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Postlude

Alumni Events and Activities

Reunions at Colonials Weekend
Reconnecting with Classmates and Campus

During Colonials Weekend 2006, Oct. 20 through 22, alumni whose graduation years span five decades will meet and reconnect at reunions. The classes of ’56, ’76, ’81, ’96, and ’01 celebrate their reunions, as well as alumni
of the Law School and graduates of
the Medical School. In addition, all alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago are invited to participate in reunion activities.

“Reunions have a special excitement all their own with longtime friends rediscovering each other and the University, and sharing great memories and good times,” says Scott Mory, assistant vice president for alumni relations and annual giving. “We have a wonderful weekend planned and look forward to welcoming GW’s honored alumni.”

Andrew Kaufteil, director of reunions, says the gatherings “allow alumni to reaffirm their relationship to GW; to see what GW students are learning, where, and from whom.”

Reunion attendees—even those who graduated five years ago—might be surprised to see modern additions to campus. “We have designed class-specific campus tours so alumni can compare their GW to the GW of today,” Kaufteil says.

The weekend’s schedule allows alumni to choose their own adventures. Besides attending class parties and tours, alumni may bid in a silent auction, watch a private movie showing, attend lectures, and participate in hayrides and pie-eating contests at Octoberfest, an outdoor festival held on GW’s Mount Vernon Campus.

Each reunion will have unique elements. A special reunion has been created for the 1956 GW football team, which won the Sun Bowl on Jan. 1, 1957. Ray Looney, BA ’59, is leading the effort. More than 30 former players and their guests are expected to gather for a luncheon on Friday and dinner and dancing on Saturday night. Many of the alumni have not seen each other in 50 years and are very excited about the event, says Ed McKee, director of sports media and campus and community relations.

Alumni who graduated from GW in 1981 will start their weekend with a cocktail party on Friday night and attend a reunion party Saturday evening. Steve Ross, BBA ’81, is co-chairing the reunion along with Howard Rubin, BBA ’81.

“The interest and the demand for this reunion is extraordinary,” Ross says. “It allows them to come back on campus and see how their wonderful University has grown exponentially in the last 25 years.”

Graduates from the class of 2001 will meet for their five-year reunion. Anslie Stokes, BBA ’01, is co-chair of the event. “We’re hoping to get as many people involved as possible,” she says. “Even though it’s only been five years, the campus has undergone a great change.”

—Jane Byrne

Celebrating with President Trachtenberg

Alumni and friends will honor the administration of President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg.

This fall, GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, who becomes President Emeritus and University Professor in the summer, will journey across the United States and abroad to celebrate the past two decades with the GW community.

Receptions will be held for alumni, parents, and friends in cities that Trachtenberg has visited many times during the 18 years of his administration, such as New York, San Francisco, and London.

“He knows many of the alumni in these locations. They are quite attached to him and have great respect for all that he has done for GW,” says Laurel Price Jones, vice president for advancement. “The receptions will be an opportunity to highlight his many achievements and will give alumni and parents an opportunity to thank him.”

The receptions in each city, hosted by University trustees and other members of the GW community, will offer alumni and friends a chance to talk with Trachtenberg about his future and that of the University. The kick-off event will be at the Four Seasons hotel in Boston on Oct. 5.

Trachtenberg will become a University Professor of Public Service in June, returning to his academic roots. In addition, he will take on the role as GW’s first President Emeritus.

Trachtenberg has created five new schools within the University and contributed to GW’s reputation as a notable national institution. During his administration, entering students’ SAT scores rose nearly 200 points, the Northern Virginia and Mount Vernon campuses were established, and applications for undergraduate admission more than tripled.

Join GW in celebration of President Trachtenberg’s countless contributions to the University by attending an event in his honor. For an up-to-date schedule and to RSVP, visit www.gwu.edu/~newsctr and click on “President Trachtenberg.”

—Jane Byrne

Fun and Fellowship: Join the Alumni Travel Program

Now in its third year, the Alumni Travel Program offers GW grads, along with family members and friends, trips designed to explore everything from culture and history to regional cuisine. This year’s choices promise something for everyone—so pack your bags and come along!

Spain: Barcelona and San Sebastian, March 3-14

Sardinia, Corsica, and Rome: April 27 to May 8

Dnieper River Cruise in Ukraine: July 26 to Aug. 8

Italian Riviera: Aug. 25 to Sept. 2

For more information, visit www.alumni.gwu.edu or contact the Office of Alumni Programs at alumni@gwu.edu or 1-800-ALUMNI7.

Jon Malis Alumni Service Awards After receiving Alumni Service Awards, honorees gathered on the seventh floor of 1957 E Street. From left to right: W. Scott Amey, MS ’75; Robert Robert G. Efrus, BA ’80, MPA ’82; Jeffrey A. Flaks, MHS ’96; Camille A. Stillwell, MA ’93, EdD ’99; and Stuart S. Kassan, MD ’72.

Class of 2006 Endows Service Fund

In the spring, the Class of 2006 contributed a gift to the University that will have long-lasting benefits for GW students. The endowed Class of 2006 Community Service Fund will enable students who initiate community service projects to apply for grants to help support their work. The fund was created with generous contributions from about 450 members of the senior class, and was presented to President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg at the close of the year.

During Grad Week in May, nearly 600 seniors gathered at Nick’s Riverside Grille in Georgetown to celebrate their first night as alumni, at the first annual “Zero” Year Reunion, sponsored by the GW Alumni Association. Participants enjoyed food, drink, and conversation at the waterfront venue.

The event salutes the graduating class and allows them to sample the alumni community and camaraderie that await them as the newest grads of GW.

Dinners Help Alumni, Students Connect

Alumni interested in reconnecting with the GW community can form meaningful bonds with students by taking a small group of GW undergraduates to dinner. The GW Alumni Association is looking for hosts in the Washington area for the Dinner with Alumni Program. The program provides alumni hosts an opportunity to meet with and mentor GW students whose academic and professional interests align with their own. Participants gain the rewarding experience of working with undergraduates. In addition, the cost of a host’s dinner is a tax-deductible gift to GW. To learn more about the Dinner with Alumni program, please visit www.alumni.gwu.edu/sip/alumnidinner.html or e-mail dinner@gwu.edu.

GW Annual Fund Has Record Year

The 12 months that ended June 30, 2006, was GW Annual Fund’s best year to date. The fund raised nearly $4.3 million, up 22 percent from the year before. Further, nearly 18,000 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends made gifts to GW, expanding the pool of donors by 17 percent.

This year’s success stems in part from increased efforts at the Annual Fund’s call center, staffed by undergraduates; students this year talked to more than 40,000 alumni, parents, and friends of the University, many of whom responded with gifts. The Annual Fund also launched its first e-mail campaign this year, including a special year-end thank you to donors.

The GW Law School Annual Fund also had a successful year, in part due to a matching gift provided by the Law School Board of Advisors. The Law Annual Fund raised $970,333, from more than 3,000 donors, a 26 percent revenue increase and a 15 percent rise in the number of donors.

For more information about the GW Annual Fund, or to contribute to this year’s effort, please visit www.gwu.edu/give2gw.