Alumni rev up for George’s Birthday

bday_georgeGeorge Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Today, his birthday is celebrated by alumni of the George Washington University all over the world.

Since 2010, GW alumni have honored their namesake with camaraderie, panache and fun at the annual George’s Birthday Bash celebrations.

The San Antonio Alumni Club first conceived of George’s Birthday Bash, and the event has been a success ever since. Now in its fourth annual year, this is the third year of national celebrations, and the second year that celebrations will take place worldwide.

A grand total of 34 Birthday Bashes in 2012 (28 domestic and 6 international) attracted more than 830 alumni and guests in honor of George Washington. And with 50 domestic and international celebrations planned for 2013, the party’s just getting started!

Events vary by city; alumni who help plan the celebrations put a signature twist on each event. Past birthday bashes have included costumes, buff and blue attire, Mexican cuisine, wine tastings and group renditions of buff and blue fight songs.

Last year, alumni in Boston toasted George with signature drinks that included ‘The Martha’ and ‘Presidential Punch’, and alumni in Seattle and Hampton Roads (among others) played a GW trivia game, with questions ranging from the number of biological children George had to his shoe size.

GW leaders like GSEHD Dean Michael Feuer and former executive vice president for academic affairs Donald Lehman have also dropped in on past birthday bashes.

“Since George’s Birthday Bash is an annual tradition, it’s something all alumni can look forward to, no matter where they live,” says Hibben Silvo, CCAS BA ’08, BS ’08, chair of the Boston Alumni Club. “Especially when you know your friends across the country – and the world – are doing the same thing on the same day,” she adds.

From Seattle to Boston to Seoul to Athens, GW is ready for George’s birthday! This year’s events will be held from Feb. 21 – 23 in 50 cities across the globe.

Want to join the party? Registration for the 2013 George’s Birthday Bash celebrations opens soon. Stay tuned for more information!

The GW community also celebrates George’s Birthday on campus. For more information about last year’s Birthday Bonfire, visit GW Today.

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