A New Year and A New Look for GW

By Myles Goldman

The University kicked-off the 2012-2013 academic year by unveiling a new logo for the University Sunday night in front of a packed crowd in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom.   The new logo comes after two years of a 75 person committee working to update the University logo that had not been changed since 2002.

An estimated crowd of more than 150 students crowded into the Grand Ballroom to sample free food ranging from ice cream to burritos from local vendors and watch the "virtual" unveiling.  The crowd was much larger than the University expected and many students were either standing in the back of the room or sitting on the floor between the two sections of seats.  Vice President for  External Relations, Lorraine Voles, also mentioned during her address to the crowd that other students were still out in the hallway of the third floor outside of the room because there was not enough room to let them in.

While speaking to the crowd, Student Association President Ashwin Narla noted the student attendance.


"We got a lot more people than expected but we were able to manage," Narla said.

The new image of the University's namesake is the one from the statue in University Yard sculpted by Jean-Antoine Houdan.

The other major change President Steven Knapp told the crowd was going from a Serif to San Serif font.  The result is the lines between words in the University's name have been eliminated.  Chuckles could be heard from the crowd as Knapp described the change.

University administrators speaking at the event said the updating of the logo was necessary to project a sharper image to the world as the University enters it's third century of existence in 2021.  Additionally, administrators said the old image did not translate very well in web and other new technological platforms.

Still, many students seemed frustrated about the money the University spent on the project.  Mumbles from students could be heard during parts of the presentation.

Student Association President Ashwin Narla responded to student concerns.

"Cost is a huge issue," Narla said.  "We're going to advocate to make progress on fees and student life issues this year.  The rebranding is only one part [of how the University spends money].  Let's see if we can work with them to spend money in other areas," he added.

As part of the launch of the new logo, the University began a new marketing campaign focused on several new phrases.  Additionally, GW students are encouraged to share their stories about how they have contributed to the University.  A video truck was outside the Marvin Center during the event and students lined-up to appear on camera and tell about their time at GW.

In conjunction with the new logo, the University changed the entire appearance of its website.

GW Buildings Shine a Blue Light on Autism

Students may have noticed during the month of April many University buildings and structures had a blue-glow at night.  The blue-glow was not an accident but for a good cause.  All throughout the month the University was participating in the "Light it Up Blue" campaign for Autism speaks, an organization dedicated to spreading awareness about Autism through science and advocacy.

GW buildings participating in the campaign included the School of Media & Public Affairs, Lisner Auditorium, the Elliott School Building, and Duques Hall along with the Clock Tower on the Mount Vernon Campus.  GW's buildings joined 2,000 famous landmarks around the world that participated in the campaign.  The landmarks included the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and Niagara Falls in Canada.

"Autism has been made one of the top three initiatives at GW by President Knapp," Heather Russell, Development Director of the Office for the Vice President of Research, said.  Russell was in charge of planning out the University's participation in "The Light it Up Blue" campaign this year.

"It is GW's plan to establish an Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorder Institute focusing on research, treatment, and policy in the next two to three years," Russell explained.

The University will work with Children's National Medical Center to establish the Institute.

In addition, to recognize World Autism Day on April 2nd, the University had blue spot lights on University yard for two hours.

Autism is a neurodevelopment disorder that generally appears in a child's first three years of life.  One in every 88 children around the world will be diagnosed on the Autism spectrum.  

Since 2010, GW faculty have conducted over 30 research projects on causes and treatments for Autism and other related neurodevelopment disorders.

Israeli Ambassador Emphasizes Close Ties Between Israel and the U.S.

Israel Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren spoke to GW students and faculty Monday night at the Elliott School of International Affairs.  The Ambassador's talk was titled, "Ultimate Allies: Israel and the United States."  The Ambassador was brought to the University by the Middle East Policy Forum.

The Ambassador gave a half-hour talk about how the relationship between Israel and the United States has always been close going back to when the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Oren explained that the Pilgrims were inspired by the bible story of the Israelites escaping from Egypt.

"The Puritans read the Old Testament and they loved the story," Oren said.  "They became the new Israel and England became the new Egypt.  That's why there are about a thousand towns in the Northeastern United States with Hebrew biblical names," Oren explained.

Oren told two stories of recent trips to Colorado and Ohio to highlight the close relationship between Israel and the United States.  In Colorado Oren was present at the Colorado State Assembly's vote on a resolution that passed unanimously to support Israel.  In Cincinnati, Ohio Oren went to "The Church of the New Jerusalem," an all African American Baptist Church.  Oren said he was warmly received "with love" as Israel's Ambassador to the United States

"What other country's ambassador would be greeted this way in such diverse scenarios," Oren asked.

There were tense moments during Oren's talk and afterwards, however.  A group of more than a dozen students walked out of the auditorium less than ten minutes into Oren's talk.  One student walking-out held a sign that said, "Oren Supports Colonialism." in regards to Israel's relationship with the Palestinians. As the students walked out the Ambassador remained calm.

"I'll wait," Oren said.  "It's a shame.  I've come here to talk to you," he added to the students walking out.

The students who walked out then lined-up in front of the Elliott School and protested with signs and chanting.  The students were still protesting when audience members were exiting the building after the event.

Following his speech, Oren took questions from the audience.  Several of the questions included sharp critiques of Israel's handling of settlements in the West Bank and other aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Oren did say that Israel and the United States did not agree on everything.

"We have disagreed on tactical aspects of the peace process," Oren said.  "[However], we agree on the endgame. The strategy is the creation of two states for two peoples.  The nation state of the Jewish people called Israel and the nation state of the Palestinian people called Palestine living side-by-side in mutual security and mutual recognition,"Oren explained.    

Mostly, Oren remained focused on how Israel and the United States have shared innovative ideas with each other.  Oren told a story about how a Jerusalem company's high-tech bandage with an internal pressure device was used to stop the bleeding from a wound in Congresswomen Gabrielle Gifford's head when she was shot in January 2011.  Oren discussed how Israeli companies are employing thousands of Americans in the United States.  Oren went on to talk about how Israel has shared its technology developments with the United States.  One of Oren's examples was with the USB storage device, which was invented in Israel.

"We are in the high-tech part of your existence as students," Oren commented.

According to Oren, Israel is looking to be the first country with a self-sufficient electric car system.

"We hope to help President Obama reach his goal of a billion electric cars on American roads by 2015," Oren said.  

Weird news at 6 for 4/27

News at 6 for 4/27 Weird News by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

News at 6: Thursday April 26, 2012

WRGW News at 6: Thursday April 26, 2012 by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

News at 6 for 4/25

WRGW News at 6 for 4/25 by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

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.

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.

WRGW News at 6: Report - GWWIB Spring Conference 2012 by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

News at 6: Tuesday, April 24, 2012

News at 6: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

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:

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

-Joseph Rabinowitz