Colonial Inauguration 2008

Dean of Freshman

Greetings From the Dean of Freshmen

Of course, we’re delighted that you will be joining us as a member of the Class of 2012... and Colonial Inauguration is the first experience all of us have in understanding the unique personality of your class, by my count the 187th in GW’s history. Although we know something about you—where you’re from, what you did in high school, what you THINK you want to choose as a field of study—we don’t really know you at all, individually or collectively. But at CI, we begin the task of “understanding 2012,” a task to which I dedicate myself for the next 12 months as YOUR Dean of Freshmen. Indeed, it’s not a “task” at all, as I will enjoy getting to know as many of you as I can, as much as you will enjoy getting to know GW and Washington, DC.

When you meet me at CI, you will hear me talk about “time” and “time management.” And you will hear me, throughout the whole next year, repeat this theme…time and time again! “It’s not like high school,” so many freshmen confide sometime during their first two semesters. The reason is simple: time is now truly your own. Your academic lives, your social lives, your romantic lives, your DC lives all are brought into harmony by your successful (and shrewd!) use of the 168 hours each of you has every week!

I invite each and every one of you to connect with me in some way: by email, personal appointment, attending one of my visits to the freshman residence halls, a handshake at your first “Freshman Feast” or a simple “hello” on The Vern Express. I will do my best to know everything I can about freshman life.

Welcome, Class of 2012… to a whole new world!

Fred Siegel
Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshmen