Student Service Center to occupy Marvin Center's vacant ground floor space
A student service center will occupy the vacant ground-floor space in the Marvin Center next year, officials told student leaders last week.
News
BREAKING NEWS: Trachtenberg to headline Commencement
Updated Wednesday, April 11, 2:01 p.m.
by Brandon Butler
Senior News Editor
Outgoing University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg will be this year's keynote speaker at Commencement, he confirmed Wednesday morning.
The University-wide ceremony, which will be Trachtenberg's last, will take place May 20 on the National Mall between 4th and 7th streets. Trachtenberg has addressed graduates each year as a speaker at the ceremony, but has never been the keynote speaker. Last year's keynote speakers were former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.
"We explored all our options," Trachtenberg said about the University's decision to name him keynote speaker. "Well, we thought about the Queen of England. But, in the end, we thought we've given you such a rich array of speakers during the year, between the president of Afghanistan and the president of Pakistan and former presidents of the United States ... When people are dining on a high-calorie diet like that, periodically you have to cut back on a little bit of that diet."
Trachtenberg will be stepping down from his position this summer after 19 years.
Also speaking at this year's Commencement ceremony will be Linda Cropp, former chair of the D.C. City Council and unsuccessful candidate for mayor, she confirmed Wednesday. Cropp's husband, Dwight Cropp, is an associate professor of public policy and public administration at GW.
"There's no question it's an honor to be a participant in the ceremony," said Cropp, who added that she was invited about a month ago but did not have any more details on the event.
For more details on Commencement and the GW community's reaction to the keynote speaker choice, please check back at www.gwhatchet.com throughout the day.
-David Ceasar contributed to this report.
WEB UPDATE: MPD responds to suspicious package in Marvin Center
The Marvin Center's fifth floor was evacuated for about an hour Monday afternoon when the Metropolitan Police Department's bomb squad responded to a suspicious package.
Admissions rate expected to be best in GW history
This year's acceptance rate is expected to be the lowest in University history, officials said last week. Out of the 19,450 applicants, GW has admitted 6,960, a 36 percent acceptance rate.
President-elect Knapp may move into Alumni House
University President-elect Steven Knapp will likely live on campus in the Alumni House when he takes office this summer, University officials said. The building, located at the corner of 20th and F streets, houses work space for alumni relations staff and has a common area for receptions and group events.
Inside the 20-year campus plan
In the last 30 days, GW has gained D.C. approval for two ambitious development projects: Square 54 and the 20-year Campus Plan. Both community members and University officials agree the two projects will drastically change GW and Foggy Bottom.
AIDS institute fosters collaboration of resources
When Alan Greenberg was a medical student at GW decades ago, he described Washington as a "powerhouse of expertise" in the study and treatment of HIV/AIDS. But when he returned to Foggy Bottom in 2005 as the department chair of epidemiology and biostatistics in the School of Public Health, he noticed that Washington has a wealth of AIDS research, but lacks a system for networking the resources.
Pelham construction set to begin 2010
University officials finalized plans last week to expand the Mount Vernon Campus by renovating Pelham Hall and potentially building a full cafeteria. The reconstruction, which is projected to begin in fall 2010, will require a complete demolition of the existing residence hall - to be replaced by a larger building that will house almost three times as many beds.
Kaplan rates best sites to take LSAT's
The quality of LSAT testing sites varies greatly and can impact students' performance on the test, according to student feedback Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions collected and released last month. "Students should know that while the overall quality of their preparation for the LSAT is the paramount factor in determining their success on the exam, some variables they have not considered may also influence their performance," said Steven Marietti, director of Pre-Law Programs at Kaplan.
Students, locals say they know little about campus plan
Administrators, lawyers and impassioned community activists have spent thousands of hours promoting Square 54 and the 20-year Campus Plan, but many students and local residents are unaware of the details of the proposals. The University has been pushing development proposals on the vacant lot across from GW Hospital since the old hospital was demolished three years ago.
Panel discusses rogue states including Iran, North Korea
Experts mulled U.S. foreign policy toward Iran and North Korea at an all-day conference Thursday at 1957 E Street. About 40 GW students and professors attended the Elliott School-sponsored conference titled, "Deterring 'Rogue States': Do the Old Rules Apply?" Robert Litwak, director of International Security Studies at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, discussed what a rogue state is and how it affects the international community.
SJT to do campus tour in GW trolley
Outgoing University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg will visit four residence halls April 17 as part of an event administrators are calling the Trachtenberg House Party. A farewell tour for Trachtenberg, the event recognizes his contributions to residence hall life and the GW community.
Student pleads guilty to distribution of marijuana
A freshman who was arrested on charges that he received a package containing marijuana via DHL shipping in January pled guilty Thursday to two criminal counts of possession with intent to distribute. The student, Sriram Prakash, originally told The Hatchet that he was being falsely accused.
Campus Calendar
Monday Travel the World with GW-UNICEF Make your way around the world in one evening with food, culture and fashion. 7 to 11 p.m. Marvin Center Grand Ballroom $10 Sponsored by GW UNICEF Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Join in this discussion with Dr.
University announces recipients of alumni award
President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and the GW Alumni Association announced last week the winners of the 46th annual Distinguished Alumni Service Award. "It is a source of great pride to honor six individuals who have been excellent stewards of the growth and vitality of GW during my presidency," said Trachtenberg in a news release.
Sorority honored for donating books
The Pi Beta Phi sorority recently received national recognition for raising the most money for non-profit organization First Book out of 131 active Pi Phi chapters across the country. The chapter donated more than 2,000 books and raised more than $3,475 through a six-week online book drive that ended March 2, the National Fraternity Day of Service.
Corrections
The Hatchet mistakenly reported in "SPJ names The Hatchet best non-daily newspaper in region" (April 5, p. 2) that Brandon Butler and Ryan Holeywell received first-place awards for breaking news reporting. They won for general news reporting. In the article "School delays vote on 4x4" (April 5, p.
