Chris Pappas: Reflecting on the End of Our Second to Last Semester

Seven semesters have come and gone, and in January, the Class of 2011 will start their eighth and final one. It is a scary thought to be leaving GW in May as “on your own” takes on a completely new meaning. For better or worse, we have all called GW our home for the last three years, and with our final one coming to a close it is hard not to reflect on your experience. For many of us, we have been involved in student organizations, joined Greek Life, and froze at the Inauguration of President Obama. We have explored DC, made new friends, taken classes that we have loved and hated, and lived in some of the finest residence halls. Whatever the case may be, something has been the impetus of your success at GW, and chances are, that same thing will be the highlight of someone else’s GW experience as well.

As a senior, you have the chance to ensure that students after you have a great college experience, the same way past seniors have done for us. You can donate to the Senior Class Gift, while designating your gift to a student org, department, or scholarships and financial aid. I chose to give my gift to the President’s Fund for Excellence, allowing my donation to help the university’s most pressing needs. Through financial aid, the support of my parents, and gifts made to the university (like through the Senior Class Gift) I am able to attend GW. My friends and involvement have made my experience the best it can be, and I hope my gift can do the same for students to come.

Donate your gift to something that made your GW experience worthwhile, or donate it to help improve an area that could be better. Regardless of why or where, donating to the campaign helps ensure that future students have the same, if not better, GW experience we are all entitled to as students.

Last Week of Classes Senior Night

Come celebrate with all of your December grad friends at Sign of the Whale next Thursday! Take a break before you start your second to last (or last) set of finals. Give your gift at the door and receive free drink tickets: three if you're graduating in December, two if you're graduating in May, and one if you've already given your gift (21+ only with valid ID).

Get there early to see your friends guest bartend: Chris Franzetti, Brianna Lepke, Justin Guiffre, Tabisa Walwema, Dan Bandong, Xochitl Sanchez, Randy Grey, and Kadin Nazkani.

We also have $2 domestic beers and $3 rail drinks specials from 9:00-11:00 pm.

Find the event on Facebook.

Mia Sorkin: Why I Gave my Senior Class Gift

Everyone’s doing it, but why? GW’s Senior Class Gift allows YOU to answer that question.

Upon starting my undergraduate education at GW, I had no idea what I wanted from my "GW Experience." In my eyes, everyone had a future in politics or international affairs, and I did not categorize myself in either of these academic interests. I began to question my motives and wonder how I would make this urban location and university work for ME. It was not until the end of my freshmen year that GW really began to reveal itself to me-- through service opportunities and student organizations, I was guided towards a new field of study, Exercise Science. This department is housed within the sometimes overlooked, School of Public Health and Health Services; however, a passionate faculty and staff and an immeasurable amount of academic resources complement its close-knit student population. Through this program, I was able to connect my extracurricular activities with my academic interest-- making my GW learning experience one that extended outside the classroom.

I donated my senior class gift to The School of Public Health and Health Service. My school allowed me to learn what I love, while helping establish myself within such an active University, an opportunity that every student should be granted. I encourage YOU to give back to an organization, program, department, or school that made your experience at GW a memorable one.

Why I Gave...from Senior Ryan Douglass

By now I’m sure you’ve seen the T-shirts, read the emails, gotten the texts, and sequentially been asked to give to the Senior Class Gift. The natural response that goes through most senior’s minds is, ‘why?’ Why give to GW? While each person’s experience has been different, one thing remains constant. Whether it was your student org, scholarship, fellowship, internship, or simply spending four years in our nation’s capitol- there is something special that kept us here all four years.

So why did I give? While it is pretty undeniable that I would be classified as a “GW tool,” this is not my only reason for giving. I have had an amazing three years at this school. The classes I have taken, the student organizations I have been a part of and the professional opportunities I have been offered all have attributed to why GW is the perfect fit for me- allowing growth in all parts of life. The type of experience our school offers is one of a kind, and if my gift can help current and future students at GW, then sign me up!

I chose to give to the GW Power & Promise Fund, because like a majority of GW students, I am a recipient of financial aid. Initially, I thought the chance of me being able to afford GW was slim. However, due to various scholarships and grants from such programs as the Power & Promise Fund, GW became a reality. Continuing to support these programs thereby allowing more students to make GW a reality, was more than enough reason for me to give.

At the end of the day the Senior Class Gift is not only a chance for you to positively affect those things that have been most important to you during your time here, but also the opportunity to leave our mark as a class. So I urge you all think about what part of GW has been your most memorable, has impacted you most, and then LIVE UP TO THE CHA’11ENGE and give back today!

Seniors Vote for Emergency Scholarships

Over 700 seniors voted for the 2011 Senior Class Gift last week. The Ron Howard Emergency Scholarship Fund will be the recipient of the matched funds from members of the Luther Rice Society. To read more about the gift, check out this link to the GW Hatchet's article this morning:

Senior gift will go to scholarship fund - News

2011 Senior Class Gift Voting Options

TEXT THE VOTE ("GW2011" to 30364)

Emergency Scholarship Fund- “Ron Howard Emergency Scholarship Fund”

• This endowment fund was established in 1997 by friends of Ron Howard. The income earned by the fund supports financial awards to full-time undergraduate students who are active in leadership or extra-curricular activities at the University and who have emergency or other financial needs that are not met through traditional financial aid.

Office of Sustainability (Campus Green Fund)

• Senior Class Gift funds will support the Campus Green Fund established by President Steven Knapp this April. The Campus Green Fund functions as a revolving fund for sustainability that will initially improve buildings on campus, making them more energy efficient. The university then in turn will take the cost savings from those improvements and put it back into the fund.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

• Started in 2002, the Gamow Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program provides either academic year or summer funding to 8-10 undergraduate students in all schools of the University who submit a joint proposal with a faculty member to conduct research.

Center for Entrepreneurship (GW Business Plan Competition)

• Through the Center for Entrepreneurship the 2011 Senior Class Gift fund will provide three $10,000 undergraduate awards over three years to the undergraduate winners of the GW Business Plan competition. These three awards will be presented in the name of the Class of 2011 and give undergraduate students an incentive to compete in a competition that has traditionally been won by graduate students.

Office of Parent Services Silent Auction to Benefit Senior Class Gift

Looking for a break from all the monument and museum tours with your parents this weekend? Bring them down to the Office of Parent's Services Silent Auction any time from 1:30-5:00 on Saturday in the Marvin Center Abrams Great Hall.

Some of the items already received from parents this year include week long vacations, tickets to sporting events, gift certificates to restaurants, and items such as books, luggage, and jewelry etc. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Senior Class Gift and a community service project.

If your parents would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Trayonna Floyd, Graduate Assistant at 202.994.1076 or via email at trayonna@gwu.edu.

Of course, leave some time to make it to the Senior-Junior BBQ from 3:00-5:00 pm in Kogan Plaza as well!

Colonials Weekend is almost here!

You don't have to have family in town to enjoy Colonials Weekend. The Senior Class Gift Campaign invites you to the Senior-Junior BBQ in Kogan Plaza from 3:00-5:00 pm on Saturday, October 16th. If you do have family and friends in town, feel free to bring them along too! How better to spend your afternoon than mingling with your friends and their families over complimentary food and beer? (Only 21+ students and guests with a valid ID will be served alcohol). RSVP to the event here. Be sure to get there early to claim your free drink tickets!



Cosponsored by the Luther Rice Society & Marvin Center Governing Board.

Senior Breakfast Photos!

It's Senior Year!

This is it... senior year! We’ve all been through the insecurity and excitement that comes as a chapter concludes in our lives. Only four years ago, we were energized and nervous to start the last year of high school, apply for college, and leave home. Been there, done that right? No, this is different. We now have to go out into the real world, grow up, get jobs, and part ways with what took us so long to call home. At least for me, coming to GW wasn’t easy; it was a cha11enge. But a cha11enge worth my while nonetheless. Over the last three years, this university has truly become my home and the people here my family. I don’t understand how it all went by so quickly, but here it is. In the past week, my emotions have been a crazy roller coaster ride. One moment the word “senior” makes me nostalgic, and the next I’m stoked with excitement for the next nine months.

Today is the start of many ‘lasts’ for the class of 2011. We shouldn’t consider this, though, as the end but rather the beginning. The beginning of life long friendships, prosperous careers, fulfilling lives. The experiences and relationships we have made here at GW are truly one of a kind and ones that we will keep forever. And for those who get overwhelmed thinking about the future and are questioned on every corner of the street about what comes next..... it’s going to be ok!

To be honest, I have no idea what lies ahead, but really who cares?!?!?!?! This is SENIOR YEAR!!! So for now, I will dry my eyes, whether they be tears of sadness or joy, and make every moment count. Because if this is it, well I’m going to live it up. Class of 2011, cheers to you and our future.

Let’s promise that this year we’re going to laugh more, we’re going to love more, we’re not going to be so afraid. In the process of this all, reflect back on what GW has given to you, because something really does happen here. Look back on the good and the bad, the mistakes and the successes, and make a difference in the future of GW and “Live up to the Cha11enge.” It’s been a pleasure to be a part of the Class of 2011.

- Xochitl Sanchez

Welcome to the Senior Class Gift Blog!

The start of senior year is just around the corner, can you believe it?! Be sure to check out our blog often to find out what the rest of our class is up to during senior year. We'll be your one stop resource for all of the important happenings on campus and for information leading up to commencement.

You can also keep up with all the senior events and other Senior Class Gift Campaign info by:

• Becoming a fan on Facebook
• Following @GWSeniors2011 on Twitter
• Texting GW2011 to 30364

If you're interested in serving on the Senior Class Gift Committee or have any ideas for this year's gift, email Eric Thibault at srclass@gwu.edu