Colonial Inauguration Spring 2010

Life at GW

GW TRADITIONS

WELCOME WEEK
This week features Move In, Freshman Convocation, Fall Fest and a range of other important and exciting campus-wide events to Welcome new students to the GW Family. Come to the Student Organization Fair to learn about every organization on campus and stay around afterward for our annual visit by Hypnotist Tom Deluca and a night of fun and laughs. You will receive more information about this action-packed week during the summer!!

FALL FEST AND FOUNTAIN FLING
Fall Fest is a student-run celebration sponsored by Program Board during Welcome Week and Fountain Fling is a collaboration between Program Board and Mount Vernon Programming Council in April. Outdoor games, free food, giveaways and fun abound. Past performers include Kanye West, Jimmy Eat World, RedMan, and Gym Class Heroes.

ALUMNI WEEKEND
Over 2,000 alumni reclaim campus each year. Students can participate in many events throughout the weekend for the opportunity to network and meet some of our most distinguished alumni. Past events include How Do I Become A... events, film screenings, and appearances by notable alumni like actress Kerry Washington, CCAS '98, and Hollywood screenwriter Jason Filardi, CCAS '93.

OCTOBERFEST
Held on the Mount Vernon campus during Colonials Weekend, this annual family event features music, pumpkin carving, arts & crafts, games, tasty fall desserts, family competitions, photo-ops, contests and more.

SPIRIT WEEK AND COLONIALS INVASION
Join us for special events during Spirit Week in mid October–all of which lead up to Colonials Invasion, which kicks off basketball season for GW.

COLONIALS WEEKEND
Colonials Weekend, a celebration for students, alumni, family, and friends, is a weekend full of events and incredible performers. Past performers include Robin Williams, the Beach Boys, the Boston Pops, Dana Carvey, Patti LaBelle, Jon Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld, and Billy Crystal. This year Colonials Weekend will be held October 16-18, 2009.

MIDNIGHT BREAKFAST
When finals arrive in the Fall Semester, it’s time for Midnight Breakfast! A GW tradition during the final exam period in the fall, this is a night where faculty and administrators serve YOU breakfast at midnight as a reward for all of your hard work. It is a great stress reliever during your studying.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SERVICE DAY, AWARD AND CELEBRATION
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is a nationally recognized community service event on the King Holiday. This is a “day on” rather than a “day off”, when 200 students serve the DC community in various projects. The MLK Award is the highest honor someone can achieve in recognition of service within the GW community. Given in January, the celebration of both Martin Luther King’s life as well as a ceremony in his honor take place in late January, around the King Holiday.

ARTS FEST AND CHALK-IN
This annual event, sponsored by The University Counseling Center, is held in April and is a celebration of student talent in the arts. Students dance, sing and perform while other students participate in activities such as making mask and frame, fun with Play-Doh and creating your own tribal art. H Street is closed to traffic during the event so students can draw on the street and sidewalks with chalk–a great stress-reliever as exams approach!

JUMPSTART FOR A DAY
At this annual community event, join AmeriCorps Jumpstart Program and many student organizations, fraternities, sororities, and more to play with preschool children and encourage their love of learning.

MASCOTS
Three of GW’s most loyal fans are our mascots: “George”, “Big George” and the Hippo. These famous faces are seen quite frequently around campus at numerous athletic events and student activities. George, The Hippo, and Big George rally the Colonial fans to cheer our teams to victory!

SENIOR PROM
Hosted by students in the Office of Community Service's Neighbors Project, the University community comes together to host a night of dinner and dancing for local DC senior citizens.

HIPPO
The bronze hippo, which stands proud outside of GW’s Lisner Auditorium, was a gift presented to the Class of 2000 by Former President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg. Legend has it that this unofficial University mascot brings luck to all who rub its nose–so don’t forget to stop by before an exam!

FILMS ON THE VERN
The annual outdoor summer series of films shown on the big screen on The Quad at the Mount Vernon campus, this series unites members of the GW community and neighbors of the GW campuses for a weekly opportunity to enjoy classic film hits.

GRAD WEEK
When you are a senior, join us for a weeklong series of special events leading up to graduation. Past events include excursions to Atlantic City, trips to a Baltimore Orioles game, the Senior Toast, and Monumental Celebration.