The Cum Laude Society Inductees of 2024

University School inducted 19 seniors into The Cum Laude Society on Tuesday, April 30. These leaders in academic achievement were introduced by Mr. Garrett, English Department Chair holder and secretary of the US chapter of the society. Head of School Mr. Patrick Gallagher opened the ceremony and Hawley Chair in the Arts and Drama Teacher Mrs. Pribble gave the keynote address.

Mr. Garrett welcomed each inductee into the society through artfully compiled personal remarks  shared by each student's teachers, coaches, and peers. 

Click here to watch a recording of the induction ceremony. 

The 2024 Cum Laude Society Inductees are: 

Joey Applebaum

Justice Arai

Julian Berger

Tommy Blossom

Ryan Chang

Adriano Cristaldi

Matthew Devine

Kareem Fareed

Chase Greppin

Colin Hsieh*

Luke Kuang

Rohan Kumar

Henry Laye

Dhyani Nautiyal

Will Outcalt

David Pich

Noah Quisenberry

Drew Torzok

Weining Wang

*Colin Hsieh was named Phi Beta Kappa of the Class of 2024. For over seventy-five years, the Cleveland Association of Phi Beta Kappa has sponsored an award to recognize scholastic excellence at the secondary level.  

After the introductions, Mr. Gallagher introduced Mrs. Pribble to the students and guests in Gund Auditorium, observing that she alone has probably spent more time in this space than everyone else here combined. Though unverifiable, this is very likely true. Mrs. Pribble, Hawley Chair holder in the Arts, and the Upper School Drama Teacher,  Theater Director, and author, is retiring after 40 years and 100 stage productions at US. Mr. Gallagher recounted what Mrs. Pribble believes about acting and actors, from those trying it for the first time, to professionals. "Acting is not about being someone else. It is about finding yourself."

Mrs. Pribble, reflecting on her own "graduation," talked about what is to her, the secret of a fulfilling life: balance and connection. She commended the Cum Laude inductees for finding balance, through their variety of academic, scientific, artistic, athletic, and personal pursuits. She emphasized the idea of building and maintaining close connections to family, friends, and reminded us that making new connections, introducing yourself to new people who cross your path is just as important. 

She called high school the "dress rehearsal for life," and that University School is a wonderful place to have had that rehearsal. Mrs. Pribble flipped the common phrase heard around this time of year, and asked students to not wonder about what life will bring them, but rather, What will you bring to your life? What will you carry forward from your experiences at US?  

The Cum Laude Society was founded in 1906 with the mission of recognizing academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence, justice, and honor. There are over 380 chapters of the society around the country and internationally. Each member school may induct up to ten percent of a class at the end of junior year and ten percent at the end of senior year. University School was the tenth school in the nation to be admitted into the Society, receiving its charter in 1911.