GW Legacy Families Create Unique Bonds

The Lesavoy family (left to right): Guy, Class of 2014; Buddy GWSB ’80, MBA ’82, LAW ’87; Haley, CCAS ’12, Laurie and Bret.
The Lesavoy family (left to right): Guy, Class of 2014; Buddy GWSB ’80, MBA ’82, LAW ’87; Haley, CCAS ’12, Laurie and Bret.

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions we make in life, often involving a mix of location, academics, campus life and traditions.

For many GW Legacy families, it is the sense of tradition and strong family ties that makes GW the right choice.

GW Legacy families are students and alumni whose family, including parents, grandparents and/or siblings, attended or currently attend GW.  These multi-generational family connections have become one of the university’s core strengths—and a valuable part of the alumni community.

“My Dad was definitely one of the biggest, if not the biggest, influence in my decision to choose GW,” says Haley Lesavoy, CCAS BA ’12, whose father, Buddy Lesavoy, is a triple alumnus (GWSB BA ’80, GWSB MBA ’82, LAW JD ’87).

Every spring, during cherry blossom season, the Lesavoys took Haley and her two brothers to GW (one of whom now attends GW), even staying on campus during their visits.

“What I love most about sharing an alma mater with my dad is that he loves GW just as much as I do,” says Haley.   “We’re both back at GW all of the time.  It’s hard to stay away!

Each year, the university offers several custom Legacy events for current students and alumni to celebrate legacy families, including the Legacy Family Commencement Reception and the Legacy Family Welcome Brunch at the beginning of the academic year.

On Aug. 25, legacy families gathered at the 2013 Legacy Welcome Brunch, which took place on campus in the Alumni House.  The event kicked off the year for new students, while inviting sophomore, junior and senior legacy students and their families to mingle.

These events provide a unique opportunity for legacy families to meet one another and share stories of how and why GW became an important part of each family’s structure.  They also offer a unique chance to celebrate the special bond GW shares with these families.

Legacy families are an invaluable part of GW’s history, and one that continues to grow with the university.   For many of these families—whether following in their parents footsteps or joining a sibling on campus—sharing an alma mater brings new meaning to the “Only at GW” experience.

Meet more GW Legacy families here and here!  Are you part of a GW Legacy Family? Share your story with us by emailing: [email protected]

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