January 2007

‘A Great Year’ for GW Holiday Events

By Zak M. Salih

On Dec. 19, the third floor of the Marvin Center was alive with the bustle and good cheer of GW’s annual Holiday Party. Festive tunes floated along the hallways; more than 2,500 faculty and staff dined on holiday food; and caricaturists, musicians, dancers, and magicians provided delightful entertainment.

The entire party—from the location of the dessert trays to the number of coat racks—was the result of a concerted effort by the University-wide Holiday Party Committee. Led by GW Vice President for Communications and managed by University Events Executive Director Jim Hess, the 42 members of the 2006 Holiday Committee orchestrated both the party and the numerous other
holiday activities designed to bring good will to local families in need.

“The committee is the vehicle through which the Holiday Party truly becomes an inclusive, GW community effort,” says Hess. “Without the Holiday Committee, the Holiday Party, which has for 17 years been a part of our
community culture, would not exist.”

According to Hess, the various charitable events—including Toys for Tots, the clothing drive, food drive, and blood drive, which collected 60 pints of blood—matched or exceeded previous years. “I think it was a great year,” he says.
The grand prize winner of this year’s door decorating contest was the Office of Admissions for its gingerbread house complete with windows, wreaths, and tissue paper frosting. First place awards went to the Economics Department and the Office of Risk Management. A team of seven volunteers judged the 35 department entries.

“There were a lot of creative and enthusiastic folks out there, and we had
a difficult time deciding which doors were the best,” says Dan Campbell, executive assistant with the School of Engineering and Applied Science and one of the judges.

One of the most impressive of this year’s holiday efforts was the Adopt-a-Family program coordinated by the Office of Community Service. A combined 118 administrative departments, student organizations, and individuals provided holiday gifts to 130 adopted families, including 172 parents and 298 children.

“The generosity demonstrated by the GW community through Adopt-a-Family is truly inspirational,” says Timothy Kane, assistant director of student activities for the Office of Community Service.

The related United Way Campaign raised nearly $57,000 from 142 donors,
up substantially from 2005 when $37,000 was raised from 80 donors.

"The University Holiday Party and related charitable events were inspired by
President Trachtenberg at the beginning of his tenure," says Freedman. "Now we're all inspired to continue this wonderful tradition for many years to come."

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu