George Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and for the past seven years, GW alumni have honored their namesake with worldwide celebrations known as George’s Birthday Bashes. From London to Beijing and California to D.C., nearly 1,000 GW alumni participated in 30 bashes across the U.S. and 23 more around the globe this year to celebrate George’s 284th birthday.
“It was great to meet fellow GW alum in London to celebrate George Washington’s 284th birthday,” said Temi Willams-Davies, CCAS BA ’09, a member of the GW London Alumni Committee. “We were all in agreement that our time at Foggy Bottom was a great contributor to why we are all able to make the most of our international experience.”
Celebrations vary by city, and can range from lunches to happy hours to supporting GW Men’s Basketball on the road. Every event—mostly alumni planned—encourages participants to wear their buff and blue to show GW pride.
“George would have loved Dubai!” said Rama Hajjar, GWSB MBA ’88, who helped to organize the city’s bash this year. “The combination of the venue, weather and company of fellow GW alumni in the UAE made for a lovely gathering. It was great to see so many new faces for this event!”
GW alumni also played an important part in celebrating President Washington’s birthday closer to Foggy Bottom, as well.
Jamie Bosket, CCAS MA ’08, vice president of guest experience at the Mount Vernon Estate, spoke about the Washington’s legacy to GW students, faculty, and who gathered at the first Commander-in-Chief’s famous estate on Feb. 22 to explore the grounds, tour the mansion and museum, view special exhibits, and participate in an annual wreath laying ceremony at Washington’s tomb.
Later that evening, Kathleen (Kata) Bartoloni-Tuazon, CCAS MPhil. ’06, PhD ’10, discussed the presidential title controversy of 1789—a congressional debate over whether to add a regal prologue to the title “president of the United States.”—at the university’s annual George Washington lecture at the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum.
View, like, and share photos from this year’s Birthday Bashes on the GW Alumni Facebook page.
