In past years for Valentine’s Day, we’ve explored the stories of Hoyas who have gotten engaged and married on the Hilltop and dived deep into the neuroscience of love.
This Valentine’s Day, we asked Hoyas to tell us about a time they’ve felt loved or cared for at Georgetown. Here’s what they said.
A Friend With a Pick-Me-Up Snack
“What came to mind was my friend swiping me into Whisk and getting me a banana bread and a cup of tea when I ran out of meal swipes at Leo’s. I don’t have unlimited swipes anymore, so they’re a bit more precious, but I definitely felt loved in that moment. She knew that I loved the banana bread and that I was having a bit of a hard day. It made me feel very at home, comfortable and happy.”
Mia Ashby-Rudd (SFS’27)
“I didn’t want her to be hungry or stressed about saving her meal swipes. She was working here [at Hilltoss]. When you have a shift, you usually have to run to class or something after, so it makes it hard to grab food. I really like the banana bread, so I just thought that Mia would like some too.”
Lena Kim (C’28)
Encouragement During the First Year of College
“Last year, I was dealing with some issues just moving into college and that first time when you’re living away from home. I had a great roommate who was there for me throughout the ups and downs.
He encouraged me to put myself out there. He helped me get over that feeling and just start meeting people. I became more of an extroverted person because of that. I attribute a lot of that to him just being a motivating person in my life, encouraging me and believing in me. I think that speaks to largely the student body here at Georgetown.”
Connor Lee (B’28, SFS’28)
A Quiet Way of Showing Up 
“After a long day of classes and a shift at the Alumni House, I moved between campus buildings on autopilot, tired and hungry, telling myself I would eat later. I had not had time all day. A friend noticed before I said anything and showed up with a warm coffee and my favorite chocolate croissant, setting it gently in front of me as we sat near Red Square, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
No questions. No speeches. Just care. In that small moment, I felt seen. It reminded me that being a Hoya is not only about what we achieve but about the quiet ways we choose to show up for one another.”
Pratyusha Das (G’26)
Support During Challenging Times
“My freshman year, right when I came into school, one of my best friends passed away. I definitely feel like that was the moment I knew [Georgetown] was the right place for me.
The care I got from not just CAPS, but people in the athletic department, coaches, friends, all of that, it felt good. It was just having someone to talk to. Going through something like that, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There were dark times, but it was relaxing and calming.
The head coach of the football team, he walked me through steps of how to use [the resources] and when to use it. The amount of care I got in that moment, I’ve never felt that before.
I’m from Florida, and growing up, I didn’t always have the best support system. So now knowing that I have that here and I can go to anybody at any time, that’s what made me feel that way.”
Ryan Hussey (B’28)
Dropping Everything for a Friend 
“For me, it’s definitely the community I’ve built in The Corp. I work at Midnight Mug in Lau. Joining that has been a really amazing experience of getting to meet so many different people and experience love in so many different ways because of my unique friendships with everyone.
We have a really good coverage culture in terms of if you’re struggling with an assignment or have a lot of work, someone will always cover you. I had a friend the other week — I was going to have to close the store on my own — and he left the gym to come help me close because he knew it was going to be a lot. That felt like we really showed up for each other.”
Ameara Smith (SFS’28)
A Loving University Mascot
“I always feel so much love whenever I get to see Jack the Bulldog. He’s always excited to say hi to me and take photos with Hoyas, while getting loved on and receiving pets. He’s also always around during some of my favorite Georgetown memories, like move-in, taking campus walks with my friends and cheering on the Hoyas as they upset Clemson at home. For me and many others, he will forever be our favorite Hoya. This Valentine’s Day, I hope he gets lots of treats, pets and love.”
Andrea Li (SFS’26)
