GW will hold its Opening Convocation Tuesday, featuring former White House correspondent Helen Thomas.

The only thing I can really do is inspire students in college, Thomas said. They’re going to have to face the real world soon.

Thomas, who writes a column for Hearst Newspapers, joined the School of Media and Public Affairs as a Shapiro Fellow over the summer.

The Convocation will focus on the upcoming presidential election, said Barbara Porter, director of Public Affairs.

Faculty members will discuss the possible implications of the election, and how the winning candidate will affect particular issues, such as education and health care.

We thought, given our location and the nature of the focus of GW students and the whole country, this would be a topic of interest and one that GW could address with special emphasis, GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg said.

Carl Stern, the Shapiro Professor for SMPA, will moderate the panel.

Trachtenberg said he will not speak at the Convocation.

My job is largely symbolic, Trachtenberg said.

Faculty members will take questions from students.

This is a really hot topic, Porter said. Everyone is interested in elections . and we’ve gathered a tremendous think tank.

-Sarah Lechner