May 11, 1998

The people called it “ragtime” – the music that became the hallmark of an era. Ragtime, the music, was characterized by clear piano chords, blaring trumpets and a foot-tapping beat. Ragtime, the era, was marked by the birth of silent movies, the heyday of vaudeville and weekends under Atlantic City lights. Now, Ragtime is a […]

Prior to 1995, GW had no contingency plan for Commencement if the weather forced the ceremony off the Ellipse. “No one gave much thought to it,” said Director of University Special Events Lynn Shipway. “Our backup plan was to cancel Commencement.” So when a lightening storm descended on the District three years ago, the University […]

Former Sen. Robert Dole will draw on decades of public service and recent discussions with GW students when he gives the keynote address at the University’s Commencement Sunday. At the invitation of GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, Dole met with students several Saturday mornings this year for informal discussions on current events and University issues. […]

Bob Dole delivered his fair share of speeches during his decades-long political career. Dole will bring those years of speaking experience to the Ellipse as the keynote speaker at GW’s Commencement ceremony Sunday. But students have mixed emotions about the University’s choice of speakers. “I’m excited because I think he’s a good speaker – he’s […]

Since GW’s Commencement was moved to the Ellipse in 1992, an assortment of famous speakers have stood behind the podium to deliver the ceremony’s keynote speech. From First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1994 to comedian Bill Cosby in 1997, GW Commencements have drawn high-caliber performances from celebrity speakers. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William […]