Summer 2009
Thousands Gather on National Mall for GW’s Commencement
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White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel delivers GW’s Commencement address. |
An estimated 23,000 graduates, friends and families celebrated the University’s
2009 Commencement on the National Mall May 17. With the United States
Capitol in the background, honorary degree recipients Rahm Emanuel,
White House chief of staff; Jeanne Narum, director of Project Kaleidoscope and the
Independent Colleges Office; and John Safer, B.A. ’47, world-renowned sculptor,
urged graduates to become engaged citizens and dedicate time to public service. Student speakers Naomi Rapp, B.S. ’09, and Cosmin Florescu, M.A., M.P.H. ’09,
encouraged students to stay strong when faced with adversity and uncertainty.
In his keynote address, Emanuel shared personal stories of times that tested his will,
courage and drive. From a life-threatening infection to a demotion during his time
in the Clinton administration, Emanuel said he learned the value of life, humility
and service from his setbacks. “Being forced to come back from that failure is why
I’m standing here today,” said Emanuel. “You will have failures in your life, but it is
what you do during those valleys that will determine the heights of your peaks.”
Advising graduates to learn from his mistakes, Emanuel said he is confident they
will do “great things” upon leaving GW. “For all of the challenges of the moment
we’re in, there is a silver lining to graduating at this moment in time, because you
not only have the great responsibility to serve your country, you have an extraordinary
opportunity to change it,” he said. “You have a rare chance to do big things in
this world, and I hope with all my heart that you seize it. You have prepared yourselves
well here at George Washington to do just that.” At the ceremony, GW President
Steven Knapp granted Emanuel an honorary Doctor of Public Service, Narum a
Doctor of Science, and Safer a Doctor of Fine Arts.
In his charge to the graduates, Dr. Knapp encouraged the students to continue
participating in and engaging others in public service. “You are our future leaders
and will no doubt make a real difference in the world. I know you will not only
answer the call to service, you will continue to lead the way,” said Dr. Knapp. “As you
go forth to do great things, always carry GW with you and always know that at the
George Washington University you have a home in the heart of the nation’s capital.”
Also at the ceremony, the
2009 Oscar and Shoshana
Trachtenberg Prizes, given
annually to outstanding
faculty, were awarded to Professor
of Math Joseph Bonin
for teaching; Peter Hotez,
Walter G. Ross professor of
microbiology, immunology
and tropical medicine, for
scholarship; and Professor of
Hospital Administration Kurt
Darr for public service.
University community
members were recognized for
their service with the presentation
of the GW Awards to
David Alan Grier, associate
dean for academic affairs at
the Elliott School of International
Affairs; Joshua E.
Lasky, B.A. ’07, M.P.A. ’09,
presidential administrative
fellow; Timothy Miller, executive
director of the Student
Activities Center; and Christian
Washington, B.A. ’06,
J.D. ’09, Multi cultural
Student Services Center program
coordinator. Christopher
Diaz, B.A. ’09, received the
2009 Manatt-rachtenberg
Prize, given to graduating
students who have engaged
the social and intellectual
conscience of the University,
while displaying leadership,
integrity and goodwill.
The University-wide
Commencement was just one
of many ceremonies and celebrations
on Commencement
weekend May 15-17. As traditional,
the weekend began
with the Interfaith Baccalaureate
Service, held at Western
Presbyterian Church on
May 15, and featuring keynote
speaker Rory Pullens, head of
the Duke Ellington School
of the Arts.
On the evening of May 16,
graduates and their families
put on their finest and partied
the night away with George
and the Hippo at the Monumental
Celebration in Union
Station. The Concourse Club
was transformed with lights,
live music, dessert bars and
large-scale recreations of
local monuments.
The class of 2009 also
celebrated at individual school
celebrations, located at sites
across GW’s Foggy Bottom
Campus.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu |
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