2025 was another historic year for Johns Hopkins. Between the opening of the university's first-ever student center, a groundbreaking financial aid announcement for undergraduate students, and extraordinary breakthroughs in health, engineering, academia, and beyond, there is a lot to be proud of.
Now, as the year comes to an end, the Hub is looking back at which moments caught the eye of university photographer Will Kirk.
Image caption: This year's Intersession featured a variety of bite-sized courses, including Environmental Microbiology, where students discovered what microbes can be found in local Baltimore ecosystems.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Classes were officially back in session Jan. 21, marking the beginning of the spring semester.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins
Image caption: Men's Lacrosse started its season Feb. 1, winning four of the month's five games.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: The Chinese Students Association's Lunar New Year Banquet featured several cultural performances, including one from the Lan Yun Blue Orchids, JHU's classical Chinese dance team.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: The Johns Hopkins Ice Rink closed on Sunday, Feb. 23-But fear not! The annual tradition will make its return Jan. 9, 2026.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Several student productions hit the stage this year, including a "choreopoem" from the Dunbar Baldwin Hughes Theater Company.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: JHU affiliates made the most of the warm weather on March 8 by planting new trees around Charles Village. The initiative was part of the Central Baltimore Tree Project with funds provided by Johns Hopkins and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: The Hindu Students Council hosted its annual Festival of Colors on March 30 in celebration of Holi.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Engineering students on both the graduate and undergraduate levels spent weeks preparing projects for Design Day 2025, the university's annual engineering showcase.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption:Nearly 1,450 students received their undergraduate degrees during Commencement on May 22, adding to the roughly 11,360 JHU degrees, certificates, and diplomas that were awarded throughout the week.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: To all our new alums, congratulations!
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Affiliates from Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine showed their pride on June 14 as they marched in the 50th annual Baltimore Pride Parade.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption:Hopkins on the Hill invited elected officials and their staffers to explore the groundbreaking innovations made possible by federal research funding.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Labs across Hopkins contributed to a multitude of life-saving discoveries this year, including an FDA-approved blood test that can diagnose Alzheimer's disease.
Image caption: A new class of Blue Jays collected their dorm keys on Aug. 17.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: The Class of 2029, which celebrated its convocation on Aug. 24, has the distinction of being Johns Hopkins University's 150th class.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: The new Bloomberg Student Center opened its doors on Aug. 25, giving Homewood campus a new hub for socialization.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Runners of all ages came out Sept. 27 for the second annual "Miracles in Motion" 5K in benefit of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: October saw a variety of local restaurants open food stalls in the new Bloomberg Student Center, including Koshary Corner, Connie's, and The Urban Kitchen.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Hopkins swimmers celebrated the opening of Homewood campus's newly renovated natatorium on Oct. 11. The enhanced space was made possible thanks to a generous gift from businessman and JHU alum Brad Procton, whose All-American skills helped Hopkins achieve three NCAA swimming championships in the 1970s.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Hundreds gathered for the official grand opening of the Bloomberg Student Center on Oct. 16-including Michael Bloomberg, Engr '64.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: This year's Hoptoberfest featured a mechanical bull, a haunted house...
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: ... and a headline performance from R&B star Khalid.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Johns Hopkins will now be tuition-free for all undergraduate students from families earning up to $200,000 a year, a demographic which makes up over 85% of American households.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Maryland Governor and Army veteran Wes Moore, A&S '01, spent his Veterans Day sharing lessons with JHU ROTC cadets.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: Sound Rounds, a collaboration between Peabody Conservatory and Johns Hopkins Medicine, brings trained musicians to perform at the hospital. Studies have shown that music can ease a patient's discomfort, elevate mood, and improve staff productivity.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption:Lighting of the Quads returned for its 21st year on Dec. 3, featuring refreshments, activities, live performances, and a fireworks show.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image caption: JHU President Ron Daniels set up a late-night snack station in the Bloomberg Student Center on Dec. 10 to help students unwind during finals.
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
Image credit: Will Kirk / Johns Hopkins University
