Gw impact fall 2017

IMPACT

Fall 2017 A P U B L I C AT I O N F O R G W ’ S M OS T G E N E R O U S D O N O R S

A

Community of

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Institute works to ensure quality care for all

Did I feed the goldfish?

Did I leave the oven on?

Did I make my annual gift to my university?

*

Your philanthropy ensures that qualified students can afford to attend GW, make the most of their opportunities, and graduate with the skills and experience necessary to succeed.

Don’t forget to make your annual gift to the George Washington University at go.gwu.edu/annualgift.

* And find out if your employer will match your gift.

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IMPACT

CONTENTS

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FAMILIES AND FRIENDS • The Domnick Family supports new technology to advance discovery and creation • GW parents Jian Zhang and Min Shi support GWSB dean’s fund

6 FOUNDATIONS • Nursing educator Dr. Ashley DarcyMahoney selected for prestigious foundation scholar program • Russia and Eurasia program develops policy-relevant and collaborative research 12

STUDENTS AND FACULTY • Harlan Trust supports campus greenhouse • Crowdfunding effort paid for improvements to the Military Community Center • Alumni support Women’s Leadership Program student experiences and professional development • Alumnus starts fund to support a GSPM study abroad program in South Africa • Center advances study, design, and implementation of competition law systems globally

PAGE 8 | COVER STORY

A Community of Care Institute within the GW Cancer Center works to ensure quality care for all

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LEADERSHIP CORNER

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IN FOCUS

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Students lead crowdfunding initiatives

PHOTO FINISH

Colonials Weekend 2017

• Gift provides daily balanced breakfasts to student-athletes • Voluntary library funding provides important upgrades and student services in GW’s libraries • GW Legacy Challenge puts matching dollars to use right now 20

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES • GW Law and the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project help exonerate wrongly incarcerated individuals • Girl Rising and GW work together to promote girls’ education and empowerment

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WHY I GIVE • GWSB alumna starts a needs-based scholarship for children of military parents • Presidential Fellow gives back to support GW’s prestigious professional development program

giving.gwu.edu

[LEADERSHIP CORNER] I M PA C T EDITOR

Amanda Charney

The Transformative Power of Education

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

GW’s 17th president is no stranger

Craig Burdick Joan Ochi Julia Parmley, MPS ’10 Lauren Savoy, MA ’15

to philanthropy. When Thomas

LeBlanc was 16, the high school

junior from Plattsburgh, New York,

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

spent a year studying abroad in

Margaret Battey Monica Dutia Michele Lynn Cassandra Zacharkiw

Brazil through a scholarship from the American Field Service. That trip turned out to be seismic for

PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY

him; a fountain of awareness on

Thomas J. LeBlanc

every level.

INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT

The generosity of those around

AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

Matthew R. Manfra

INTERIM SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Matthew Lindsay, MBA ’07 PHOTOGRAPHERS

William Atkins Gayatri Malhotra, SPH ’19 Lauren Shear Logan Werlinger DESIGN

Michelle Wandres GW Impact is published by the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, The George Washington University, 2033 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20052.

G W I M PAC T

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Please send change-of-address notices to us online at alumni.gwu.edu/update, via email to alumrecs@gwu.edu, or by post to Alumni Records, 2033 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20052.

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Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect official positions of the university.

We’re passionate about the role higher ed plays today for others.

We were two lowermiddle-class kids, and education has made our lives— only because other people decided to invest in us.”

President Thomas J. LeBlanc

him touched his life again when he was ready to go to college. Noting that his family didn’t have a lot of money, he acknowledged that

without financial aid he wouldn’t

have been able to pursue higher education.

“I went to Brazil on the good

graces of others, I went to college on the good graces of others, and then in graduate school

both Anne (his wife) and I had

teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, that

type of thing,” says LeBlanc. “So

we’re very grateful for the fact that

other people—nameless, faceless in many cases—invested in us.”

LeBlanc and his wife

established an endowment at

the University of Miami, where he

served as executive vice president and provost, for students to study

abroad, because “often the barrier

The George Washington University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

is financial aid.” LeBlanc adds,

Cover photo: Logan Werlinger/ The George Washington University

Brazil) and we wanted to give back

“Somebody put up the money for me to have that experience (in

and make sure the next generation has that experience, too.” |

GW

giving.gwu.edu

[IN FOCUS] Why Did I Receive this Magazine?

We send GW Impact to our most generous donors.

Members of the following societies receive the magazine

as a token of our appreciation for giving to GW. Inside these pages, you’ll read about students and faculty who make a difference at GW every day and thrive because of donors like you.

Thank you.

The George Washington Society

The George Washington Society honors the commitment and cumulative giving

of our most generous supporters. Donors

whose ­cumulative giving totals have reached $100,000 or more during their lifetime are

recognized through this society. Donors whose cumulative giving totals have reached

$1 ­million or more are considered 1821

Benefactors of the society, named in recognition of the year the university was founded.

The Heritage Society

The Heritage Society honors alumni, friends, faculty, and staff who support GW through

a bequest intention, charitable gift annuity, charitable trust, or other planned gift.

Luther Rice Society

Luther Rice raised the necessary funding to

make George Washington’s vision of a university in the heart of our nation’s capital a reality.

The Luther Rice Society, named in his honor,

recognizes distinguished students, alumni, and

Students Lead CROWDFUNDING Initiatives Alumni and donors can make a direct impact on students and the GW community through GW’s Colonial Crowdfunding initiative.

Each semester, registered student organizations pitch

their passion projects through the Center for Student

Engagement. A committee comprising students and staff members review the ideas and select several projects to move forward. During the past two years, Colonial

Crowdfunding has received 86 applications, and 23 studentled projects have advanced to participate in fundraising. To date, student organizations have raised more than $28,000 to support these projects.

out recent and future projects æ Check at go.gwu.edu/gwcrowdfund.

friends who annually contribute at a leadership level ($250+ for alumni within five years of

graduation; $500+ for alumni six to nine years after graduation; $1,000+ 10 years out).

G W I M PAC T

GW Loyal

Established in 2014, GW Loyal was created

to honor our most committed donors, those

who understand the importance of consistent faculty, parents, staff, and friends who give any

amount, to any area of the university, for two or more consecutive fiscal years (July 1-June 30) are recognized as members of GW Loyal.

The Mu Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is fundraising to provide high school senior girls from Washington, D.C., with a trunk full of school supplies and toiletries for college.

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support to the university. Students, alumni,

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giving.gwu.edu

Above: Rapid prototyping creates scale models using 3D computer and printing equipment.

|e Corcoran is more than just a building; it is a new way of

creatively taking on the social issues of the day. We are honored to invest at the ground level for what we believe will be a pillar for the future.”

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KELLY Domnick

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[FAMILY PHILANTHROPY]

Creativity has the potential to

Practical Application

School of the Arts and Design aims to

Family gift provides rapid prototyping studio to enhance discovery and creation

By Julia Parmley, MPS ’10

change the world. The Corcoran

Advisory Council, an experience Kelly says has been “rejuvenating.”

“We have met many interesting

link creative expression and practical

people that we would never have

rich, multidimensional careers in the

life,” she says.

application to prepare scholars for 21st century world.

GW parents Kelly and Sean

Domnick recognize this mission

requires philanthropic support. Their

gift in support of the Rapid Prototyping Studio will allow all Corcoran students and faculty to embark on projects that emphasize experimentation, iteration, and prototyping.

The Domnicks, parents of

Kathryn Domnick, CCAS ’18, became interested in the Corcoran after

getting involved in the GW Family

Philanthropy Board and the Corcoran

been exposed to in our usual circle of The Domnicks are excited for the

possibilities of the Rapid Prototyping Studio, which will foster discovery

and creation. But the Domnicks are discovering something themselves

through their engagement with GW.

“We have actually gained so much

by being involved [with GW],” says Kelly. “We have been invigorated, inspired, and exposed to new

adventures. Kathryn laughs and says that we are learning and having as

much fun as she is at GW, and I think it is true!” |

GW

giving.gwu.edu

[FAMILY PHILANTHROPY]

Tradition of Giving Family supports GWSB dean’s fund

| By Julia Parmley, MPS ’10

GW parents Jian Zhang and Min Shi were thrilled when their daughter Isabella Zhang, GWSB B.Accy ’14, chose to attend GW—even though it was thousands of miles away from their home in China.

“GW’s community values were a fit with our family,” say

Jian and Min. “During her four years, Isabella received a lot of valuable career training and internship opportunities,

which were valuable to help her secure a full-time job after college. As parents, we have also actively expanded the

influence of GW in China. Isabella will always be thankful to her alma mater, carrying forward its culture and promoting its values.”

Joining the Family Philanthropy Board and providing

philanthropic support to GW was a “natural step” for

Jian and Min. “Keeping close contact with schools and

participating actively in a school’s development has been a tradition of our family,” say Jian and Min, who also established a fund in China that provides financial aid for students around the world.

We believe students who are eager to study should be offered a place to receive a proper education.”

Jian Zhang and Min Shi

Jian and Min hope their

support of the GW School of

Business Dean’s Fund will make an impact on students of need and enhance the research opportunities of students and faculty.

“We believe

students who are eager to

offered a place to receive a proper education,” say Jian and Min.

the biggest gift you can give to anybody.” |

GW

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“Education is

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study should be

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giving.gwu.edu

[FOUNDATIONS]

Better Care for Kids GW faculty member selected for prestigious scholar program Experts agree children living in

a child’s health. This is particularly important for the 45

health care needs. Dr. Ashley

children’s physical, educational, emotional, and social health.

poverty have more complicated Darcy-Mahoney is doing something about it.

A neonatal nurse practitioner,

Read more about how GW is advancing equity in health care on page 8.

| By Joan Ochi

researcher, and educator, Dr.

­Darcy- Mahoney has dedicated her career to exploring how social and environmental factors influence

percent of all U.S. children who live in poverty, a key factor of At the GW School of Nursing, Dr. Darcy-Mahoney

employs innovative teaching methods that empower aspiring pediatric clinicians to be effective health care leaders.

And her work is getting noticed.

In June, the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation—the only

national foundation solely dedicated to improving the education of health professionals—selected Dr. DarcyMahoney as a Macy Faculty Scholar.

Launched in 2010, this program aims

to accelerate needed reforms in health

professions education to accommodate

the dramatic changes occurring in medical practice and health care delivery.

Macy Faculty Scholars receive $100,000

annually over two years to pursue

mentored educational innovation projects.

Dr. Darcy-Mahoney is leading an effort to develop, implement, and build the

Pediatric Equity Scholars Program (PESP), which will teach medical and nursing

students to identify and address the social determinants of pediatric health through

interdisciplinary and experiential learning.

PESP is housed within the multidisciplinary

G W I M PAC T

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Health Workforce Institute at GW’s Milken

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Dr. Darcy-Mahoney

is transforming the way we deliver early childhood care to highrisk infants and children. Her innovative, evidence-based research demonstrates how to help lift families out of poverty, connect them to community partners, and ameliorate the impact of poverty on the health of children.”

School of Nursing Dean Pamela Jeffries

Institute School of Public Health, and partners with

GW’s School of Nursing, School of Medicine and Health

Sciences, and Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, as well as Children’s National Medical Center.

“The early detection and management of

socioeconomic barriers is an important, emerging

component of pediatric scope of practice for doctors,

nurses, and nurse practitioners,” says Dr. Darcy-Mahoney.

“The interdisciplinary program helps students recognize diverse social factors influencing health in children and

identify potential roles that pediatric health professionals play to improve social conditions.” |

GW

giving.gwu.edu

[FOUNDATIONS]

Policy-Relevant Research Foundations support Russia and Eurasia program | By Michele Lynn In his presidential inauguration speech, John F.

Kennedy said, “The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.” Nearly 60 years

later, his statement holds true—particularly with regard to

Russia and Eurasia—which is why the work of the Program on New Approaches to Research and Security in Eurasia (PONARS Eurasia) remains vital.

Run by Henry Hale and Marlene Laruelle, both re-

nowned scholars on Russian and Eurasian politics, PONARS Eurasia fosters a community, especially of mid-career and rising scholars, committed to developing policy-relevant and collaborative research.

“Since 2009, the Elliott School has been the proud home

for PONARS Eurasia,” says Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II,

demics, mainly from North America and post-Soviet Eurasia, PONARS Eurasia is advancing policy-relevant research

1997, and the John D. and Catherine

T. MacArthur Foundation and GW’s Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, which houses PONARS Eurasia, have also provided support.

PONARS Eurasia celebrated its

20th anniversary with its annual D.C.

Elliott School’s mission to connect academic scholarship to

conference featured presentations

Eurasia. The core mission of this program is aligned with the policy and foster collaborative research efforts.”

To achieve its goals, PONARS Eurasia publishes policy

memos and working papers, organizes top-tier conferences and workshops, and disseminates findings through social

media. The philanthropic foundation Carnegie Corporation

Policy Conference in September. The of nearly 20 draft policy memos by

program members to the D.C. poli-

cymaking community for discussion

before the memos are published and disseminated. |

GW

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on security, politics, economics, and society in Russia and

Top: Professor Henry E. Hale, co-director of PONARS Eurasia, in conversation with David Szakonyi, assistant professor of political science, on regime stability and elite corruption in Putin’s Russia.

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dean of the school. “Through a network of over 100 aca-

of New York has funded PONARS since

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Sherry Molock, associate professor of clinical psychology, the George Washington University and Tony Burns, community advisory member

Community of

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are C

GW Cancer Center works to ensure quality care for all

By Michele Lynn

hen Tony Burns was diagnosed with cancer in April

One of the ways that the institute is addressing cancer

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inequities is through its community advisory board (CAB)

lifelong District resident.

a bridge between the community and doctors.” As part

2016, he thought he had been handed a death

sentence. “But here I am, one year post-treatment,

in remission, getting on with a new normal,” says the

Tony now uses his experience with cancer as a patient

advocate, volunteering with the Institute for Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity, which is part of the GW Cancer Center. The institute conducts research with underserved

communities that have been historically discriminated against

on which Tony sits. “The community advisory board gives a voice to patients,” he says. “It lets board members be

of its efforts, the board is conducting a series of listening

sessions in D.C.’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities in order advance research based on patient and community priorities.

“This is an innovative approach, as most of the past

in clinical care settings, scientific research, and society at large.

research has been created in isolation in an academic

historically underserved in order to prioritize research ques-

head and address the priorities of the communities we

The institute seeks to understand the experiences of those

tions that are responsive to addressing cancer patient needs.

The institute then creates training materials, in-person

setting,” says Mandi. “We are trying to turn research on its serve.”

Only a small percentage of research subjects are

people of color or who identify to researchers as part of

improve communication with underserved patients, en-

is only representative of white, straight, higher-income

public health professionals, and medical administrators

hance patient engagement, reduce health care inequities, and improve patient outcomes.

“There is a clear and compelling need to eliminate

people, the guidelines and clinical pathways that are published may not be well-suited to the realities of minorities coming in the door,” she says.

The institute is part of a new vision for the GW Cancer

minorities here in our nation’s capital,” says Mandi

Center led by director Eduardo M. Sotomayor, M.D. “Nearly

tered Initiatives and Health. “Minorities make up the ma-

about 16 percent of the broader region is Hispanic, and

Pratt-Chapman, associate center director for Patient-Cenjority of our city’s residents, and often face more aggressive cancers, and sustain worse health outcomes.”

half of Washington, D.C., is black or African-American,

approximately 10 percent of D.C. residents are from the LGBTQ community,” he says. “Mandi and her team are

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bias in health care toward racial, ethnic, and sexual

the LGBTQ community, she adds. “If published research

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courses and seminars, and other tools to help clinicians,

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LGBTQ Community-Driven Cancer Research Advisory Board, from left: Mandi Pratt-Chapman, associate center director, Institute for PatientCentered Initiatives and Health Equity at the GW Cancer Center; Graham Crawbuck, former health equity research assistant, Institute for PatientCentered Initiatives and Health Equity at the GW Cancer Center; Robin Lewis, environmental justice advocate and outreach specialist, Smart Beginnings Business Solutions, LLC; Susan Messina, director of development and communications at Iona Senior Services; Aubrey Villalobos, director, Cancer Control and Health Equity, Institute for Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity at the GW Cancer Center; David Mariner, executive director at the DC Center for the LGBT Community; Sherry Molock, associate professor of clinical psychology, the George Washington University; Tony Burns, coordinator, patient advisory council, lead mentor team member, Whitman Walker Health. Not pictured: Alayna Waldrum, housing policy consultant

giving.gwu.edu

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identifying groups that have not been

The Pfizer Foundation granted $1 million to the GW

treatment efforts in the past—and bringing

ing for Patients and Providers: Advancing Equitable,

control, screening, diagnosis, and

to the table populations that have been ignored for too many years.”

Patient-Centered Cancer Care. This program aims to

improve patient-provider communication, reduce health

care bias, and foster strong patient-provider relationships.

Patient-provider communication, explicit and implicit

Alayna Waldrum, a cancer survivor who

what extent patients can share in decision-making about

the board is empowering the community: “I’m African-American, I’m a woman,

bias, and patient-provider relationships influence if and to cancer treatment options based on their values, preferences, and real-life needs.

“We are moving from training for knowledge to

and I’m a ­lesbian—all of which are pop-

training for action to foster systems changes in 25

that tend to have worse health outcomes

cancer center will create action plans focused on some

ulations with greater risk for cancer and

after diagnosis and treatment,” she says.

“The community advisory board is an FA L L 2 0 1 7

we are working on broad community

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important piece of the puzzle because

Pfizer Foundation* in 2009, the institute

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Cancer Center for a new program called TEAM Train-

Community Training and Engagement serves on the CAB alongside Tony, says

institutions nationally,” says Mandi. “Teams from each aspect of patient-provider communication, cultural

competence, and shared decision-making based on local needs.”

Mandi says her group’s projects would not be possi-

education and activism in cancer care

ble without the initial grant from The Pfizer Foundation

national level.”

To support the initiative’s mission, Mandi and her team

and treatment, not just in D.C. but at a Thanks to a $1.2 million gift from The

created a training center focused on pa* The Pfizer Foundation is a charitable organization established by Pfizer Inc. It is a separate legal entity from Pfizer Inc. with distinct legal restrictions.

As an outgrowth of that successful project, last year

properly included in cancer prevention,

tient-centered care and became a go-to

training source for clinicians interested in

patient navigation and cancer survivorship education throughout the country.

and the foundation’s renewed commitment to its work. are building a powerful collaboration with providers,

researchers, and patient advocates from GW, Fenway

Health, LGBT HealthLink, the Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office of the National Institutes of Health, Massachusetts General, Harvard, Oregon Health & Science

University, the University of Maryland, Howard University, Kaiser, and a variety of patient advocacy organizations.

experts to advance care in this way and to conduct

such a complex project, which included a great deal of formative research as well as development of a

hybrid curriculum and a leap into the nascent area

We’re really starting with the grassroots in elevating awareness and helping providers to offer more culturally competent care.”

of implementation science,” she says. “The level of

giving.gwu.edu

“We need philanthropy to address our mission

because it takes resources to bring together national

MANDI PRATT-CHAPMAN

The Pfizer’s Foundation’s commitment to the institute and the willingness of colleagues across the U.S. to

collaborate on this work is a testament to the glaring gap we are trying to address,” she says.

“The Pfizer Foundation is proud to support the im-

portant work of the GW Cancer Institute in advancing cancer care for vulnerable and underserved popula-

tions,” says Caroline Roan, Vice-President, Corporate Responsibility at Pfizer and President of The Pfizer

Foundation. “We share the goal to strive for greater

equity in health care delivery to ensure that individuals have access to quality health care.”

Quality health care is a result of collaboration and

partnership among all involved, Tony says. “Doctors

say, ‘We want you to live the best life you can, mentally

and physically. We want you to come in and if we don’t

to address this,” she says.

you (physicians) something as well. That’s how we are

compassion and communication,

know something, teach us.’ And we (patients) can teach going to see a dent in some of the disparities.”

Lori Wilson, M.D., chief of surgical oncology at

Cancer care also requires

Mandi says.

“We want to foster a culture of

Howard University College of Medicine and Howard

patient engagement for shared

on Cancer for the American College of Surgeons, has

viders go into these fields because

University Hospital and D.C. chair of the Commission

worked closely with the institute’s team in health equity—her area of expertise—as a reviewer of the full curriculum. “GW has really focused on patient-centered care in a very systematic way and has provided the

support that the region needs to understand issues of

disparities and health outcomes, how that impacts the community, and how we get all the players together

they care. They are the experts on

the therapies, but the patient is the expert on their body, their values,

and what’s most important to them in terms of their goals of therapy. Having some attention to that is critical and that’s what we help do.” |

GW

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The GW Cancer Center (GWCC) was established in 2015 as an umbrella organization for all the cancer-related activities going on at GW. It leverages the George Washington University, the GW Medical Faculty Associates, and the GW Hospital to focus GW’s efforts on patient care and cancer research.

Directed by Eduardo M. Sotomayor, a professor of medicine, the GWCC is committed to its vision of creating a cancer-free world through groundbreaking research, innovative education, and equitable care for all. With the mission of driving transformational research, personalized therapy, family-centered care, and cancer policy from the nation’s capital, the center seeks to become the premier cancer care facility in the Washington, D.C., area and to earn a designation from the National Cancer Institute within 10 years.

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Cancer Center

­decision-making,” she says. “Pro-

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giving.gwu.edu

[Facilities | RESEARch]

Open-Air Study Harlan Trust supports campus greenhouse

Far above the bustling streets of Foggy Bottom, the new Wilbur V. Harlan Greenhouse is an oasis of green where

plants, flowers, grasses, and other vegetation thrive. Butterflies and their larvae also call the greenhouse on the

eighth floor of the Science and Engineering Hall home.

The state-of-the-art structure was built with funding

from the Harlan Trust, an endowed fund established by the estate of the late Wilbur “Bill” Harlan, BS ’35, who

received a degree in botany from GW and briefly served

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as a lab instructor in the department. At the advice of a

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former botany professor, Bill began his career teaching

English in Afghanistan, and went on to work for the U.S.

| By Joan Ochi

Students and faculty

continue to collaborate on what plants they’d like to see and we are constantly updating and curating our collections.

Biology is the study of living organisms, and in the greenhouse that’s exactly what we provide.” manager Rachel Klein, greenhouse Manager

Department of Agriculture and travel extensively in Asia,

source plant and insect samples for their work. The green-

established the Harlan Scholars program, which provides

revealed 3,100 seeds beginning to germinate. The flowers

Europe, and South and Central America. His bequest also undergraduate and graduate students scholarships and summer stipends to pursue their research interests.

Since opening in February 2017, the greenhouse has

become an integral part of the Biology Department and a valuable resource for faculty and students—including

Harlan Scholars—who use it to conduct research and to

house also serves the wider GW community—a recent visit will eventually be planted at the Washington Middle

School for Girls through a partnership with ArtReach at THEARC in Southeast Washington, D.C.

It seems an apt analogy to say that Bill Harlan’s gift

was a seed that has flourished into a space that is enhancing our study of the natural world and living things. |

GW

giving.gwu.edu

[Students | Veterans]

Home Away From Home Crowdfunding effort improves the Military Community Center

| By Amanda Charney

I want this center to be a

place of higher learning, intellectual conversation, and a home away from home with our members knowing they are always welcome.

Our members come from all walks of life. This center is designed to make them successful in the classroom and in life.”

Tyler Mcmanus

Before the Military Community Center opened in 2016, a few things

GW students donated more than five U-Haul trucks full of items like rugs, kitchenware, and plastic drawers to translators who aided the United States military in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

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were not quite in order.

“When we saw the space, we knew there was some work to be done

around the center. Painting walls, putting in new carpet, and running a network were some of these things that just are not cheap,” says Tyler

McManus, CCAS ’18, president of the GW Veterans student organization

and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. “Colonial Crowdfunding was the smartest option when it came to being able to afford these needed renovations.”

The successful student-driven fundraising effort raised $5,550

and paid for décor, electronics, and basic supplies that helped get the space ready to provide centralized services for military-affiliated students.

“In addition to providing formal resources, the center

would also serve as a space to promote community

among students, increase academic success, create an

informal home between classes for off-campus students,

and elevate GW’s standing as a leader in military-friendly schools.”

not exclusive to just veterans. We as an organization have members that are also dependents, ROTC, and general supporters with no military affiliation.” services.military.gwu.edu |

GW

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Tyler’s hope for the center is that it’s viewed as an

important location for all students. “Our organization is

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engagement, provide an inner network of support

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giving.gwu.edu

[STUDENTS | LEADERSHIP]

Outside the Lecture Hall Fund supports WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM STUDENTS Alexandra Gross, CCAS ’17, will never forget the energy she felt in the room while presenting her research at the 2017 Scientista

In the tradition of Mount Vernon

States came together to promote women in science, technology,

Program (WLP) is a selective, year-

engineering, math, and medicine,” she says.

But it was the impromptu meetings in the hallways where the

magic really happened. “Between inspirational talks, you get to network with different recruiters and researchers in these

fields that can help guide you toward potential internships or career choices,” she says.

The biology and psychology double-major traveled to

the Scientista Foundation event thanks to funds from the

Kimberly and J. Robert Humphries Fund in Support of the Elizabeth J. Somers Women’s Leadership Program (WLP).

Kimberly, BA ‘91, and Rob, JD ‘85, established the fund to enable WLP alumnae to participate in experiences that will enrich their academic and professional development.

As of press time, Alexandra is putting her new

skills to practice as a corps member with Teach for America.

| GW

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At the

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ABOUT WLP

Symposium at the Microsoft headquarters in New York City.

“Undergraduate and graduate women from all around the United

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| By Cassandra Zacharkiw

Scientista Symposium, I presented my research poster, went to many of the talks, and had an amazing time—what a great event to empower women in STEM!” Alexandra Gross

College, the Women’s Leadership

long living and learning program for freshmen women at GW. Students

who participate have the benefit of small classes, close contact with

faculty and women in leadership

roles, and strong community ties within the program.

On the Ground

giving.gwu.edu

[Students | STUDY ABROAD] Fund supports a GSPM study abroad program in South Africa Veronika Velch Kruglashova, GSPM ’18, recently completed a life-changing trip to South Africa, where she “wanted

to feel the spirit of the country, to see its tensions, and learn

intercultural communication in the field with the supervision

| By Cassandra Zacharkiw

The Juliet and Joshua Berkowitz, CCAS ’87, South

African Residency Fund supports the trip by defraying the costs of travel, housing, meals, and transportation.

“This trip helped me grow my global professional

of a great professor,” she says.

connections, understand how the South African political

Perspective Residencies, a study abroad program at the

diverse cultural and social environment,” Veronika says. |

That description pretty much sums up Global

Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) that pairs one month of online coursework on a country’s political

system and culture with one week of in-country advocacy work.

Dr. Christopher Arterton, founding dean and professor

of political management, led the South African program that took Veronika and 15 other classmates on a journey through Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town. They met with

political and business leaders and exchanged ideas with

regulatory, media, and activist forces. Students developed a

series of political and public affairs engagement campaigns, and the tools and strategies they learned while in South

Africa will continue to inform their efforts in future projects.

system operates, and learn how to advocate in such a

GW

Nelson Mandela inspired me to participate in

the South African residency. His ability to forgive after being imprisoned for 27 years was remarkable, he personified what it meant to be a leader. I wanted to immerse myself into the culture that birthed this great man.”

Nakeisha Burnett, GSPM ’19

G W I M PAC T FA L L 2 0 1 7 15

giving.gwu.edu

[FACULTY | RESEARch]

Level Playing Field

Center advances study, design, and implementation of competition law systems globally | By Joan Ochi Professor William (Bill) E. Kovacic wants to make

the CLC increase its research efforts, engagement and

markets.

topics related to competition law.

it easier for companies to compete fairly in global

Through GW Law’s Competition Law Center (CLC),

he aims to do that through research, collaboration

with competition agencies, and forums that engage academics, students, business

professionals, government officials,

education activities, and published works on major

Students are engaged in all of the CLC’s programs,

which offer opportunities for them to see how new institutions develop and how competition systems work.

judges, and practitioners in

GLOSSARY: CY PRES

issues.

phrase meaning “as near as”)

District Court for the District of

are settled and it is not possible

in 2008. GW Law alumnus Michael

ered to some or all of the class

discussion on competition-related A cy pres award from the U.S.

Cy pres (derived from a French awards result when class actions

Columbia established the center

to distribute the money recov-

Hausfeld, JD ‘69, was instrumental in

members. In these cases, the cy

helping the school secure the award, which subse-

quently has helped

pres doctrine allows these funds to be directed to a nonprofit charitable organization, in

Kovacic, the global competition

professor of law and policy, directs the CLC, which has also benefitted

his own research on how other competition systems are developing. He has worked in more than 40 countries, interviewing officials to gain

a global perspective on how they

develop cases and strategy, and how

their systems compare to the U.S. The CLC’s extensive research is reflected in a variety of papers and books.

| GW

support of work that indirectly

benefits the class and advances the public

G W I M PAC T

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interest.

16

Michael Hausfeld’s

energy and contribution on our behalf enabled us to obtain the $6 million grant that has established the foundation for our center. Without that kind of generosity and commitment, we would have a program that— while still wellrespected—could not have obtained the distinctive level of competence and made the contributions that we have made.”

Professor BIll Kovacic

giving.gwu.edu

[Students | SERVICES]

SIDE DISH

38,000+ meals served annually

160

days open

259

meals served daily

Generous Serving

Gift provides daily balanced breakfasts to student-athletes

| By Craig Burdick

In 2014, the NCAA lifted restrictions on what and

ing them a breakfast buffet conveniently located in the

That same year, former GW center fielder and current

start the day off well-fueled.”

how much schools could feed their student-athletes.

Trustee Avram “Ave” Tucker, BBA ’77, made a gift to the

[Charles E.] Smith Center, we’ve better ensured they will Because the Smith Center doesn’t have a full kitchen,

Lauren works with catering staff and the strength and

student-athletes.

can be easily prepared.

which supported Training Table breakfasts for Colonial Today, all 500 student-athletes have access to a

conditioning team to find tasty and nutritious food that “When we build out the menu, our goal is to include

several sources of lean protein, whole-grain carbohy-

dietician.

types of food recommended for a healthy athlete aren’t

Director of Sports Nutrition Lauren Trocchio, a registered “I love that we give our student-athletes breakfast,

since breakfast tends to be the meal many college stu-

dents (and adults) miss out on,” says Lauren. “Historically, by the time classes and practices happen, some athletes wouldn’t get a good meal until dinner time. By provid-

drates, healthy fats, dairy, and fruit,” explains Lauren. “The all that different than for your average healthy adult, but volume and timing become more important. Whether athletes hope to gain muscle mass, lose body fat, or

maintain, they can tailor their choices at Training Table to meet their needs.”

| GW

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balanced breakfast, with menu oversight provided by

G W I M PAC T

GW Department of Athletics and Recreation—a portion of

17

giving.gwu.edu

[Students | services]

A Little Goes a Long Way Voluntary library gift provides new chairs and services for GW’s libraries The voluntary library gift, a $50 donation from

including upholstered furniture at the libraries and modi­

services, resources, and spaces at Libraries and Academic

as a 24/7 study space for graduate students. The gift also

students each semester, allows for consistent funding of Innovation and supports ongoing improvements. The

fund is nearly 30 years old and shows student commit-

ment to improving a resource for everyone at the univer­

sity. Recently, the gift helped fund tangible improvements,

fications required to open the Global Resources Center helped fund student jobs in the libraries, purchases of

specialized software, and the Top Textbooks program,

which makes expensive textbooks for select high-enrollment courses available via loan to all students.

| GW

BEFORE

Voluntary library funding has supported: • 24/7 study space for graduate students • student jobs in the libraries

g

• the Top Textbooks program

G W I M PAC T

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g

By October 2015, the much-loved club chairs throughout Gelman were past the end of their lifecycle. Only about 10 years old, they had already been reupholstered twice and needed another round. Voluntary library gift funds allowed the libraries to replace these with new chairs.

18

AFTER

• new software and technology

Immediate Impact GW Legacy Challenge puts MATCHING dollars to use right now

TESTIMONIALS FROM GW LEGACY CHALLENGE DONORS

“Giving to Power & Promise in the past allowed us to help

giving.gwu.edu

[Planned giving]

students follow their academic dreams. However, for the Leg-

acy Challenge, we directed our matching funds to The Store,

GW’s on-campus food pantry. If

By Margaret Battey

Planned giving donors rarely expect to see the effects of

their philanthropy. For years

and years, the idea has been the same: Donors provide future gifts for charities

through their wills, trusts, and other estate plans.

However, that

all changed for

four months on

February 1, 2017, when the George Washington University launched its

GW Legacy Challenge, an innovative fundraising initiative that provided

a 10 percent cash match for donors who made new or increased planned gift commitments to GW. The matching pool was created by a generous group of GW alumni and friends who donated outright funds.

“We learned of the concept from our friends at several other non-

profit organizations, but didn’t know of any universities that had done it,”

explains GW’s Director of Planned Giving Courtney L. Tsai. “We found that

the extra match dollars offered a great incentive for donors to inform us of their planned gifts and it was a great success.”

By June 1, more than 50 GW Legacy Challenge donors had

documented $11.2 million in new planned gifts—double the amount of planned gifts typically received by the university during a similar

While these planned gifts will have a significant impact on students

and schools in the future, the GW Legacy Challenge distributed more than $336,000 in funding to causes and

for Spirituality and Health and GWTeach to multiple endowed scholarships and

fellowships and many individual schools’ Power & Promise funds.

| GW

not going to be successful in the classroom. The Store is one way

as alumni and donors we can help

these students succeed inside and

outside of the classroom. While our planned gift will impact GW many decades in the future, the matching funds allowed us to make an impact today.”

Seth Weinshel, BBA ’00, MTA ’00, and his wife, Kristy, BBA ‘00, MBA ‘08, directed their matching gift to The Store, GW’s on-campus food pantry.

“|ank you for all your help

If you are interested in becoming a lead donor for a future GW Legacy Challenge, please contact Courtney Tsai at courtneytsai@gwu.edu or 202-994-8144.

to be able to take advantage on

behalf of the fund of the opportunity provided by the university.”

Bell J. Clement, CCAS PhD ’14, directed her matching funds to the Julian Clement Chase Endowment Fund.

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across the university, from the Institute

because they can’t afford it, they’re

in facilitating this. We are grateful

purposes that donors care about now.

Matching funds were allocated widely

their next meal is coming from

G W I M PAC T

timeframe.

a student is worried about where

19

giving.gwu.edu

[GIVING OPPORTUNITIES]

Proved Innocent

GW Law AND THE MID-ATLANTIC INNOCENCE PROJECT HELP exonerate wrongly incarcerated individuals | By Monica Dutia GW students and local attorneys work together

Seven years later, on September 19, Lamar was led into

prevent and correct convictions of innocent people.

Corngold, JD ‘17, Sophia Herbst, BA ‘14, and Ben Flick,

through the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP) to MAIP, a member of the global Innocence Network,

is housed in GW Law and serves D.C., Maryland, and

Virginia, offering hope for those who have nowhere to

turn. Convicted of terrible crimes and ignored by society

done research to get him resettled.

“Working at MAIP was the most rewarding experience

the hard work of students, volunteers, and a committed

bel. “The feeling of getting to see Lamar walk out a door

has helped secure the release or exoneration of 25 men since the initiative began in 2000.

This September, one of MAIP’s clients, Lamar Johnson,

was exonerated after 13 years behind bars and two failed appeals. He was wrongly convicted of a shooting in

2004 and served six years before MAIP took on the case.

Lamar’s case was of particular

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‘19, drafted and helped prepare the pleadings, and have

I had in law school, and I’m extremely excited to be able

staff, MAIP represents convicted felons free of charge and

G W I M PAC T

JD ‘14, investigated, and Isabel and Katelyn Young, ESIA

despite their innocence, many incarcerated individuals

have never had competent legal representation. Through

20

a Baltimore courtroom and released. GW students Isabel

importance to me because it was my first case assigned to me on my first day of the externship. He was the first client I went to visit in prison, and I got to work on his case for over two years.”

Isabel Corngold From left: Lamar Johnson, Katelyn Young, ESIA ‘19, and Isabel Corngold, JD ‘17, share a moment following Lamar’s release on September 19.

to continue my work here now as a legal fellow,” says Isaand then get to shake his hand is something I will hold onto for the rest of my legal career.”

Gifts to MAIP support fellowships for GW Law

students with an interest in casework and a passion for

justice, as well as operating costs for the organization’s office on campus. go.gwu.edu/give2maip

| GW

The Power of Storytelling

giving.gwu.edu

[GIVING OPPORTUNITIES] GW partners with global campaign that promotes girls’ education and empowerment | By Joan Ochi In India, Ruksana’s family lives on the streets, but her father has sacrificed everything to send his

daughters to school. Ruksana’s life is filled with danger, but she es-

capes into her artwork and draws

strength from her father’s resolve.

In Ethiopia, 13-year-old Azmera

is told she must marry, but with

her brother’s support, she says no.

Instead, Azmera is pursuing her

dream to become a teacher and a

community leader, working against child marriage and helping other

The Girl Rising internship

allowed me to gain the hands-on experience I need to pursue my interests in working in India on genderbased violence, inequalities, and diseases. This experience has not only changed my life, but it has also clarified how to translate my passion for girls and women into pragmatic action.”

Gayatri Malhotra, Milken SPH ’19

who lent their talents to give voice to these stories.

As Girl Rising’s academic part-

ner, GW and Milken Institute School of Public Health Associate Professor Amita Vyas and her team amplify

this inspirational campaign through

research, training, events, advocacy, and on-the ground programs.

“For girls, adolescence is a time

of great vulnerability and an ideal point to leverage development

efforts,” she says. “However, despite the countless organizations provid-

adolescent girls who aren’t able to attend school.

ing health care, education, and other resources, millions

women whose experiences have been brought to

only flourish if we ensure that they actually make it in the

Ruksana and Azmera are two of the amazing young

life—and the big screen—through Girl Rising. The global

campaign for girls’ education and empowerment uses the power of storytelling and media to change how people

think about and value girls and girls’ education. The origi-

of girls are not able to access these resources. Efforts will door. Storytelling is helping us change how girls are val-

ued so people see the impact of educating and keeping a girl healthy.”

Gifts to GW’s Girl Rising program advance this world-

nal film, which debuted in 2013, features nine unforgetta-

changing work in a variety of ways. Students will work on

circumstance and overcoming tough odds to achieve

NGOs around the world, promote Girl Rising campaigns,

ble tales of girls in the developing world, striving beyond their dreams. Alicia Keys, Salma Hayek, Priyanka Chopra,

and Meryl Streep are among the many leading actresses

the production of new Girl Rising stories, travel to partner and help translate tools into additional languages. go.gwu.edu/give2girlrising

| GW

Why is Girl Rising so important?

• Just 39% of rural girls attend secondary school (UN Women)

• With each additional year of a mother’s education, the probability of infant mortality drops by 5-10% (USAID, 2015)

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Gayatri Malhotra (in floral print) with students at a government school in rural Punjab.

• Each extra year of secondary school can help a girl increase her future earnings by 10-20% (USAID, 2015)

G W I M PAC T

• 13.5 million children (most of them girls) will be married before they turn 18 (UNFPA, 2015)

21

giving.gwu.edu

[Why I give]

Good

Fortune When Sandra (Sandy) Switzer Sieber, MPA ’81, looks back on her time at GW, she remembers it fondly. It

brought about new possibilities outside of her existing

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Development Center in 1972. Sandy eventually worked her way to becoming a Navy contracting intern.

Sandy and her husband, Charles William Sieber,

roles as a wife, mother, and professional.

recently established the Malvinia Helen Lavich Switzer

successfully obtained the next promotion but rose to

need-based scholarship for an undergraduate student in

“[Through earning a master’s degree], I not only

22

GWSB alumna starts a needs-based scholarship for children of military parents | By Monica Dutia

the level of the Senior Executive Service,” Sandy says. “I think I was a good example for my daughter and was a

happier person being able to work to my full capability.”

Sandy retired as the first director of the Army Contracting agency after 34 years of government service.

Sandy’s relationship with GW started when she began

pursuing a degree in public administration while working

as a contracting intern at the Naval Air Systems Command

and Leonard Tway Switzer Jr. Memorial Scholarship, a

the School of Business with a parent who is or was in the

U.S. Armed Forces. Sandy’s parents served in the Navy for

nearly 30 collective years, so it was important to her to help students whose parents were also serving the country.

Sandy created the scholarship because she feels fortu-

nate to have parents willing and able to provide her with a college education, but many others are less fortunate.

“It is so critical for success in the world today to get a

in 1976. After receiving a bachelor of science in physical

good education,” she says. “My hope is that [the recipient]

she became a secretary for the Naval Ship Research and

degree to completion in that field.”

education in 1969 and a brief teaching stint post-college,

will find their passion while attending GW and pursue a | GW

giving.gwu.edu

[Why I give]

Career Development GW Alumnus Find his passion through THE PRESIDENTIAL FELLOWSHIP | By Lauren Savoy, MA ’15

“I would not be where I am today in

academic, professional, and personal

tial Fellowship program and its strong

1989, the program has graduated 135

my career if it weren’t for the Presidenalumni network,” says Eric Thibault, CCAS BA ’11, MPA ’13, and former Presidential Administrative Fellow

(PAF). The professional development

and leadership opportunities available

involvement. Since its founding in

students in nearly every discipline,

ranging from global communication

and public administration and policy

to museum studies and public health.

As they move onto successful

to him through the prestigious Pres-

careers, Presidential Fellows often stay

to his true passion—helping people

university throughout their careers

idential Fellowship program led him grow in their careers. He is currently a

talent management lead at the Appian Corporation, where he is responsible for creating and implementing the company’s talent strategy.

The Presidential Fellowship pro-

gram offers high-performing seniors a master’s degree in return for a

two-year commitment working within university departments and serving as GW ambassadors through their

PRESIDENTIAL FELLOWSHIP ALUMNI GENEROSITY In fiscal year 2017...

70% volunteered with the program and the university, including attending networking events 46% made a gift to GW

committed to the program and the through philanthropic giving and volunteering.

“I consistently give to the profes-

sional and academic development

fund,” Eric says. “The opportunities

made available with that money set

this program apart from other fellowships. They set you apart as a candi-

date during interviews and continue to be a professional accelerator in the early stages of your career.”

| GW

No gift is too small.

Collectively, we can make a big impact. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I was able to attend GW thanks to generous scholarships from our alumni. Without them, I would not be where I am today.” ’13

Eric Thibault

Eric (second from right) with a group of Presidential Fellows at a Trachtenberg School Fall Ball.

G W I M PAC T FA L L 2 0 1 7 23

giving.gwu.edu

[PHOTO FINISH]

All Together Now GW hosted Colonials Weekend October 19-22, 2017, bringing thousands of alumni, families, students, and friends to campus. On Thursday night, eight alumni

received the Alumni Achievement Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate by the university

and the George Washington Alumni Association. The

weekend continued with a kickoff party; Colonial Madness in celebration of the basketball season; Taste of GW,

featuring GW alumni-owned and -operated businesses; deans’ receptions; class reunions; a jazz brunch; and

many more educational and social events. Watch a short

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highlights video at go.gwu.edu/cw2017.

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| GW

Division of Development and Alumni Relations 2033 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20052

for Being a Friend to GW You’re more than a friend, you’re family. While we can’t cook Thanksgiving dinner for you, we did the next best thing (or maybe the next best thing after that)—we curated a gratitude playlist specially for you.

Listen to your playlist at go.gwu.edu/ThanksForGiving.

Your heart is true.

You’re a pal and a confidant.