Check out what Patrick Darin and Nadia Rakin have to say about their freshmen experiences in this semester’s last Freshmen Spotlight.

Assembled by Rowan Alkaysi, Assistant Director of New Students

On behalf on the Student Association, congratulations to the Class of 2016 on completing their freshman year, and we wish the best of luck to the incoming freshman Class of 2017!

The 28th Annual Excellence in Student Life Awards will take place on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 7:00 pm in Lisner Auditorium.

Pick up tickets from John Quincy Adams House (JQA), Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) or Colonial Crossroads.

For the list of nominees, click here: http://students.gwu.edu/excellence-student-life-awards

Buzzing for Change (@GWUB4C) and Relay for Life (@RelayofGW) both bring the GW community together to help fight cancer. 

Stop by Kogan Plaza Midcampus Quad from 12 - 4 PM on Saturday, 4/20 to buzz or cut 6+ inches of your hair to donate to Locks for Love. $10 minimum suggested donation to participate, get a t-shirt and lunch/snacks. #ColonialsBuzz

The day continues, then, in helping to fight cancer, with Relay for Life. This event brings together various teams in the Lerner Health and Wellness Center Saturday evening through Sunday morning to mirror the process cancer patients and their friends/families experience. For more information, click here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=48767 

This year, we have worked to define our identity as a student body. Through the university’s rebranding, the loss of this year’s ranking, and the recent article in the Washington Post, this is a defining moment for our community.

As members of this student body, we live every day by our namesake’s motto of “Deeds, Not Words.” We believe in taking action in our community – not because it improves our reputation or our ranking, but because it’s the right thing to do. 

We may have grown up in different places, but we came to Washington, D.C. to learn, grow, and serve with respect and sincerity. We use what we learn in the classroom in the actions we take outside of it, through programs like D.C. Reads and other service groups, professional internships, and our own student organizations. We embrace these opportunities and, in doing so, strive to contribute in our corner of the world and beyond.

This is what defines us. This is who we are. By embracing these meaningful experiences, we seek to engage the world around us and work to become active global citizens. In this way, GW students value actions over words and strive to create opportunities for others.

Despite all the criticism that our university has faced, we are proud to be members of this student body. As the semester winds down, we should all make the most of our time in the nation’s capital, appreciate the educational opportunities we have earned, and thank those in our lives who helped to get us to where we are today. 

Ashwin Narla and Abby Bergren

President and Executive Vice President

GW Student Association

The George Washington University now has a calendar to see all University events in one convenient place. Here’s how to submit your student organization’s event:

1. Go to the university calendar website (http://browse.calendar.gwu.edu):

2. Click on “Submit An Event” on the top right corner:

3. Click on “Student Organization Events” for the form to submit an event:

4. Complete the event submission form, including all the details and logistics:

5. Preview all the information to make sure you filled in all necessary information and it is correct:

6. Once you preview, submit the event. When the event gets approved, it will be listed on the calendar, like this:

7. When publicizing your event, make sure to use the hashtag #UCal and let us know if we can do anything for you (@GWStudAssoc). Raise High!

Last night, the Student Association and Marvin Center Governing Board hosted the Grand Re-Opening of the Fourth Floor Renovations. The project cost $250,000 and originated from the vision of John Richardson and Dylan Pyne during last year’s efforts. The two worked with GW Administration to carry out the vision, and now this student space is open to the entire GW community.

“Thank you to the administration for helping us develop this plan.” - John Richardson, MCGB Chair

“This addition is so exciting….Deeds Not Words reflects the work that was put into this space.” - Ashwin Narla, SA President

“Enjoy this space and keep working with us on finding more opportunities to make our GW community vibrant.” - University President Steven Knapp

The Marvin 433 space is open during Marvin Center operating hours. It features tables, various chairs, whiteboards and a laptop charging station in the side room.

The SA is also pleased to announce that a Student Space Task Force will carry forward this issue next year and beyond. This will continue the relationship we have with administration in making sure the study body has room to make history.

Thank you to all who attended, and thank you to the student body and the administration for your support of student space at The George Washington University.

Photographs taken and post written by: