14th Grade Players Play It Up

By Shoshana Cohen 

Only a month into the school year, the 14^th Grade Players came out with their first performance of the year marking the beginning of the student theater season. Running Thursday until Saturday in the Lisner black box theater, the Players preformed a trio of one acts that ranged from thought provoking to over-the-top hilarious.

The evening opened with The Little Prince, directed by Angelina Hoidra, a sophomore in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. It’s the tale of a pilot has crash landed in the Sahara Desert and meets the Little Prince, who tells him of  his many adventures in faraway planets and the unique characters that live there. Each actor brought to life the character’s hyperbolic personalities. Hoidra’s one-act stood out from the rest because she based it off a French children's book, including some of the original French dialogue in the show. 

“I've always loved the book,” said Hoidra. “I left some of the original French content in just because it makes it a bit more surreal.”

The next show was of a lighter tone. Fat Joey, directed by Meghan Bernstein takes place at a high school's 10-year reunion. Each character ended up having some kind of emotional scar from their tyime in high school. 

“I can relate to my character,” says actor Connnor McInerney who plays Carter, a hopeless romantic still crushing on his prom date.

The night ended with a final one-act that had the audience falling out of their chairs in laughter. Breaking the Chain, directed by Ro Kalonaros, a senior in the Colombian College of Arts and Sciences, is the hilarious tale of Jessica, who refuses to send a chain letter that her kooky neighbors sent to her to bring them good luck. Jessica wouldn’t buy into what she thought was just a gimmick. The money and prizes her neighbors began to receive couldn’t even change her mind. 

When asked about why she chose this particular show, Kalonaros said, “I thought it was hysterical when I read it and I just had to do it!”

When the show was over the audience gave a huge round of applause. 

“I thought that The Little Prince was super deep and emotional and beautiful and I couldn't stop laughing at the other shows,” said junior Donna Ra'anam-lerner. 

“This is the best thing that 14^th Grade Players has ever put on,” commented her friend, Roxane Goldburge, a junior on campus.

Kate Lips, who played Talia in Fat Joey, says that the rehearsal process has given her great chances to make new friends. 

“We see each other so much that we have grown quite close,” said Lips. “It's nice to have a solid group of friends.” 

The 14^th Grade Players say they pride themselves in always remembering to have fun while working on their performances. Even before the show, everyone was joking around and having s great time.

Their next show will be Clue, but if you can't wait that long for your next theater kick, check out Generic Theater Company's Freshman Showcase taking place in the Lisner black-box theater next weekend.

Former Obama Speechwriter Speaks at GW

by Emma Franklin

On Wednesday night, 32-year old Jon Favreau, President Barack Obama’s former speechwriter, spoke to members of the GW community in the Dorothy Marvin Betts Theatre. Favreau spoke as the GW College Democrats’ fall kick-off speaker for the 2013-2014 academic year.

“We're very excited to host Jon Favreau who obviously played a large role in crafting the narrative of the Obama presidency and helping frame the President's campaign and policy agenda," said College Democrats President Omeed Firouzi.   "We're thrilled to be hosting an intelligent and sharp mind with keen knowledge of what a life in public service is like.” 

Favreau told a full auditorium about "The Journey Into the Life of Public Service,” a topic he considered extensively during his college years and beyond.

Following graduation from the College of the Holy Cross, he was offered a job for then Sen. John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign. He started by running errands, taking calls and getting coffee. He would wake up at 4 a.m. each morning to pull together the daily press clippings for the campaign. Favreau’s dedication and talent for politics soon became apparent and he was offered a position as deputy speechwriter for the Kerry campaign.

Favreau’s position on Sen. Kerry’s campaign lead to his first interaction with then Senator Obama of Illinois, who was giving the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. There was a sentence in Sen. Obama’s speech that was very similar to Kerry’s speech, so Favreau was awarded the task of informing Sen. Obama that he needed to change the sentence and let the presidential hopeful keep the phrase. Thankfully for Favreau, Sen. Obama took the request light-heartedly.

Following Sen. Kerry’s loss, Favreau began writing speeches for Sen. Obama in 2005. He eventually served as the Director of Speechwriting for President Obama from 2009 through early 2013.

On Wednesday, Favreau talked specifically about his relationship with the president.

“Somehow the two of us made it work for eight years; the longest and most fulfilling working relationship that I ever had,” Favreau said. “And in the process, I learned more than I ever could have imagined about writing, about politics, about life.”

On the topic of what drives politicians, Favreau said that there is no shortage of people who will say that there is a self interested, political motive attached to every decision made by politicians today. These same people say that if you think you can change this you are young, naïve, or foolish. However, Favreau rejects this idea.

“The greatest gift I ever received over the eight years I worked for President Obama is knowing that this is a lie,” said Favreau. 

Following his speech, Favreau took time to answer questions from audience members. Questions ranged from favorite historical speech--which Favreau said was Robert F. Kennedy’s address following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination--to worst day on the job, of which he said there were many. When asked if he is better than Obama at anything, Favreau laughed and couldn’t think of anything.

Audience members responded to Favreau’s speech in an overwhelmingly positive way.

“Favreau’s speech was fascinating. He shed a positive light on working with the president, with anecdotes not only about the kindness of Obama as a human, but also of his morality as a president,” said student Lauren Hoffman. 

Since leaving the White House, Favreau co-founded Fenway Strategies, a small but popular communications firm, and became a columnist for The Daily Beast. He plans on someday writing a television show about the presidency and politics.

The GW Democrats kick-off event was co-sponsored by The Student Association, The Graduate School of Political Management, The School of Media and Public Affairs, and the Student Dining Board.

WRGW News at 6. Thursday September 26th 2013

WRGW News at 6 Thursday September 26, 2013 by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

WRGW News Interview with SA President Julia Susuni

WRGW News Director Myles Goldman interview with SA President Julia Susuni.

WRGW News Interview with SA President Julia Susuni by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

WRGW News at 6: Wednesday, September 25, 2013

WRGW News at 6 Wednesday, September 25, 2013 by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

WRGW News at 6 Tuesday Sept. 24 2013 inc. interview with Matt Scott

Tuesday Sept. 24 2013 by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

White House Correspondent Chuck Todd Visits GW Hillel

By Dzhuletta Avanesian

NBC White House Correspondent Chuck Todd received a GW Hillel t-shirt following his talk Friday night.

Photo Credit: Justin Solar

Chuck Todd, the Chief White House Corresponded for NBC News and the host of The Daily Rundown on MSNBC visited GW Hillel for Shabbat dinner on Friday night .

Todd spoke before a large group of students on his time at GW from 1990-1994, during which he majored in political science and minored in music. 

Todd discussed why he loved GW and one of his favorite aspects of being a student. 
"[It's] an automatic way to get an internship," he said.

Todd started his political work in D.C. while enrolled at GW.  Legendary NBC journalist Tim Russert personally offered him the Political Director position at NBC in 2007 . In 2008, Todd became the White House Correspondent as well as the Contributing Editor to Meet the Press.

Students asked Todd a variety of questions including  the relationship he has with other correspondents covering the White House. 

“We spend a lot of time together and it is a friendly competition," Todd said.  "Some of my closest friends are my competitors." 

On the role of digital journalism, Todd said Twitter's importance should not be minimized as a way to gather information but that the public should realize  journalists reporting breaking news through social media are reporting information "in the raw."  

Todd  went into this point in-depth.  He said journalists giving details of breaking news on Twitter are responding to the public's expectation to learn everything in real-time.  He said the public should understand that journalists are many times still in the news-gathering process  when they report breaking news on social media.  

      

Still, Todd feels the future is brighter for journalism than many others think.  He explained the current media environment is perfect for young entrepreneurial people who could form their own media businesses covering news, for example local news, that many current media companies ignore.  

At SMPA Event Members of Congress Discuss Corporate Dominance of Media & Politics

By Andrew Desiderio

The School of Media and Public Affairs on Wednesday hosted Robert McChesney and John Nichols, the co-founders of Free Press, an interest group which advocates for a more dynamic media landscape. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) was the keynote speaker at the event held in Jack Morton Auditorium.

“The issues they raise are at the core of what corrupts American democracy,” Frank Sesno, the Director of SMPA, said as he opened the event.

Free Press has devoted its time over the past decade to combatting corporate and governmental control over various media outlets. They do this by crafting policy proposals, conducting research, testifying before Congress, and arguing before courts in order to advocate what they believe are effective and fair media policies.

McChesney and Nichols devoted much of the time to discussing their new book, Dollarocracy, which outlines how U.S. elections are essentially controlled by a wealthy class of consultants. 

“Money rules [our elections], not the will of the people,” McChesney said when explaining the main idea of the book. “The political system does not reflect the values of the people in this country.”

Free Press actively promotes net neutrality and decries Internet censorship. 

“The open Internet is still under attack,"   Craig Aaron, the President and CEO of Free Press, said. "The surveillance state surpasses some of our worst nightmares,”

In introducing Senator Bernie Sanders, Aaron praised him. 

“We need so many more people like Bernie Sanders in Washington today.”

Sanders spoke of his main objective to eliminate the “oligarchic form of society” under which we currently live and how media consolidation, Citizens United Supreme Court decision, and corporate interest groups are “corrupting” American politics.

“To get legislation passed that does not have the seal of approval from Wall Street and corporate America – it’s not going to happen,” said Sanders of the wealthy corporate donors who are, in his view, causing the gridlock in Washington.

Nichols also spoke of how democracy and diplomacy “replaced” a full-scale war in Syria. The American people were wary and skeptical of war, Nichols said, and the government listened to them. 

“When the American people are heard, good things happen,”  Nichols continued. 

This was an example, Nichols asserted, of how the media complex failed in ginning up support for another unpopular war.

Although Free Press considers itself a non-partisan organization, Nichols espoused what are often considered to be more progressive beliefs. 

“We must create a constitutional amendment that says money is not speech. Corporations are not people.” Nichols commented.  “We also have a responsibility to eliminate the Electoral College,” citing the fact that George W. Bush lost by 540,000 votes in 2000 but still became President. Nichols also advocates the overturning of the Supreme Court's Citizens United, decision which allowed for unlimited corporate and union donations to political causes and campaigns.

Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI), who represents the district where Nichols and McChesney live, also spoke in support of the initiatives taken by Free Press. Pocan introduced constitutional amendments that would overturn Citizens United, declare that money contributions to campaigns are not free speech, and  corporations are not people. 

University Yard Hosts Annual GW Safety Expo

By Kinjo Kiema

On Wednesday, over 30 school, local, and federal agencies and organizations were hosted in University Yard for the GW Safety Expo. This event marked National Readiness Month and the 10^th Anniversary of the Ready Campaign, originally created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The first 1,000 attendees could line up to get an emergency preparedness kit. Free pizza was also available, as well as other giveaways from various organizations.

Many of the groups were handing out fliers at their tables regarding new tools students and staff can use while on campus or in the general DC area. The DC Homeland Security and Management Agency gave out brochures about their new app with features such as emergency notifications and evacuation maps. 

Additionally, tables for GW sponsored organizations, such as EMERG and GWPD were at the event. EMERG had a group of volunteers standing by to answer questions and dispel common misconceptions about their group-for example, clarifying that EMerg is for all medical emergencies, not just alcohol related ones, and that they are a free of charge service, unlike 911.  

Another highlight was the GWPD table, where they advertised their new program Haven. Due to recent changes to GW's sexual harassment reporting policies, the Haven program is a website that brings together resources for victims of sexual misconduct and violence in the community.  More information can be found at: haven.gwu.edu

Event Organizers Look To Move-On After Gorbachev Cancels GW Event

By Andrew Desiderio

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev last Thursday canceled his upcoming visit to GW on October 1st due to health reasons.  The cancellation came just days after The School of Media and Public Affairs and the Media Student Community Council (MSCC), one of the event's co-sponsors, announced that SMPA Director Frank Sesno would interview Gorbachev in Lisner Auditorium. 

Now, SMPA and the Media Student Community Council, who spent months planning the event, are determined to move forward.

“President Gorbachev is welcome to appear at GW at any time, and we await word from his agency on when that may occur,” said Samara Sit, the Director of Administration and Special Projects for SMPA.

Gorbachev recently backed out of other events for health reasons, including Margaret Thatcher’s funeral in April.

The former Soviet leader was also supposed to speak at Principia College in Illinois on Oct. 3^rd, just two days after he planned on speaking at GW. GW would have been Gorbachev’s only DC stop on his US tour.

Student reaction across campus has been one of disappointment.  

“I’m a little bit disappointed, but I understand the circumstances," said Jonathan Adams, a Columbian College Freshman.  "I’m sure there will be an opportunity for him to return sometime in the future. I wish him the best with his health.” 

The Media Student Community Council was surprised by the news but is quickly looking to move forward.

“I speak for myself as well as the rest of the MSCC E-board when I say that we were utterly devastated by today’s news,” John Torrisi, chairman of MSCC, wrote in an email to members.

Torrisi, a GW senior in SMPA, attempted to lift members’ spirits.  

“We will work diligently with SMPA to replace this event with a bigger and better one later this school year.”

Despite the apparent disappointment around campus, Torrisi assured MSCC members that the organization’s goal is to bring another world-class speaker to GW. 

“I promise you that we will work tirelessly to achieve it.”

In the email sent to members, there is a link to a survey that asks members to name current or former Heads of State they would like to see speak on campus.  

In the first Student Association Senate meeting of the academic year on September 9th  SA Finance Chair Ryan Counihan reported that the Student Association had contributed thousands of dollars for the Gorbachev event.  Counihan told WRGW News, though, that there is no policy in place that the event either needs be replaced or the money needs to be returned.  However, he would not comment further about what would happen with the money until the next Student Association Senate Meeting, which will be on October 7th. 

McKinley Kant and Myles Goldman contributed to this report.  

University Community Unites to Remember September 11th

By Melissa Lee 

The National Anthem was performed at the University's 9/11 Memorial Service Wednesday night. 
Photo Credit: Melissa Lee

On Wednesday, at 8:46 a.m., the carillon bells rang out at GW’s Mount Vernon and Foggy Bottom campuses. At this time, GW faculty and students paused to remember the tragedy of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. Countless individuals lost their lives on September 11, including nine GW alums.

At 7:00 p.m., students gathered at University Yard to participate in a remembrance vigil in honor of all those who lost their lives on September 11, as well as those who participated in acts of heroism in the face of fear and tragedy.

Volunteers distributed small paper-lined candles to all attendees as they entered to watch the service. Student Association President Julia Susuni opened the event, thanking all participants. She introduced a series of prayers that members of several faiths delivered, all of which emphasized remembrance and reconciliation within the university community.

President Steven Knapp then gave remarks, noting his pride in students’ commitment to service and community through university events honoring the victims of September 11, such as the annual interfaith dinner and day of service.

The service proceeded with those who provided firsthand accounts of the events of September 11. An admiral, who was at the Pentagon during the attacks, recounted his experiences on that day, and he thanked all Americans for what they have done for their country. He also spoke about some kind strangers who helped him get home from the Pentagon that day, as well as how everyday people have helped to honor the victims and heroes of September 11.

GW student Mike Masseroli provided a deeply personal story of how his father was killed in the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks.

He said that September 11 was his first day of the first grade, and that his father had left to work earlier that morning. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, Masseroli said, but later that day he learned that his father would not be returning home. Despite this tragedy, throughout his life Masseroli has committed himself to continuing his father’s legacy. Masseroli said that some people describe September 11 as a day that revealed the evil side of mankind, but he disagrees.  Instead, he believes that September 11, 2001 was a day when Americans demonstrated the best side of human resilience.

 “I was really happy that they asked me to be a part of it this year,” Masseroli said when WRGW asked him what Wednesday’s remembrance vigil meant to him. “Last year I attended as a spectator, and they saw my photo in the Hatchet, and the GW events staff contacted me a couple of months ago and asked me if I would be a part of this, and I knew right when they asked me that I had to do it. It was a great opportunity to just give what I hope was a unique perspective on the issue.”

After Masseroli’s speech, nine candles were lit in honor of the nine GW alums who lost their lives on September 11. These nine candles were then used to light the candles of the service attendees. Choral music, including a rendition of “God Bless America,” was sung during this time. Those present paused for a moment of remembrance.

Susuni gave closing remarks for the service, inviting members of the GW community to become further involved with other events in remembrance of September 11 such as the annual interfaith dinner.