center, drawing an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 attendees, with additional demonstrations occurring near Emory University at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center. Organizers estimated nearly seven million people participated nationwide. 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia, the Indivisible Georgia Coalition and other progressive organizations coordinated the protest, which featured speeches from Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), former Georgia House of Representatives Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and ACLU of Georgia Executive Director Andrea Young. 

Emory community members also joined the protests, with Emory Students for Socialism organizer Saharla Mohamoud (26C) highlighting the power of collective protest. 

“This is an important moment for us to come forward, not just within Emory, but then also just the Atlanta community at large,” Mohamoud said.

Committee for Open Expression finds Emory violated policy in professor termination
By Ellie Fivas
Oct. 22

Following the termination of an Emory University School of Medicine professor for social media posts, the University Senate Committee for Open Expression found that the administration violated its seven-month-old Open Expression Policy revision. 

Former School of Medicine Associate Professor Anna Kenney later confirmed to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that she was the professor terminated after social media posts referencing the assassination of right-wing political figure Charlie Kirk, including a comment that read “good riddance.” 

The Open Expression Policy states that the University should give “substantial consideration” to First Amendment protections before administrating disciplinary action against an Emory community member. According to the termination letter, the medical school terminated Kenney for violating “Emory’s conduct expectations and applicable policies.”

The Committee for Open Expression reviewed the termination procedure and found that the University failed to consider open expression protections in terminating Kenney, as stated in an opinion presented to the University Senate. 

“There is no evidence that this was done in this case,” the opinion reads. “The professor’s termination letter does not mention any consideration of Open Expression rights, and nobody mentioned Open Expression rights to the professor at any point in their disciplinary process.”

Emory community grieves Carlos Museum Bookshop closure
By Samara Goyal
Oct. 31

The Bookshop at the Michael C. Carlos Museum closed on Sept. 28 after more than 30 years of service, following the retirement of its longtime manager, Mark Burell. The Bookshop served as a central gathering space at the museum, offering curated books and gifts that extended visitors’ learning beyond the exhibits. 

Asmita Lehther (24Ox, 26C) shared the joy the bookshop gave her. 

“Every time I walk through it, there’s always someone in here who is a little kid, looking through books,” Lehther said. “I just really loved and enjoyed the space.”

Carlos Museum Director Henry Kim said the space would become a learning lab featuring a children’s book library and hosting educational programming for visitors, preserving the Bookshop’s commitment to promoting knowledge. 

“In that sense, the Bookshop will live on, because the activities that will be based there are very much in line with what the Bookshop was,” Kim said.

'Disgusting' grafitti sparks discourse within Oxford community
By Irene John and Kimble Schiller
Nov. 5

Students discovered “hateful” graffiti along Oxford College’s Hearn Nature Trail on Oct. 27, prompting an investigation by the Emory University Policy Department. The vandals had painted “KKK” on trees and monuments, defaced former Oxford College Professor of Religion Hoyt Oliver’s (54Ox, 56C) memorial and painted the letters “FU” in the Serenity Circle. 

Oxford Student Government Association (OxSGA) passed a resolution condemning the “despicable and hateful act” and calling on the University to continue to support marginalized and underrepresented students. 

OxSGA President Jack Steffen (26Ox) denounced the graffiti and expressed his support for Oxford students affected by the messaging.  

“Hateful acts will never be tolerated in our community,” Steffen said.

Out of this world: Symposium XX returns to ATO
By Amelia Bush
Nov. 19

Students filled the basement of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity house as The Emory Pulse, a student organization that hopes to promote the arts at Emory University, brought its semesterly arts and music Symposium back to its longtime home this fall. 

Symposium provides student musicians with the opportunity to perform for members of the Emory community. The Pulse had hosted the event in the ATO backlot for nine years before 2024, and the return reignited the event’s intimate, student-led atmosphere. 

Student vocalist and guitarist Caleigh Radzin (28C) said the sense of connection between performers and the audience shaped her experience. 

“I didn’t expect everyone to be so into it and singing along, but it totally helped being up there, because everyone was looking back at me smiling,” Radzin said. “The energy was insane.” 

Oxford’s early graduation rate decreases from 33.7% to 21.1%
By Eileen Zhu
Dec. 3

Oxford College’s early graduation rate declined from an all-time high of 33.7% last year to 21.1% this year, following a new credit policy that limits transferable Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or college credit toward Oxford graduation requirements to eight credits.

Oxford made this change “in the interest of equity and to ensure that the quality and rigor of outside coursework meets university standards,” according to Oxford Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Valerie Molyneaux.

Priyanka Mohanraj (26Ox), who originally intended to graduate early from Oxford, highlighted how the credit policy change impacted her plans. 

“Last summer, when I found out I couldn’t graduate early, it was very confusing,” Mohanraj said. “The credit policy, it inhibited a lot of people that initially came in with the goal of graduating early.”

If you or someone you know experienced hateful language or slur use, you can call the Emory Police Department at (404) 727-6111 or reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450. You can reach the Atlanta Police Department at (404) 614-6544 and the Lines for Life Racial Equity Support Line from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at (503) 575-3764.

If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of gun violence, you can reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or https://counseling.emory.edu/ or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress hotline 24/7 at +1 (800) 985-5990.

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