Thousands Celebrate at Colonials Weekend 2008

By Julia Parmley

Lectures, performances, sports—there was something for everyone at this year’s Colonials Weekend as nearly 5,000 students, parents, and friends came to GW Oct. 17-19 to enjoy a wide range of campus activities.

“The weekend was a really big success,” says Director of Parent Services Rodney L. Johnson. “One of our goals is to give families all types of activities and events to enjoy, and I think everyone really felt welcome. I particularly appreciate the support of President Steven Knapp and Senior Vice President Robert Chernak. Overall, it was a wonderful weekend.”

The weekend kicked off Friday night with a performance by Academy Award-winning comedian Robin Williams, who had the audience in stitches during a sold-out show in the Charles E. Smith Center that touched on everything from GW’s mascot to the Red Sox and the presidential election. Williams again entertained Colonial families in a sold-out encore performance Saturday night, also held in the Smith Center.

On Saturday afternoon families and local residents enjoyed pumpkin carving, contests, and fall desserts at the Mount Vernon Campus’ Octoberfest, the popular outdoor festival organized by the Mount Vernon Programming Council. GW freshmen and their families also walked across the street to enjoy chili, cornbread, and music at the Freshman Families Reception in the Mount Vernon Campus Alumnae House, home to Dean of Freshman Fred Siegel.

The day’s events included massage therapy, campus tours, department open houses, breakfasts with school deans, a golf scramble, and a cabaret showcase featuring students from GW’s music and theatre and dance departments.

Live music got families grooving at the Jazz Brunch Sunday morning in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom. The student band GW Jazz All-Stars highlighted the brunch hosted by veteran radio broadcaster Dick Golden and WRGW, GW’s student radio station.

The weekend festivities concluded with the sixth annual Foggy Bottom/West End Neighborhood Block Party Sunday afternoon on the Eye Street Mall. More than 3,000 people attended the party, which featured 120 vendors from community groups, restaurants, and GW organizations.

“Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, we had the biggest and best block party to date,” says Michael Akin, executive director of government and community relations. “It’s an important opportunity for GW and the neighborhood to come together in celebration of our shared community and to interact in a way that shows what a unique community we are a part of.”

Parents R.J. and Susan Wilson came all the way from California to join their son, freshman John Wilson, at Colonials Weekend. It was R.J.’s first time in the nation’s capital, so the family took time in between events to tour the city.

“I wanted my husband to see how close the monuments are to campus, because it’s pretty exciting,” says Susan. “We also love how GW has more than one campus. We’ve had a great time.”

“GW is fabulous, and we are so happy our son is here,” says R.J.
President Steven Knapp and Diane Robinson Knapp traveled from event to event during the weekend, greeting students and families along the way.

“I met three different families from Washington state and one couple who were at their ninth Colonials Weekend this year,” says Dr. Knapp. “We had beautiful weather, and the parents were very engaged in the activities. There also was a great turnout at the block party, which builds the sense of community we have in Foggy Bottom. This was quite a weekend.”

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu