More than 2,500 alumni returned to campus to reconnect with GW and fellow alums during Alumni Weekend, Sept. 15-18.
Signature events included a concert with Chuck Brown and Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Taste of GW, the Alumni Achievement Awards, multicultural alumni events, class and affinity reunions and an Open House with President Steven Knapp.
The celebrations started Thursday evening with the Alumni Achievement Awards, which honored five GW grads, and the Multicultural Alumni Happy Hour.
Friday’s festivities included the 50th Reunion Celebration & Alumni Emeriti Luncheon, the 5th Annual Ramsey Student Investment Fund Conference, classes and lectures, and an Open House with President Steven Knapp and his wife, Diane Robinson Knapp. Later that night, more than 500 alumni gathered in University Yard for the Kickoff Celebration and concert with Chuck Brown and Robert Randolph & the Family Band.
“The food was delicious. Nothing like crab cake burgers and Ben’s chili dogs to start Alumni Weekend,” says Emmanuel Caudillo, CCAS MPP ’08. “The Chuck Brown concert was very entertaining. It was great for everyone to be ‘bustin loose’ at the concert.”
President Knapp even joined the party, jumping on stage to play the bongos with Chuck Brown.
Saturday’s highlights included Breakfast with the Deans, tours of campus and Thurston Hall, an All-Athletic Reception with Athletic Director Patrick Nero, the GW Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Luncheon, the Latino Alumni Association Reception and Taste of GW, which offered food from 10 alumni-owned and –operated restaurants.
Mr. Caudillo, who helped plan the Latino Alumni Association Reception, says that this year they wanted to have something at the reception that “would draw folks, but also give it a unique flair,” so the event offered a salsa dancing demonstration.
“We had two dance instructors teaching us some basic steps and also demonstrate some dance moves,” he says. “It was great to see most attendees participate. We hope to make this an annual offering – maybe next year we can do rumba or samba.”
Saturday evening featured the GW Black Alumni Association’s IMPACT Awards and special reunions for current and former Presidential Administrative Fellows, alumni of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, and the classes of 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1981, along with a 1980s Celebration.
Board of Trustees Member Steve Ross, GWSB BBA ’81, co-chaired his 30th reunion with School of Business Advisory Board member Howard Rubin, GWSB BBA ’81.
“Howard Rubin and I have led at least three of our class reunions, so it almost became a self fulfilling prophecy that we would be drafted to lead our 30th reunion,” says Mr. Ross.
The two did more than just plan reunion events – they also spearheaded a scholarship fundraising effort that brought in more than $100,000.
“The Class of 1981 has been one of the most successful classes in the history of George Washington University. We wanted to give our classmates an opportunity to put their imprint on an endeavor that could benefit many worthy students,” Mr. Ross explains.
Erin Lamb, ESIA BA ’06, who helped plan the Class of 2006 reunion, says attending Alumni Weekend was a chance to return to GW and celebrate with as many classmates as possible since moving from DC in 2007.
“The highlight was the number of people who showed up and how excited everyone was to see each other and catch up,” she says. “Even Mike Hall, SPHHS BS ’06, and Pops Mensah-Bonsu, CCAS BS ’06, came, which was really kind of them and provided everyone a great opportunity to reminisce about the ’06 team.”
Overall, Ms. Lamb, who also attended the kickoff festivities, says she was very surprised at everything provided for alums: “I definitely would do it again and encourage everyone to check it out!”
Partisan civility was the topic for Sunday’s Politcal Brunch, which featured Frank Fahrenkopf, former RNC chairman and current Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) council member, in a moderated discussion with Dana Perino, White House press secretary for President George W. Bush and GSPM adjunct faculty, and Mike McCurry, White House press secretary for Bill Clinton. Other events on the final day included the 
Columbian Women Scholarship Brunch and a Mount Vernon campus tour.
The George Washington University Alumni Association (GWAA) awarded 10 groups, including Columbian Women, GW Hillel/Jewish Hippo Society and the GW Men’s Golf Program, more than $12,000 in grants to help with their programs and activities that took place over the weekend.
The GWAA also thanks Liberty Mutual, one of our alumni benefit providers, for its support of Alumni Weekend 2011!
Liberty Mutual offers GW alumni special discounted rates on Auto and Home Insurance.* More than 2,500 GW alumni have already enrolled in the program. For more information about this alumni benefit, please click here, or call toll free at 1-800-341-5389 (DC metro area call the local Liberty Mutual office at 703-680-6284). Be sure to mention you are a GW alum!
