October 2006

Colonials Weekend, Oct. 20-22, Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

Parents, students, and alumni will enjoy Colonials Weekend activities, Oct. 20–22.

By Jamie L. Freedman

More than 5,000 GW students, alumni, and parents will come together to reminisce and celebrate during the fifth annual Colonials Weekend, Oct. 20-22.

A well-loved GW tradition, Colonials Weekend is an action-packed two-and-a-half days, featuring class reunions, top performers, and festive and scholarly events.
“Colonials Weekend is a great opportunity for alumni to return to GW and reconnect with the University and each other,” says Scott Mory, assistant vice president for alumni relations and annual giving.

Festivities get underway Friday evening with an Alumni Kick-off Party at Alumni House from 7-10 p.m. and two sold-out live shows by acclaimed comedian Jerry Seinfeld at the Charles E. Smith Athletic Center. Saturday morning begins with breakfast with the deans, followed by the popular “Classes Without Quizzes” lecture series, featuring hot topics by favorite GW professors.

Saturday at 10:30 a.m. President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg will candidly discuss trends in higher education in “For the Record: A Conversation With Stephen Joel Trachtenberg.” Other highlights of the day include a silent auction sponsored by the Office of Parent Services, campus and city tours, and Octoberfest on the Mount Vernon Campus—featuring live music, and pie-eating contests.

The fun continues Saturday evening with GW law, medicine, and undergraduate class reunion celebrations. The weekend concludes on a high note with the traditional Jazz Brunch in the Marvin Center, sponsored by the Office of Parent Services and featuring the music of GW jazz students.

“The University is at an exciting time in its history, and Colonials Weekend is a great opportunity for the entire GW family to gather and be proud of what we have accomplished,” says Mory.

The annual event, launched in 2002 with the merger of Alumni Weekend and Family Weekend, is sponsored by the GW Alumni Association and the Office of Parent Services in the Division of Student and Academic Support Services. The celebration has grown in strength and numbers throughout the years and is widely regarded as “GW’s premier event for students, alumni, and families,” says Director of Parent Services Rodney L. Johnson.

“We’re always excited when parents, alumni, and friends return to the University for a big event such as Colonials Weekend,” Johnson says. “We’ve had a wonderful five years of great programs and entertainment, including Jay Leno, Jon Stewart, Patti LaBelle, Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, the Boston Pops, and Whoopi Goldberg, and are very excited about having Jerry Seinfeld perform this year. We encourage everyone to join us for this year’s celebration and will do everything we can to make everyone feel welcome.”

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