GW to join Brookings Institution
GW’s department of public administration is teaming up with the Brookings Institution to offer joint academic programs and other educational initiatives in public policy and administration.
Through the partnership, master’s students in GW’s public administration and policy programs will take tuition-free courses for academic credit at Brookings’ Center for Public Policy Education and Government Affairs Institute. Brookings will also sponsor several internship spots for GW students beginning in September.
The GW-Brookings partnership also will allow GW faculty a chance to speak at the organization’s briefings and conferences.
“Brookings is always on the cutting edge of the public policy debate,” said Kathryn Newcomer, chair of GW’s department of public administration, in a University press release. “I am delighted that our faculty and students will be involved in these deliberations.”
Initiatives under the partnership include co-sponsorship and joint staffing of Brookings’ Executive Leadership Seminar, a jointly-offered certificate of advanced public management and continued co-sponsorship of the vice president’s Annual National Performance Review Conference.
“Both Brookings and GW have well-deserved reputations for excellence in education and through our new collaboration, we will be able to combine the best of both institutions to produce exceptional educational programs,” said Lawrence J. Korb, director of the Center for Public Policy Education, in a press release.
-Becky Neilson
Costa Rican president to receive GW President’s Medal
Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez will receive the GW President’s Medal June 10.
Rodriguez was elected in February in his third run for the presidency. In the 1994 election, he lost by 20,000 votes. He was a congressman in Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 1994 and served as president of the Assembly from 1991 to 1992. He has been a professor of economics at the University of Costa Rica and Universidad Autonoma de Centro America since 1963.
The GW President’s Medal is the highest honor awarded by the University president. Since its creation in 1988, the award has been bestowed upon Vaclav Havel, Walter Cronkite, Abba Eban and Mikhail Gorbachev, among others.
The ceremony is June 10 at 4 p.m. at the F Street Club.
-Helder Gil
GW-Shenandoah alliance to offer education program
An alliance between GW’s Virginia campus and Shenandoah University, to be finalized next week, will create a joint accelerated doctoral program in higher education administration.
The two-year weekend program has already generated interest from more than 200 people, according to a University press release.
“Already, the response to this new academic program has been tremendous – an indication that we’re providing a relevant and worthwhile service,” said Irwin Price, dean of the Virginia campus, in a release. “Shenandoah University’s strengths and reputation for quality will complement our efforts at GW’s Virginia campus,” he said.
The doctoral program includes courses in policy, organizational management, institutional budgeting, information systems management and research methodologies. GW faculty members will staff the program.
Classes will be offered at GW and Shenandoah, and professors will hold Internet office hours.
Program graduates will earn a doctorate in education from GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
The program will hold an open house at Shenandoah June 11 at 7 p.m. and at GW’s Virginia campus June 17 at 6 p.m. For more information, e-mail the program at [email protected].
-Becky Neilson
Ritz-Carlton planned near campus
A new 300-room Ritz-Carlton hotel, part of a $225 million, two-and-a-half acre development project, is scheduled to be built in D.C.’s West End.
The hotel at 2200 M St. – the former parking lot of Blackie’s House of Beef – is expected to open in 2000.
The 11-story hotel will include 200 luxury condominiums, a 100,000-square-foot health club, 40,000 square feet of stores and restaurants, and about 700 parking spaces filling almost an entire city block.
The building is being developed by a partnership of Eastbanc Inc., a D.C. development firm, and Millennium Partners, a New York-based company whose previous projects include Manhattan’s Lincoln Square.
“The Ritz-Carlton Hotel and Residencies will help the West End neighborhood realize its potential as an active, 24-hour neighborhood,” said Anthony Lanier, president of Eastbanc Inc., in a press release.
However, Dorothy Miller, the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for ANC-2A05 and vice president of the Columbia Plaza Tenants Association, disagreed.
“It will kill the area,” she said. “Eight years ago the traffic was recorded as Level F – the worst you can get,” Miller said.
-Helder Gil
Community service office seeks students
GW’s Office of Community Service currently has summer opportunities for students interested in community involvement.
“Most of the Neighbors Project programs that operate during the school year are open in the summer,” said OCS’ Ron Jackson.
Among the programs is Project Renovate, which assists the organization Manna in projects like building playgrounds and painting. Project Care is another OCS program that works with Emmaeus Services for the Aging to assist with cleaning, shopping and outreach to senior citizens.
In addition, Project Child supervises children at the Bright Beginnings day care center during the summer.
Other opportunities for community service also are available in OCS.
-Preethy Kolinjivadi
