November 2006

A Picture-Perfect Colonials Weekend

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld

by Jamie L. Freedman
Amidst idyllic October weather, thousands of GW alumni, students, and family members celebrated Colonials Weekend 2006—a three-day extravaganza featuring class reunions and social and scholarly events.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld kicked off the festivities Friday, Oct. 20, with two sold-out live shows at GW’s Charles E. Smith Athletic Center. More than 8,000 audience members roared with laughter as Seinfeld delivered his trademark humor—poking fun at everything from parenthood to prescription drugs.

As Seinfeld was bringing down the house at the Smith Center’s 7 p.m. show, some 500 Colonials headed to Alumni House for an Alumni Kick-off Party, featuring a barbecue dinner and live bluegrass. “It was great to see everyone having fun and reconnecting with the University and each other,” says Scott Mory, assistant vice president for alumni relations and annual giving, noting that the group capped off the evening by attending the late-night Seinfeld show.

Saturday morning, GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg filled Lisner Auditorium to capacity for an hour-long conversation titled “For the Record,” moderated by veteran radio broadcaster Dick Golden. The candid, wide-ranging interview—spanning Trachtenberg’s formative years, reflections on his tenure as president of GW, and the state of higher education in America—culminated in a standing ovation.

Large crowds enjoyed the day’s many activities, including breakfast with the deans, the popular “Classes Without Quizzes” lecture series, a highly successful silent auction sponsored by the Office of Parent Services, campus and city tours, and Octoberfest and the Freshman Families Reception on the Mount Vernon Campus—featuring games, live music, food, and fun-filled activities.

The celebration continued throughout the evening, with some 1,200 GW alumni attending law, medical, and undergraduate class reunion celebrations at venues throughout the city. “We were thrilled with the excellent turnout at all of the reunions,” says Mory, a two-time GW alumnus who celebrated his 10th reunion this year. “Our alumni really enjoyed being back on campus and were overwhelmed by how much the campus has changed since they graduated.”

The weekend concluded on Sunday with the traditional Jazz Brunch in the Marvin Center, featuring the music of GW jazz students, as well as the Colonials Weekend Brunch in Ames Dining Room on the Mount Vernon Campus. Music from the Jazz Brunch was broadcast live on WRGW, the University Web-based student radio station. “The Jazz Brunch was packed, as were the silent auction, the Parents’ Association’s Annual Meeting, the Saturday evening dessert, coffee, and music reception in Kogan Plaza, and all of our other events,” says Rodney L. Johnson, director of parent services. “It was truly an exceptional weekend.”

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu