Impact - Summer 2015

Impact

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

A MAKING HISTORY PUBLICATION

•

SUMMER 2015

Hands-on

HISTORY

Impact

A CULTURE OF ­PHILANTHROPY

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY A MAKING HISTORY PUBLICATION

Dear GW community, A year has passed since the public launch of Making History: The Campaign for GW. During that time, we saw game-changing and life-altering gifts to support our students, faculty, research, and campus.

Moreover, we watched the George Washington University community strengthen and enhance its commitment to GW’s success, prominence, and impact on the world and its citizens.

This year, GW students gave back in amazing ways. In particular, we are thrilled that more than 60 percent of 2015 graduating seniors participated in the Senior Class Gift, which reached a new record of $128,000! We also launched our very first GW Flag Day, a university-wide day of giving, on April 8 to raise awareness about the Campaign and bring fun activities around philanthropy to campus. More than 600 students rose to the GW Flag Day challenge and made gifts, unlocking a $5,000 donation to student life from an anonymous donor.

These events reflect our community’s dedication to supporting students, enhancing academics, and breaking new ground at GW. More importantly, they underscore the fact that all gifts, regardless of amount, can make a difference. Within these pages, you can read stories about gifts that have changed the lives of students and faculty, and, ultimately, contributed to the greater good of our society.

Take our cover subject April Bryan, MA ’15, (pg. 10) whose GW fellowship led her to curate exhibits at the newly opened George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, a new destination for scholarship and discovery on campus. Or Professor Volker Sorger (pg 8), whose research will be enhanced by much-needed equipment installed in Science and Engineering Hall, which also opened for classes and research this year.

Making History is not just about reaching a financial goal; it’s about sustaining and enhancing a culture of philanthropy at GW that will benefit generations to come. As we continue our journey through the Campaign, Impact magazine will share stories of generous giving, grateful recipients, and donors like you.

Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, your ideas, and your stories with us.

Thank you for your dedication to the Campaign, and for all you do for our great university.

I look forward to many new opportunities and continued collaboration with you in the year ahead. Together, we are Making History. GW Best wishes,

Aristide J. Collins Jr. Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations The George Washington University

Impact | SUMMER 2015

EDITOR: W. Gray Turner, MPS ’11 PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY: Steven Knapp VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS: Aristide J. Collins Jr. SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS: Patricia Danver PHOTOGRAPHERS: William Atkins Dave Scavone 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.

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.

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

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

Cover photo: Chris McGuire

Do you have questions, comments, or suggestions?

Contact us at gwimpact@gwu.edu.

SUMMER 2015

CONTENTS FEATURES

10 COVER STORY:

HANDS-ON

HISTORY 16 CHANGE IS IN THE AIR DEPARTMENTS

2 NEWS 4 CAMPAIGN PILLARS Support Students Enhance Academics Break New Ground

20 RAISE HIGH FIVE 22 EVENTS ROUNDUP

NEWS

FOUR FACULTY ­INSTALLATIONS ­ENHANCE GW ­ACADEMICS What do one of the most distinguished academics in the field of health policy; a race, labor, and politics historian; a leader in cardiovascular disease research; and a neuro­scientist all have in ­common? Each was installed in a prestigious endowed position at GW this year: • Lynn Goldman— Michael and Lori Milken Dean of Public Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health • Eric Arnesen— James R. Hoffa Teamsters Professor in Modern American Labor History

$7M GIFT ESTABLISHES HISPANIC LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AT GW aspirations to give back to the Hispanic Gil Cisneros, BA ‘94, and his wife, Jacki, have donated $7 million to create the GW ­community. The institute will also offer a preCisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute. The college program to high school juniors, with institute will provide scholarships to select plus-factor consideration given to students of GW students who demonstrate Hispanic heritage who are comLearn more about this a commitment to leadership and history-making gift at ­ mitted to leadership and service go.gwu.edu/CisnerosHLI community service and have within the Hispanic community.

æ

ATHLETICS ROUNDUP It was a big spring for the Colonials, and not just in competition: GW Athletics raised more than $80,000 as part of the first annual Buff & Blue Fund ­Challenge; Gymnastics alumni, Check the full parents, and friends honored a scorecard at go.gwu.edu/Impact coaching legend; and GW’s newAthleticsRoundup est fleet hit the water for the first time. In response, GW’s student-athletes stepped up to place more than 700 calls and write nearly 1,000 thank you cards to GW Athletics donors in April.

• Igor Efimov— Alisann and Terry Collins Professor of Biomedical ­Engineering

æ

• Robert H. Miller— Vivian Gill Distinguished Research Professor Endowed positions are the highest honor ­bestowed upon ­faculty and help to bolster research and academic opportunities at GW and its schools and programs.

æ

Read more about the ­faculty installed in ­endowed positions this spring at go.gwu.edu/ Spring15Installations

2 Impact | SUMMER 2015

LUTHER BRADY AWARDED PRESIDENT’S MEDAL GW alumnus and emeritus trustee Luther Brady, AA ’44, BA ’46, MD ’48, received the President’s Medal—the highest honor the university president can bestow—at a special Commencement-eve ceremony. A longtime GW volunteer and donor, Dr. Brady said the President’s Medal represents a high point in his life and that he was happy to share the honor with those who have supported Get the complete his passion for the arts and endeavors story at go.gwu. edu/Brady Medal in medicine.

æ

Luther Brady

æ Visit gwimpact.org for more Impact news and stories.

The grant will make PLM design and d­ evelopment software a­ vailable to SEAS students.

FIRST ADOPT-A-DOC SCHOLAR GRADUATES

GW RECEIVES $30M SOFTWARE GRANT FROM SIEMENS

æ

Discover more about this groundbreaking partnership at go.gwu.edu/ SiemensPLM

George Washington University engineering ­students will have access to the same design tools used throughout the global manufacturing industry, thanks to a $30 million grant in software licenses from ­Siemens. GW’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) will incorporate the Siemens product lifecycle management (PLM) software into student course work and research related to computer-aided design, engineering simulation, creative engineering design, digital manufacturing, and manufacturing management.

Four years ago, Allison Hoff, MD ’15, became GW’s first recipient of an Adopta-Doc scholarship, a unique initiative that provides alumni and friends the opportunity to support incoming students throughout all four years of medical school. This May, Allison graduated from the School of Medicine & Health Sciences and received the Doctor of Medicine hood from her scholarship donor turned mentor and role model, Russell Libby, MD ’79.

æ

Read more about Allison Hoff and Dr. Libby at go.gwu.edu/Hoff

GW MAKES HISTORY WITH NEW HUBS OF RESEARCH AND CULTURE IN D.C. Made up of the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection of 18thand 19th-century D.C. ephemera and the world-renowned collections of The Textile Museum, the new George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

is already a destination for scholars and culture buffs alike. The custombuilt museum opened in March, just

æ

Learn more about these new buildings and the amazing things happening inside of them at go.gwu.edu/ ImpactNews

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum

weeks after the official dedication of GW’s Science & Engineering Hall (SEH). SEH, which opened its doors for classes and researchers in January, is the largest academic building dedicated to science and engineering in the nation’s capital.

Science & Engineering Hall (SEH)

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

3

SUPPORT STUDENTS

CAMPAIGN PILLARS

4 Impact | SUMMER 2015

“

I’m GONNA THROW EVERYTHING

I CAN AT YOU. IT’S YOUR JOB TO HIT IT. IF NOT, SIT DOWN.”

When he’s on the mound, Colonials pitcher Brandon Ritchie, class of 2017, has one thing on his mind—throwing his best stuff to get the batter out. He’s not worried about superstitions or his future as a doctor or the presidential motorcade that made him late to class that morning. Both on and off the field, Brandon doesn’t have to worry about the financial burden of being a student-athlete either, thanks to the Schley Family Scholarship for Baseball.

Read his story at go.gwu.edu/brandonritchie.

PHOTO: MITCHELL LAYTON

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

5

ENHANCE ACADEMICS

CAMPAIGN PILLARS

6 Impact | SUMMER 2015

“

We’re SENDING PROBES TO

OUTER SPACE TO FIND WHAT KINDS OF LIFE FORMS MAY BE OUT THERE. BUT WE HAVE A RELATIVELY POOR ­ UNDERSTANDING OF DIVERSITY ON EARTH.” GW biologist Gustavo Hormiga has spent years untangling the mysteries of spider webs and what they can tell us about evolution. Faculty like Dr. Hormiga are able to teach, mentor, and inspire GW students thanks to the support of endowed professorships. Read more about the unique expertise Columbian College Professor Gustavo Hormiga, the Ruth Weintraub Professor of Biology Systematics and Evolutionary Biology, brings to GW and its students at go.gwu.edu/ untanglingtheweb.

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

7

BREAK NEW GROUND

CAMPAIGN PILLARS

8 Impact | SUMMER 2015

“

That MEANS IN ABOUT

10 YEARS THE SHOW IS OVER.”

No, this scientist isn’t plotting world domination, just how to further bypass the understood laws of physics to better feed our need for energy. SEAS Professor Volker Sorger and his colleagues are using SEH facilities like the nanofabrication lab and imaging suite—made available thanks to donations and corporate partnerships—to bend light farther than it’s meant to, revolutionize how computers operate, and so much more. Read more about their groundbreaking work at go.gwu.edu/breakingtherules.

PHOTO: WILLIAM ATKINS

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

9

Hands-on

HISTORY

by W. Gray Turner

With her future at GW in question, museum studies graduate student April Bryan nearly had to forgo two incredible internships and the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to help curate two of the inaugural exhibits in the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. That’s when a letter, and the gamechanging fellowship that came with it, arrived in the mail.

10 Impact | SUMMER 2015

PHOTOS OF APRIL BRYAN BY CHRIS MCGUIRE

11

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

It

was a daunting request:

build a seat of power for a new nation.

That was the momentous task Pierre Charles L’Enfant was charged with by George Washington in 1792. The French-born architect had to envision a new capital for the young nation from a swath of private properties and plantations at the confluences of the Potomac River and the Eastern Branch (the Anacostia River). The result was a newborn city of political compromise and artistic imagination: Washington, D.C. A little more than 70 years after L’Enfant began his plan for Washington, the capital was forced to undergo remarkable change as a result of the American Civil War. From the moment the first shots were fired on Fort Sumter through the beginning of Reconstruction, the city underwent a tremendous transformation, not only physically but also politically.

This birth and troublesome adolescence of our ­nation’s capital are explored in two of the inaugural exhibits of GW’s newly opened George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum: Seat of Empire: Planning Washington, 1790-1801 and The Civil War and the Making of Modern Washington.

As President George Washington charged Peter L’Enfant with the task of building the capital, so did the George Washington University charge a select group of its students with the task of assisting in the creation of the two exhibits that tell the tale of the city’s conception and the first steps in its evolution into what would come to be known as the world’s most powerful city.

The ­experience of creating a museum exhibit with rare source materials—including original maps, prints, illustrations, and even personal letters—was an incredible April Bryan at the Kalamazoo opportunity for students like April Bryan, MA ’15, a Valley Museum 2015 graduate of the Museum Studies Program in GW’s ­Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

This once-in-a-lifetime chance to work on the new museum’s first exhibitions was one of the many “only at GW” experiences April almost didn’t get to embrace.

A first generation college graduate, April was preparing to put her enrollment in GW’s Museum Studies Program on hold when she received an unexpected letter from the Columbian College in 2014. Found amongst a pile of everyday mail—“the kind stacked with bills and credit card offers,” she says—the letter grabbed her ­attention immediately. April opened it on the spot and discovered that she was the recipient of the Lambert Graduate Fellowship in Arts and Sciences.

“As I read that I would be receiving this academic fellowship, my eyes welled with tears and I began to cry right there in the post office,” she remembers. “When I looked up from the letter, I saw a sea of smiling faces around me. Turns out I was smiling, too!”

April was in a tough spot financially when she received word of the fellowship. In addition to being a working student, she had the responsibility of providing care and support for her mother, which made April unsure if she could afford the time off work to tackle two required internships that academic year.

“My loved ones knew what a difficult situation I was in, so it was a true joy to share the news with them,” April remembers. “Receiving the fellowship helped

12 Impact | SUMMER 2015

“Receiving the fellowship helped fund spectacular internships that I wouldn’t have been able to participate in otherwise.”

fund spectacular internships that I wouldn’t have been able to participate in otherwise.”

Thanks to the Lambert Fellowship, April was able to pursue an internship at the National Park Service (NPS) Museum Resource Center, where she facili­tated a ­ total inventory of the Ford’s Theatre collection; ­created a small, historic doll show; cataloged 500 objects left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and assisted with the development and facilitation of the National Park Service’s and GW’s joint sympo­ sium, “Co-Creating Narratives in Public Spaces” last October.

“April brought an inspiring level of dedication and enthusiasm to even the most daunting tasks at hand,” says Ashley Intemann, a museum technician with NPS who worked with April during her internship. “April’s attention to detail was essential to the team, and her researching skills and knowledge proved to be an

i­ncredible asset. I know that she will do great things for the museum field!”

April also interned at the Smithsonian’s National ­Museum of American History and worked on the ­National Air and Space Museum’s Satellite Eyes exhibition as part of a GW Museum Exhibit Design course.

None of these important experiences would have been possible, April says, if she hadn’t received the fellowship and been able to continue her education at GW.

The Road to Washington

Written in the Stars

April and her close friend, Sam McLaren, MA ’14, were in class together when their professor described museum studies at GW as one of the top programs in the country. Both were so impressed with the outstanding GW programs described that they simultaneously circled and starred “GW” in their class notes.

Today, Sam and April have both earned master’s degrees from GW: Sam, a Master of Arts in Teaching from GW’s Museum Education Program in 2014; April, a Master of Arts in Museum Studies this past May. “Sam and I simply couldn’t imagine ourselves pursuing our graduate studies anywhere but at GW,” says April, who adds that both she and Sam still have the notes they took that first day of class with stars and circles around “GW”.

For April Bryan, receiving the Lambert Fellowship meant that she could fulfill her dream of earning a master’s degree from GW’s illustrious Museum Studies Program, an aspiration that began when she was an undergraduate at Western Michigan University. After a professor classified GW’s program as one of the finest in the country, April conducted some research of her own and reached out to students in the program to learn more.

“I discovered that GW had relevant courses, strong and established networks in our field, and professors who are respected, active members of the museum community,” she says. “I knew I had found the right ­program for me.”

The reputation of GW’s program was known outside of academic circles as well.

April was working as an interpretation specialist at Kalamazoo Valley Museum (KVM) in Kalamazoo, ­Michigan, on the day she received word that she had been accepted into GW’s Museum Studies Program. She vividly ­recalls KVM’s Assistant Director for Collections and Exhibitions Paula Metzner saying with a sparkle in her eyes, “Wow, April. GW is the Ivy League of museum studies. Congratulations!”

“I respected Paula’s opinion so much that her vote of confidence only encouraged me more to do everything possible to make the dream of attending GW a reality,” April says. “Sadly, Paula passed away in December, but I will remain ever grateful for the contribution she made to my academic and professional journey, and my life, by encouraging me to pursue museum studies at GW.” KVM was April’s first professional museum experience after completing her bachelor’s degree, and she credits her colleagues there with teaching her the value of asking open-ended questions to encourage visitor wonder and investigation, as well as how meaning exists in the process of each individual’s museum experiences, lessons further developed by GW Museum Studies Program coursework and internships, she says.

“The curators and fellow specialists at KMV helped me recognize the ­importance of listening to all voices in the museum, no matter what role they play, for their voices echo the needs, hopes, and dreams of the communities that we serve,” April says. “All of these experiences helped me choose the exhibition development concentration in the GW Museum Studies P ­ rogram and served as a strong foundation as I entered the program.

“I will be forever grateful to my KVM family for helping prepare me for success in GW’s Museum Studies Program and onward.”

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

13

Typically Untypical When the new George Washington University ­Museum and The Textile Museum opened in March, thousands of students, professors, researchers, supporters, and art and history enthusiasts flocked to the new building for a first look at its incredible collections.

Washington, D.C’s newest cultural destination, the museum joins the expansive collections and h ­ istory of The Textile Museum with the Albert H. Small – George Washington University Washingtoniana ­ Collection, an unparalleled treasure trove of rare maps, drawings, letters and documents, lithographs, and books relating to the history and evolution of the city of Washington and the nation’s capital.

Since Albert H. Small donated his Washingtoniana collection to the university in 2011, GW students and faculty have studied its pieces to gain a unique look at the history of the nation’s capital.

“The Washingtoniana Collection offers outstanding opportunities for students to work on real-life projects and engage with professional curators,” says Professor of Museum Studies Barbara Brennan, MFA ’98, who has taught three courses where students have used the collection.

In preparation for the museum’s opening, April Bryan worked as an assistant to the project manager that simultaneously led the development of Seat of Empire and The Civil War and the Making of Modern An early map of D.C. in The Civil War Washington, the museum’s two and the Making of inaugural exhibitions that used M ­ odern Washington. the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection.

April organized, updated, and helped copyedit both exhibition scripts; collaborated with the design teams; and was integral in the research, proposal, and procurement of digital assets needed to support show pieces and help tell the exhibition stories.

“April was a unique combination of intellectually curious student and museum professional,” says Professor Brennan, who April Bryan helped curate had April as both a student in the new museum’s first her exhibit design class and latWashingtoniana exhibits. er as a research assistant working on Seat of Empire and The

14 Impact | SUMMER 2015

April Bryan at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Civil War and the Making of Modern Washington.

“I could always count on her ­ being engaged, ­enthusiastic, and dependable in her work, which was important to the curation of these two ­inaugural exhibitions.”

April’s final year at GW was marked with handson experiences that many young museum professionals could only dream of: internships with the Smithsonian and the National Park ­Service Museum Research Center, as well as working on

The Lambert Graduate Fellowship in Arts and Sciences The Lambert Graduate Fellowship Fund was established by Trustee Emeritus Eugene I. Lambert, AA ’55, BA ’57, in honor of his parents, Joseph and Vivian Lambert, to support a continuing graduate student who is at risk of leaving the university due to financial hardship.

In addition to serving on the GW Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2006, Gene Lambert was a former president of the GW Alumni Association and a founding as well as emeritus member of the Columbian College’s National Council for the Arts and Sciences. At the time of his passing in 2013, he was chair of the Heritage Society, a special recognition society that honors donors who support GW with a planned gift.

two inaugural exhibitions for a new museum.

While these types of experiences may be untypical for many students around the country, they’re the hallmark of the GW experience. However, many GW ­students—April included—would not have the ability to take advantage of these typically untypical opportunities without the scholarship and fellowship support of GW donors.

“Receiving this fellowship allowed me to take my mind off of my financial ­concerns, keep my mind on my studies, and embrace some truly incredible experiences,” says April. “The fellowship made it possible to continue, without pause, my GW academic journey and helped pave the way to graduation.”

After completing her program and earning a Master of Arts in Museum Studies this May, April is already anxious to put her newly-minted degree to work.

“I am thrilled by the chance to apply the skills and experiences I developed and nurtured at GW and through the Museum Studies Program,” April says.

“The gift of the Lambert Fellowship helped make the dream of becoming a curator possible and will help me touch the lives of visitors of all ages and learning styles for the rest of my life and career.” GW MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

15

How Engineering Fellowships Are Transforming How We See the World

CHANGE IS IN THE

AIR

By Carey Russell and W. Gray Turner

“T

his is Atlas Mission Control at T-minus 10…9…8…”

As the countdown reached zero, the engine of the ­Atlas V 501 rocket rumbled to life, igniting into a ­column of fire that propelled the rocket slowly off its launch pad. Powered by over 860,000 lbs. of thrust, the sleek, white rocket quickly accelerated towards space, leaving behind an exhaust plume that billowed out across Cape Canaveral.

Packed neatly in the rocket’s payload were the cutting-edge nanosatellite thrusters designed and built by Joseph Lukas, a PhD candidate in aerospace engineering at GW’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS). With the successful launch of the Atlas V rocket on May 20, Joseph and his team in the Micropropulsion and Nanotechnology Lab—including fellow doctoral student George Teel, MS ’14, and Professor Michael Keidar—­became the first GW team to send their technology into space.

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

17

“I want to change the way that you see the world.”

That was Joseph’s message at the 2015 Power & Promise Celebration on March 27. As one of the event’s four keynote speakers, he told his fellow scholarship and fellowship recipients and their donors about the impact receiving a scholarship has had on his life and thanked Doug Jones for his generosity. “[Dr. Jones] because of you, I am actually achieving a childhood dream of mine, and I really can’t thank you enough,” Joseph said.

æ

Watch Joseph and the other speakers from the 2015 Power & Promise ­ elebration at go.gwu.edu/PPC2015 C

“At universities with aerospace engineering, it’s a complete rarity to send your work into space,” Joseph says, “and all of this is happening because I came to GW.” The Ballistically Reinforced Communication Satellite–Propulsion Test Unit (BRICSat-P) was among the 10 CubeSats—a type of miniaturized satellite for space research— deployed into low-Earth orbit after the launch. BRICSat-P’s primary mission was to study the performance of miniature pulse plasma thrusters developed by Joseph and his team. The satellite is performing successfully and already transmitting data to the team’s partners at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Joseph says his research at GW and the ability to send a satellite into space, a childhood dream, was made possible because he received the Douglas L. Jones Endowed Mechanical Engineering Graduate Fellowship.

“The experience of going from a concept to having the thrusters I’ve built with my own hands being placed in space is an aerospace engineer’s dream come true,” he says. “I have my scholarship to thank for allowing me to go the extra mile to get where I am now, as well as where I will end up in the future.”

In addition to his work for the launch, Joseph —Joseph Lukas has maintained a 4.0 GPA while preparing for his dissertation. He also teaches a class on propulsion, an opportunity made possible because of his fellowship. “I enjoy teaching and helping people change the way they see the world,” he explains. “I want to apply this when I become a professor, how I can reach people differently.”

The research and teaching opportunities that Joseph has been able to embrace at GW is thanks in no small part to Doug Jones, BME ’63, MS ’65, DSc ’70, a SEAS alum who’s been affiliated with the school for more than 50 years and established Joseph’s fellowship in 2002.

A fellow engineer, Doug began his journey at GW as a part-time undergraduate student while working as a machinist at the Navy Yard. He earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees Joseph from SEAS before joining his former instructors as a member Lukas at the 2015 Power of the school’s faculty, rising through the professional ranks, & Promise ultimately serving as the associate dean for academic affairs Celebration before retiring in 2004 as professor emeritus of engineering and applied science.

Among his many contributions to GW, Doug directed more than 25 master’s theses and doctoral dissertations; co-­ authored an engineering textbook, dozens of journal articles, and conference proceedings; and helped establish a computer-aided design program in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. In 2002, he took his ­ commitment to GW to a new level, establishing the Douglas L. Jones Graduate Fellowship to provide tuition assistance for graduate students like Joseph Lukas who are studying mechanical ­engineering.

“All of this is happening because I came to GW.”

Doug Jones, BME ’63, MS ’65, DSc ’70, and his wife, Mary, with Joseph Lukas in Science & Engineering Hall this spring.

Doug knows firsthand the impact a fellowship can have on a student. After completing his under­ graduate degree, Doug received a letter from thenSEAS Dean Martin A. Mason letting him know he was eligible for a pre-doctoral fellowship established by NASA at GW. “If I hadn’t gotten that fellowship, I likely wouldn’t even have gotten a master’s,” Doug remembers, “so it was very significant in my professional development.”

Recently, Doug was able to meet Joseph in person for the first time. The two swapped machine shop ­stories, discussed Joseph’s upcoming international conference presentations, and shared their experiences as the first class to occupy new buildings: J­oseph in Science and Engineering Hall and Doug in Tompkins Hall, the previous home of SEAS.

“Getting a scholarship to study what I love is a dream come true,” Joseph told Doug. “Thanks to you, I can really focus on my research when I truly needed it most.”

As Joseph prepares for a second satellite launch later this year, Doug is immersed in a mission of his own: bringing the brightest students to GW and strengthening the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department.

With his storied history at GW as a student, educator, and administrator, Doug knows that securing further graduate fellowships is instrumental to achieving this goal. A single fellowship might not be enough to change the department, he says, but 10 could really make an impact on the department and its students.

He hopes that his fellowship and the impact it’s already had will inspire others into launching additional graduate fellowships to recruit and support students like Joseph Lukas.

“I’ve always felt that our department could be very strong if we had 10 fellowships like mine,” Doug explains. “If we could do that, then each one of those could be instrumental in helping a really bright student come to GW. I hope that my choice can help lead the way by example.” GW

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

19

RAISE high

FIVE Each year, members of the GW community

support the programs, funds, and initiatives that help our

GWupstart helps students hone business plans and prepares them to present to potential investors.

“GWupstart helps students create effective solutions to the most pressing global and local social and environmental problems and connects them to a wider community of passionate faculty, alumni, and external partners.”

—Melanie Fedri, Coordinator for Social Entrepreneurship, GW Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service

GWupstart

æ go.gwu.edu/gwupstart

Launched in 2013, GWupstart offers resources, workshops, and prize money to support students with socially conscious ideas and ventures. Support for this program will assist GW undergraduate and graduate students as they hone their ideas for changing the world, construct business plans, and set out to put those plans into action.

GW Women’s Rowing competes on the Potomac during the 2014 George Washington Invitational.

students reach their full potential and make the George Washington University one of the finest universities in the country. Here are five of our favorites that you might not know about yet: 20 Impact | SUMMER 2015

Buff & Blue Fund

“Without the generosity of our loyal donors, the lifelong memories and sense of GW pride just wouldn’t be possible.”

æ buffandbluefund.com The Buff & Blue Fund is a philanthropic community that supports GW’s 27 varsity sports and some of the everyday needs of our more than 450 student-athletes, including nutrition, travel to away games, and the equipment and facilities they need to stay safe and compete at the —Sarah Pickus, Women’s Rowing highest level. Gifts to the Buff & Blue Fund also support students through the Leadership Academy, a comprehensive leadership development program that provides interactive workshops, oneon-one coaching, peer mentoring, online training, and educational resources.

æ Interested in learning more or supporting one of these programs? Contact us at gwimpact@gw.edu today.

The WVI shares the Elliott School’s unique lineup of speakers with alumni and community members around the world.

WLP students enjoy special speakers and panels thanks to program support.

The Elizabeth Somers Women’s Leadership Program (WLP)

æ go.gwu.edu/WLP Housed on GW’s Mount Vernon Campus, the WLP is a unique academic and residential learning program that allows first-year GW women to explore issues related to women’s leadership within the context of specific areas of interest: Globalization, Economics, and Business; International Arts and Culture; Science, Health, and Medicine; or International Politics. Gifts to WLP bring prominent scholars and leaders to campus, support scholarships, and help send WLP students to leadership conferences in the U.S. and abroad.

“Not only did the WLP set my daughters on the right foot academically and introduce them to new cultural and learning experiences, it provided them with a supportive environment of diverse classmates and compassionate professors. The WLP experience—living and learning communities that create a culture of support and curiosity—is unlike any other.”

—Michelle Hicks, P ’08, ’11, ‘13

“The WVI makes it so much easier for our global alumni community to stay engaged with the Elliott School and to showcase the intellectual breadth and depth of our school to the wider business community around the world.”

—Frank Wong, BA ’79, Web Video Initiative supporter

Web Video Initiative (WVI)

æ go.gwu.edu/WVI The WVI capitalizes on the Elliott School of International Affairs’ robust events program that brings hundreds of scholars, policymakers, diplomats, journalists, and other world leaders to the GW campus each year. Support for WVI will help further efforts to share GW’s extraordinary on-campus resources with the broader community to advance understanding of important international issues.

GWTeach will play an important role in reinvigorating STEM education in the U.S.

GWTeach

æ go.gwu.edu/GWTeach The newly launched GWTeach addresses the urgent need for more qualified math and science educators in middle and high schools by preparing undergraduate STEM majors to be successful math and science teachers. A gift to GWTeach will help provide scholarships for GW students participating in the program, fund student internships in K-12 STEM education settings, and assist with equipment and technology needs.

“My hope is that GWTeach will inspire a renewed passion in math and science that will follow students not only in the classroom, but also to the boardroom, the think tank, the halls of government—whatever career path our students choose.”

—Ben Vinson III, Dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

21

EVENTS ROUNDUP

Making History on the Road Hundreds of GW community members gathered at events in New York City, Philadelphia, Miami, and Southern California to celebrate the launch of the Making History Campaign.

GW Flag Day More than 1,000 members of the GW community rallied together on April 8 to thank GW donors for their support.

22 Impact | SUMMER 2015

Wall Street Symposium Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, BA ’85, headlined GW’s sixth Annual Wall Street Symposium.

ĂŚ To view more photos, watch videos, or read more about these events and the philanthropy behind them, visit go.gwu.edu/eventsroundupSpr15

Senior Class Toast Members of the Class of 2015 celebrate the completion of their record-setting Senior Class Gift Campaign during Class Day on May 14.

Commencement Celebration President Knapp addresses members of the GW community at a special dinner on the eve of Commencement.

Power & Promise 2015 Grace Speights, JD ‘82, speaks on the impact of receiving and endowing a GW scholarship at the annual Power & Promise dinner honoring donors and scholarship recipients.

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

23

EVENTS ROUNDUP SEH Dedication President Knapp addresses members of the GW community in Science & Engineering Hall’s new High Bay Lab as part of the building’s grand opening on March 4.

Touring SEH As part of the SEH dedication, visitors were treated to tours of labs, classrooms, and study spaces where GW students, faculty, and researchers have been at work since January.

24 Impact | SUMMER 2015

æ To view more photos, watch videos, or read more about these events and the philanthropy behind them, visit go.gwu.edu/eventsroundupSpr15

New Museum Opens Patrons explore The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, D.C.’s newest cultural destination, during its opening in March.

MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW

25

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

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR

Read the story of grad student Joseph Lukas’s groundbreaking launch and the GW alumnus who helped him accomplish that childhood dream.

æ Page 18