This is the Old WRGW District Radio News website. As of January 13th, 2014 all of the latest GW and local DC news can be found on our brand new website at: www.wrgwnews.com!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
University Celebrates Student Life Excellence
The best of GW student life was celebrated in Lisner Auditorium last Wednesday night at the 27th Annual Excellence in Student Life Awards. Student leaders and administrators came together to recognize contributions made by student leaders, faculty, and staff to campus life this year with awards given in 25 categories.
The evening began with a tribute to Dr. Robert Chernak, GW's Senior Vice Provost for Student and Academic Support Services, who is retiring after 23 years of service to GW. During the opening skit, President Steven Knapp welcomed Dr. Chernak out onto the stage. Dr. Chernak was wearing a GW sports jersey, baseball hat, and a backpack as he was dressed up to look like a student. Following the skit, a video tribute was played to honor Dr. Chernak. It was also announced that the "Spark A Life Award for Staff Member of the Year" would now be named in Dr. Chernak's honor.
The awards ranged from scholarships given out for student excellence to outstanding community service and faculty member of the year. In all there were over 350 nominations for the 25 award categories. One of the most publicized awards, "Pyramid Awards for Student Organization of the year", was given out to three student organizations. Active Minds at GWU, an organization looking to raise awareness about mental health; GW Students Against Sexual Assault; and the South Asian Society.
Some of GW's best student leaders were awarded with a "Wall of Fame Award." This award is given to students for their leadership and contribution to student life at GW over several years. They are rewarded by having a professional characterturist do a characterture of them that will be added to a wall of charactertures of student leaders over the years on the Fourth Floor of the Marvin Center. The Wall of Fame Award was given to Anthony Bellmon, Eric Guitierrez, Courtnay Oddman, Dylan Pyne, and Hugo Scheckter.
"To be a part of the Wall of Fame really brings together my four years," Oddman said. "I'm so happy GW appreciates what I've done," she added.
A live competition was also held between three student performance groups. Over the last several weeks students and the nomination committee narrowed the field down to three groups. GW RASS, an Indian Dance performing arts group; The Voice Gospel Choir; and Capital Funk, a hip hop dance group. Once all three groups performed, students texted in their vote. Near the end of the night, Capital Funk was declared the winner after dazzling the crowd with their choreography.
"We have different members of the teams choreograph and then the individuals teach the moves to the rest of the team," Christopher Kim, a Co-Captain of Capital Funk, said.
The night was organized by GW Hallmark Programs and the department was assisted by a student planning Committee. Aly Azhar, who won the Class of 2009 University Pride Award and was a member of the student committee, said the committee met weekly in the spring and ordered all the food and decorations for the post-event dessert reception held in the Marvin Center.
"This is my favorite event of the year," Azhar said. "I hope to be involved next year," he commented.
The evening began with a tribute to Dr. Robert Chernak, GW's Senior Vice Provost for Student and Academic Support Services, who is retiring after 23 years of service to GW. During the opening skit, President Steven Knapp welcomed Dr. Chernak out onto the stage. Dr. Chernak was wearing a GW sports jersey, baseball hat, and a backpack as he was dressed up to look like a student. Following the skit, a video tribute was played to honor Dr. Chernak. It was also announced that the "Spark A Life Award for Staff Member of the Year" would now be named in Dr. Chernak's honor.
The awards ranged from scholarships given out for student excellence to outstanding community service and faculty member of the year. In all there were over 350 nominations for the 25 award categories. One of the most publicized awards, "Pyramid Awards for Student Organization of the year", was given out to three student organizations. Active Minds at GWU, an organization looking to raise awareness about mental health; GW Students Against Sexual Assault; and the South Asian Society.
Some of GW's best student leaders were awarded with a "Wall of Fame Award." This award is given to students for their leadership and contribution to student life at GW over several years. They are rewarded by having a professional characterturist do a characterture of them that will be added to a wall of charactertures of student leaders over the years on the Fourth Floor of the Marvin Center. The Wall of Fame Award was given to Anthony Bellmon, Eric Guitierrez, Courtnay Oddman, Dylan Pyne, and Hugo Scheckter.
"To be a part of the Wall of Fame really brings together my four years," Oddman said. "I'm so happy GW appreciates what I've done," she added.
A live competition was also held between three student performance groups. Over the last several weeks students and the nomination committee narrowed the field down to three groups. GW RASS, an Indian Dance performing arts group; The Voice Gospel Choir; and Capital Funk, a hip hop dance group. Once all three groups performed, students texted in their vote. Near the end of the night, Capital Funk was declared the winner after dazzling the crowd with their choreography.
"We have different members of the teams choreograph and then the individuals teach the moves to the rest of the team," Christopher Kim, a Co-Captain of Capital Funk, said.
The night was organized by GW Hallmark Programs and the department was assisted by a student planning Committee. Aly Azhar, who won the Class of 2009 University Pride Award and was a member of the student committee, said the committee met weekly in the spring and ordered all the food and decorations for the post-event dessert reception held in the Marvin Center.
"This is my favorite event of the year," Azhar said. "I hope to be involved next year," he commented.
GW Women In Business Spring Conference Draws Big Name Speakers
“The true gift of feminism is choice,” said Princess Yasmine Phalavi to a group of young women Saturday morning in a lecture classroom in Funger Hall. As these women sat in the lecture hall dressed in business attire and ready to take notes from accomplished women leaders, they got a glimpse of the reality women face in the business world.
The GW Women in Business organization hosted their third annual Spring Conference on Saturday in Funger and Duques Hall. Following the theme “Envision. Execute. Engage: A Blueprint for Success,” three prominent speakers, including the founder and Director of the Foundation for the Children of Iran, Princess Yasmin Phalavi, the president of Magnolia Bakery, Bobbie Lloyd, and founder and the chief strategy officer of Gilt Groupe, Alexis Maybank, discussed each segment while numerous panelists supplemented the experience. The conference covered a variety of industries, including: technology, event planning, media, fashion and entrepreneurship.
The media panel featured Dana Bash, who is a Senior Congressional Correspondent for CNN. Discussing the media industry, Bash advised the young women in the room to guard their “reputation and credibility” because “it’s one of the most important things.”
The event was open to GW students and the public and had about two hundred women in attendance.
Along with the large networking opportunities, the conference provided breakfast from Whole Foods, lunch from Chop’t, a copy of Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson’s new book, By Invitation Only, and “swag bags” filled with goodies.
Listen to the WRGW News clip below for more details.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Eric Cantor Talks Bipartisanship, Faith and GW
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) spoke before students at the Hillel house at an event sponsored by Challah for Hunger last Thursday afternoon.
With a slight Southern twang, Congressman Cantor, the second-highest ranking member of the House of Representatives, spoke briefly about faith and service. He pointed to the Jewish concept of "Tikun Olam," or repairing the world, as a guiding force in his work.
The Congressman emphasized the importance of students getting involved around Washington, reminiscing about his time working on the Hill while in school, interning and later driving for Virginia Representative Tom Billey.
The House Majority Leader graduated from GW in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and lived in Thurston Hall his freshman year. "I'm glad they didn't have YouTube back then," Congressman Cantor joked.
Despite appearing almost an hour late for the speech, the Congressman still left time to answer questions from the audience. WRGW News was able to ask one question about the difficulties of bipartisanship in Congress. Listen below:
The Congressman emphasized the importance of students getting involved around Washington, reminiscing about his time working on the Hill while in school, interning and later driving for Virginia Representative Tom Billey.
The House Majority Leader graduated from GW in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and lived in Thurston Hall his freshman year. "I'm glad they didn't have YouTube back then," Congressman Cantor joked.
Despite appearing almost an hour late for the speech, the Congressman still left time to answer questions from the audience. WRGW News was able to ask one question about the difficulties of bipartisanship in Congress. Listen below:
-Joseph Rabinowitz
Friday, April 20, 2012
Students Arrested in Protest Share Their Story
GW freshmen Markus Batchelor and Matt Laurinavicius stopped by last night's "News at 6" to discuss the fight for D.C. statehood and their recent arrest at a protest at the Capitol. Listen below:
Monday, April 16, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Three Minutes with Mayor Cory Booker
The College Democrats hosted Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker as their year-end speaker Sunday night in SMPA's Jack Morton Auditorium.
The Democratic Mayor made headlines last week when he helped rescue a neighbor from her burning house after it caught fire, but focused the majority of his speech on his professional experiences as a Newark city council member and mayor. He also shared stories about his personal development, coming out of Yale Law School as a passionate idealist and learning the realities of inner-city life while living in a Newark public-housing project.
His speech emphasized faith and positivity in his life, including the "conspiracy of love" from the unsung and often anonymous individuals who helped him along the way.
WRGW News caught up with Mayor Booker after his speech to talk about health care, bipartisanship and working with Governor Chris Christie. Listen below:
The Democratic Mayor made headlines last week when he helped rescue a neighbor from her burning house after it caught fire, but focused the majority of his speech on his professional experiences as a Newark city council member and mayor. He also shared stories about his personal development, coming out of Yale Law School as a passionate idealist and learning the realities of inner-city life while living in a Newark public-housing project.
His speech emphasized faith and positivity in his life, including the "conspiracy of love" from the unsung and often anonymous individuals who helped him along the way.
WRGW News caught up with Mayor Booker after his speech to talk about health care, bipartisanship and working with Governor Chris Christie. Listen below:
-Joseph Rabinowitz
Friday, April 13, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
GW Students Get Out the Vote
GW student political groups were on the phone, walking the DC streets, and postering across the city last week as they looked to help their candidates of choice win during the DC Presidential primary on Tuesday.
Shoshana Weissmann, the head of GW Students for Romney, spent the days leading up the DC Republican Presidential primary helping DC residents become more familiar with Governor Romney's stances on the issues.
"We are all very passionate about the campaign and dedicated to helping Governor Romney become the next President," Weissman said.
With President Obama running unopposed for the Democratic nomination for President, The GW College Democrats focused on a local election. The group spent time in the week leading up to the primary campaigning for GW alum and former GW College Democrats member Max Skolnik, who was running for DC Council in Ward 4. Although Skolnik lost his race to incumbent Muriel Bowser in a six-person race, the more than three dozen GW College Democrat members involved in Skolnik's campaign said they gained "valuable on-the-ground experience."
The night before the primary, several GW College Democrat members were on the phone calling residents in Ward 4 and going out until midnight to knock-on-doors and hand out literature in the ward.
"More than any other candidate we've worked we've become close to Max," Phil Gardner, GW College Democrats Campaign Manager, said. "He's the ideal GW graduate," Gardner added.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Kony Group Looks to New Strategy After CGIU
The release of Kony 2012 Part 2 on Thursday has people across the world talking again about Lord Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony once again. The now infamous Kony has led the LRA through Uganda, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and The Central African Republic, leaving behind a path of destruction. Kony and the LRA are accused of having abducted over 30,000 children in northern Uganda alone.
Kony 2012 Part 2 comes several weeks after the release of a half-hour video created by Invisible Children Co-Founder Jason Russell about the rebel leader Kony. On campus, The GW college chapter of Invisible Children wants to take the lessons it learned from the Clinton Global Initiative Univesity Conference (CGIU), held at GW last weekdend, to help Kony's victims.
In order to attend the Conference, the student organization submitted a commitment to action plan about their goal of funding a year of art supplies for an art therapy program for ex-LRA children combatants at the only rehab center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Members of GW Invisible Children went to several presentations about stopping genocide throughout the world and learned strategies on how to reach the world's most remote places in need.
"The conference was an incredibly interesting and inspiring experience," Nick Holdreith, the chapter's Vice President, said. "We also made some tentative connections with individuals and other non governmental organizations like Livestrong," he added.
The GW Invisible Children's chapter is in the planning stages of how to meet their goal of raising $2,500 by the end of 2012. The group plans to hold bake sales to raise the money, along with a larger fundraising event such as a dinner or an art gala show at a museum in the District. The money will go toward purchasing art supplies locally through an African NGO partnered with the GW group.
"We believe this [money] should be more than enough for the projected growth of the rehabilitation center to hold them over for some time," Holdreith commented.
The GW chapter of Invisible Children has seen an increase in support from the community since Kony 2012 was released. The group says it has gained 150 new facebook likes and more students in general have been in contact asking what they can do to help the organization.
"I defintely think our chapter is more recognizable," Jenny Rabago, the chapter's treasurer, said.
The group is also planning two other upcoming events. On April 20th, the chapter will be joining Invisible Children college chapters in the District area for Cover the Night, part of a worldwide movement of local Invisible Children chapters. The chapters will canvas the city putting up posters while dressed in costumes.
The GW Chapter will then show it's own screening of Kony 2012 on April 23rd at 6:00 in Funger Hall, followed by a discussion and Q&A session with a Ugandan survivor. A street team from the main Invisible Children organization will be on hand.
Not everyone has had a positive reaction to the video. Skeptics have questioned Invisible Children's organization and financial practices. The criticism compounded after Jason Russell was taken to a hospital after a recent public meltdown which included public nudity.
Still, the group's members are committed to Invisible Children's cause and continue to lobby members of Congress to support Kony 2012 resolutions that have been proposed on the House floor.
"Regardless of all the criticism, the video has made people aware," Megan McDonough, the Chapter's President, said.
Kony 2012 Part 2 comes several weeks after the release of a half-hour video created by Invisible Children Co-Founder Jason Russell about the rebel leader Kony. On campus, The GW college chapter of Invisible Children wants to take the lessons it learned from the Clinton Global Initiative Univesity Conference (CGIU), held at GW last weekdend, to help Kony's victims.
In order to attend the Conference, the student organization submitted a commitment to action plan about their goal of funding a year of art supplies for an art therapy program for ex-LRA children combatants at the only rehab center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Members of GW Invisible Children went to several presentations about stopping genocide throughout the world and learned strategies on how to reach the world's most remote places in need.
"The conference was an incredibly interesting and inspiring experience," Nick Holdreith, the chapter's Vice President, said. "We also made some tentative connections with individuals and other non governmental organizations like Livestrong," he added.
The GW Invisible Children's chapter is in the planning stages of how to meet their goal of raising $2,500 by the end of 2012. The group plans to hold bake sales to raise the money, along with a larger fundraising event such as a dinner or an art gala show at a museum in the District. The money will go toward purchasing art supplies locally through an African NGO partnered with the GW group.
"We believe this [money] should be more than enough for the projected growth of the rehabilitation center to hold them over for some time," Holdreith commented.
The GW chapter of Invisible Children has seen an increase in support from the community since Kony 2012 was released. The group says it has gained 150 new facebook likes and more students in general have been in contact asking what they can do to help the organization.
"I defintely think our chapter is more recognizable," Jenny Rabago, the chapter's treasurer, said.
The group is also planning two other upcoming events. On April 20th, the chapter will be joining Invisible Children college chapters in the District area for Cover the Night, part of a worldwide movement of local Invisible Children chapters. The chapters will canvas the city putting up posters while dressed in costumes.
The GW Chapter will then show it's own screening of Kony 2012 on April 23rd at 6:00 in Funger Hall, followed by a discussion and Q&A session with a Ugandan survivor. A street team from the main Invisible Children organization will be on hand.
Not everyone has had a positive reaction to the video. Skeptics have questioned Invisible Children's organization and financial practices. The criticism compounded after Jason Russell was taken to a hospital after a recent public meltdown which included public nudity.
Still, the group's members are committed to Invisible Children's cause and continue to lobby members of Congress to support Kony 2012 resolutions that have been proposed on the House floor.
"Regardless of all the criticism, the video has made people aware," Megan McDonough, the Chapter's President, said.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Interview with Rye Barcott
WRGW interview with Rye Barcott: former Marine, author of "It Happened on the Way to War," and co-founder of Carolina for Kibera.
CGI U Brings Service Driven Students to Foggy Bottom
Former President Bill Clinton kicked off the 5th CGIU conference in the Smith Center on Friday night. The conference, which hosted more than 1,000 students from around the world, spanned two days and encompassed various panels and speaker series.
A number of high-profile guests joined Clinton during the opening plenary session on Friday night, including: former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, singer Usher, University President Steven Knapp, and activists Rye Barcott and Sadiqa Basiri Saleem. Each spoke at length about the various service projects on which they have worked. The session also included a question-and-answer portion where the panelists gave the students advice about how they could become more active in serving the world. Usher closed out the event by singing "Greatest Love of All," by the late Whitney Houston.
During the weekend, other successful figures, such as Craigslist founder Craig Newmark and "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, told students about how they could make a difference in the areas of public health, education and the environment.
In addition to speaker sessions and workshops, the conference also featured a project challenge. Various Universities submitted projects, to be featured in a NCAA-style bracket, which could be voted on by the general public. Panda Cycles, a project submission from GW focused on providing sustainable bamboo bicycles, won the entire competition.
The conference finished on Sunday with a DC-centric community service event.
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