President LeBlanc Meets Alumni in New York

President LeBlanc addresses GW community in New York City.

President LeBlanc addresses GW community in New York City.

Members of GW’s largest alumni and parent network outside the national capital region gathered in Midtown May 9 to learn about George Washington University President Thomas J. LeBlanc’s vision for their alma mater. The event in New York City marked the fifth in the university’s series of community receptions around the country featuring Dr. LeBlanc.

Dr. LeBlanc shared his five initial priorities with more than 400 guests including alumni, donors, families and members of the Class of 2022. These priorities developed as Dr. LeBlanc met with members of the GW community and identified areas of collective aspiration.

Among the attendees were GW Board of Trustee members Gabbi Baker, GWSB BBA ’13 and George W. Wellde, Jr., GWSB MBA ’76; GW Alumni Association President Venessa M. Perry, GWSPH MPH ’99, who delivered opening remarks; and Anne LeBlanc, the wife of Dr. LeBlanc. The university also hosted a private donor reception featuring remarks from Dr. LeBlanc and Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Donna Arbide.

During the reception, Dr. LeBlanc outlined his strategic initiatives for GW and shared recent progress on his priority to enhance the undergraduate student experience. The GW Board of Trustees recently voted to modify the university’s dining plans beginning fall 2018, which will increase dining cash amounts and will directly link students’ needs for dining funds by taking into account living arrangements, regardless of class year.Dr. LeBlanc also shared some highlights from his first nine months as president, including a campus town hall with the President of the Republic of France Emmanuel MMore than 400 gathered for the community reception in Midtown.acron for GW students, which Dr. LeBlanc described as a true “only-at-GW” moment.

During the question-and-answer portion of the program, Dr. LeBlanc addressed university ranking systems, stating that while they are important his focus is to make changes that meaningfully improve the student experience and overall university culture. These steps, implemented effectively, will likely affect measurable ranking factors including freshman retention rate, six-year graduation rate, class size, and the percentage of alumni giving. Dr. LeBlanc also noted GW’s strong reputational score based on a survey of university presidents and provosts and high school guidance counselors around the country was a positive indicator.

Former GW Board of Trustees member and donor Amanda Fugazy, CCAS BA ’95, spoke with Dr. LeBlanc about their shared passion for improving the student experience at GW.

As an undergraduate, Ms. Fugazy chaired the GW Program Board, an experience she describes as “terrific” in part because it’s how she met her husband, Scott Brennan, GWSB BBA ’95. She continues to work on enhancing student life as a member of the Division of Student Affairs Advisory Council.

“GW had so much going on for students at all times, and that’s why I remain so loyal to GW,’ says Fugazy. “I’m very impressed with President LeBlanc’s commitment to the student experience.”

The New York reception was just one of several GW events Joe Sauma, GWSB MBA ’89, has attended over the past few months with his daughter Bella Sauma, who will be a freshman in fall 2018 in the School of Business.

Now that his daughter is a Colonial, Sauma said he decided to get more involved with the university by joining the Family Philanthropy Board and engaging as a judge and mentor with the GW New Venture Competition. He says he likes Dr. LeBlanc’s vision for the future of his alma mater and the new opportunities it will offer Bella.
“It’s great to see a new fresh outlook on our university,” he says. “My daughter will benefit from the new experience for students.”

Leslie Smith, CCAS MA ’79, says she wanted to hear Dr. LeBlanc’s vision for the university that helped her launch a successful career in nonprofit work and fundraising.

“It’s always exciting when there’s a new president,” says Smith. ““I feel there’s a momentum right now for GW.”

The university plans to host additional receptions around the globe with Dr. LeBlanc during the 2018-2019 academic year.

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