LISNER’ S SECOND ACT /// THE SUN RISES /// GIFT GUIDE

T H E G E O R G E W A S H I N G T O N UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE FALL 2014

Revolutionary ambition. Driving progress.

IN THIS ISSUE A 28-page pullout supplement details the ideas, goals, and people behind GW’s new $1 billion philanthropic campaign. GW NEWS

B / gw magazine / Fall 2014 CONTENTS GW MAGAZINE FALL 2014 A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

The a cappella group Sons of Pitch performs at Lisner in August as part of a student showcase.

[Features] [Departments] 32 / Making History, One Experience at a Time 3 / Editor’s Note The university embarks on a $1 billion philanthropic campaign. / / By James Irwin 4 / Postmarks 38 / Here Comes the Sun 7 / GW News The university inks a deal to receive half of its electricity from solar power as it endeavors to become 58 / Philanthropy Update carbon neutral and a model of sustainability in the city. / By Laura Hambleton / 62 / Alumni News 44 / Inside the Monkey Cage If politics can be a bit of a circus, then political science professor John Sides and his team of bloggers aim to bring a little order to the chaos. /

48 / Stage Presence For more than seven decades Lisner Auditorium has shined a spotlight on movers, shakers, and thinkers. With a raft of new upgrades, the venue is primed for a second act. / By Mary A. Dempsey /

54 / A GW Gift Guide From bamboo bicycles to umbrellas that help build wells in Uganda, businesses run by fellow On the cover: Colonials might just have the perfect thing to give—or get—this holiday season. / By Kelly Danver /

JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL Photo by William Atkins

gwmagazine.com / 1 SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST NEWS from GW Today via e-mail

Be Informed Be Connected Be Notified gwtoday.gwu.edu FROM THE EDITOR

m anaging editor Danny Freedman, BA ’01 a ssociate editor Jamie L. Freedman, MA ’96 a ssistant editor Ruth Steinhardt contributors GW Today staff: Keith Harriston (senior managing editor), Brittney Dunkins, Lauren Ingeno, James Irwin, Julyssa Lopez interns Kelly Danver, BA ’14; Rebecca Manikkam A Future Focus university photographer Jessica McConnell Burt photo editor They came in blue blazers and in volleyball uniforms; they came before leading William Atkins the 3 p.m. visitors’ tour around campus, and after a summer spent smiling design through five sessions of Colonial Inauguration. Doctoral students broke from their GW Marketing & Creative Services research, and staffers put on hold countless tasks that keep the university running a rt directors seamlessly. Dominic Abbate, BA ’09 John McGlasson, BA ’00, MFA ’03 The volunteers—students, alumni, staff, and faculty members—who grace the cover of this issue were offered nothing in exchange for their time: no pizza, no president of the uni v er sit y silly swag. The magazine put out a call to help us illustrate our cover story about Steven Knapp v ice president for external GW’s $1 billion philanthropic campaign, and they answered, simply because they relations are GW. Dozens of people showed up, creating a rare crowd during an otherwise Lorraine Voles, BA ’81 sleepy stretch of August. a ssoci ate v ice president for communications The campaign is about them—and all of us here, and you. It’s about the future Sarah Gegenheimer Baldassaro that the GW community is helping to create, and there are glimpses of that world ex ecu ti v e direc tor for throughout this issue. editorial services It’s a future that is looking a shade greener, at least around campus, where soon Rachel Muir 50 percent of GW’s electricity needs will be generated by an array of hundreds GW Magazine (ISSN 2162-6464) of thousands of solar panels in North Carolina. University officials are hoping the is published quarterly by the Division of External Relations, the George plan, which will pump green power into the D.C. regional grid, will be a model of Washington University, Rice Hall more sustainable city living. Suite 501, Washington, D.C. 20052. Businesses run by GW alumni are using profits to build wells in Uganda and Our phone number is 202-994-5709; fax 202-994-5761; email [email protected]. provide lifesaving antibiotics to infants, among other things. Their wares are postmaster Please send all featured in our first-ever gift guide, which we hope will help them do some good change-of-address notices to GW this holiday season. Magazine, GW Alumni Records Office, We also profile the political science blog The Monkey Cage, launched by GW 2100 M St., NW, Suite 315, Washington, DC 20052. Notices can also be sent to us faculty members, which is deep into election mode ahead of November. The at gwu.edu/~alumni/update, via email to blog has grown steadily and become a highly-regarded junction where world [email protected], or 202-994-3569. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, news meets drama-free, data-driven analysis—now from a new home on The D.C., and additional mailing offices. Washington Post’s website. Opinions expressed in these pages are those And we look at the history-laden first seven decades of Lisner Auditorium, and of the individuals and do not necessarily toward its future: the venue recently finished a two-summer interior renovation reflect official positions of the university. © 2014 The George Washington University and technical upgrade that aim to keep it competitive and, culturally, center stage. The George Washington University is an equal opportunity/affirmative Danny Freedman, BA ’01 action institution.

JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL managing editor Volume 25, Issue 1

gwmagazine.com / 3 POSTMARKS

and we thank you for your Recalling a Start, an End, service to George Washington, its alumni, alumnae, and friends. and the $13 credit-hour Throughout those years you and your associates have We were ecstatic this The Six-Decade Track reflected to us the tremendous summer to learn that After graduating from GW in growth—in quantity and GW Magazine has been 1951, I began to work on my quality—of our magazine. And honored with a bronze master’s part time while also the magazine(s) have told us the award for magazine staff working part time. GWU story with class. I don’t writing, issued by the Due to work circumstances think I have missed an issue Council for Advancement I was not able to complete my under your direction and I have and Support of Education. thesis by the deadline. Years enjoyed every one. This marks the third later, while retired in San Best wishes and good luck for consecutive year the magazine has been Diego, I wrote In Search of you and yours in the years ahead. recognized for excellence: Gold Mountain: A History of the Warren Gould, BA ’51, Last year the magazine was Chinese in San Diego, California. MA ’55, and former GW Vice awarded a silver in cover President for Resources I sent a copy of the book to the design, for an article on Austin, Texas Wow! Great job on the GW Geography Department cybersecurity, and in 2012 and later received a call from it won gold in the category publication. the department head saying that Best Articles of the Year, for It conveyed the progressive she was going to be attending All Write! a profile of an international attitude and mission of GW, it a conference in San Diego and We want to hear from art detective. brought the reader up to date on could we meet. you, too. Please write to numerous topics, and the health/ After finding out that I lacked us through the “Contact prevention theme was very three credits for an MA, she Us” link on our website, timely. said she would contact the dean gwmagazine.com, Fred Graves, MBA ’65 and have me reinstated, but I or send a letter to: Bradenton, Fla. would have to write a thesis. GW Magazine This proved to be a cumbersome Letter to the Editor process, but after almost a year 2121 Eye Street, NW my thesis was accepted and, in The Start of Something Big Suite 501 Our fall 2013 feature on With the arrival of your summer May 2014, I graduated. Washington, DC 20052 “Tree of Life” research issue, I was struck by my sense of In 1951, I paid $13 a credit was among the articles for obligation to GW: to the English hour, but the fee has risen to Please include your name, which we won the award. department and the friends I about $1,450. Too bad! degree/year, address, and made; to GW’s help in getting a Murray Kent Lee, BA ’51, MA ’14 a daytime phone number. Advice from alumni to the Fulbright Scholarship, which led San Diego, Calif. Letters may be edited Class of 2018 (Pg. 66) to two years’ study in England for clarity and space. and a master’s degree; and to GW’s employment office, which A Fond Farewell helped lead me to a 25-year Dear Heather, career in the foreign service and We knew the day had to come 10 years in four Asian countries. when you would decide to turn For advertising inquiries, Quite a lot, I’d say. over the editorship of one of please send an email to: [email protected]. O.J. Emory Jr., AA ’52, BA ’54 the country’s finest university Staunton, Va. magazines. The day has come

Corrections • In our fall issue, a caption on page 22 includes a combination of 60 iMacs and • A class note on page 73 misrepresented misspelled the name of the host of The PC virtual desktops with software for the focus of Chris Atkinson’s work. He Kalb Report. He is Marvin Kalb, not production, statistics, and design, as well examines disasters in New Orleans, Palm Martin Kalb. as 10 flatbed scanners and other amenities. Beach County, Fla., and Minot, N.D., but • An article on page 61 misstated the nature • An advertisement on page 62 omitted not in Los Angeles. of the George W.G. Stoner Learning degree information for W. Thomas Curtis. Commons. The Commons is a state-of-the Mr. Curtis has both a BA (1981) and an MS art cooperative learning space, which (1995) from GW.

4 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 GW LISNER PRESENTS

BÉLAFLECK &ABIGAIL WASHBURN DELMCCOURY &DAVIDGRISMAN

THE WORLD SOUNDS BETTER IN HERE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014 8:00PM STARTING AT $40 • TICKETS ON SALE NOW

For a complete list of events and to buy tickets, visit lisner.gwu.edu or call the box office at 202-994-6800.

FACEBOOK.COM/GWLISNER YOUTUBE.COM/GWLISNER PINTEREST.COM/GWLISNER

@GWLISNER @GWLISNER GWLISNER.TUMBLR.COM

LISN_1415_2

“Medical advances make it possible for people to survive increasingly terrible injuries, but what happens after that?” LIZ LERMAN, MA ’82, CHOREOGRAPHER OF HEALING WARS (PG. 12)

george welcomes ______16 at a glance ______18 5 questions ______19 from the archives ______20 spaces ______21 bookshelves ______22 athletics news ______24 research news ______28

GW NEWS The Corcoran’s historic 17th Street building is part of the agreement, which aims to “safeguard the Corcoran legacy for generations to come,” said GW President Steven Knapp.

[Arts] Leaders of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and Corcoran College of Art + Design, the George Washington University, and the Historic Collaboration National Gallery of Art in August received approval from the D.C. Superior Court to implement the partnership agreements that Wins Court Approval were first announced in February. The court’s ruling permits the parties to proceed with the transfer of ownership of GW, Corcoran, and National Gallery of Art move forward with plans the Corcoran’s historic 17th Street building to establish Corcoran School of the Arts and Design and the College of Art + Design to GW. The WILLIAM ATKINS WILLIAM National Gallery of Art will gain custody of

gwmagazine.com / 7 GW NEWS

begin early in October. GW also assumes custody of and care for a limited number of artworks that will remain permanently in place in the Corcoran building: the Canova Lions, the Salon Doré, and the French Mantle. The National Gallery will organize and present exhibitions of modern and contemporary art within the Corcoran building, and will maintain a Corcoran Legacy Gallery there, displaying a selection of works from the collection that are identified historically with the 17th Street landmark structure. These and other works of the Corcoran collection are being ABOVE Under the deal, GW assumes custody of the Corcoran’s Salon transferred to the custody of the National Doré, among other works of art. Gallery. LEFT Corcoran students will continue Works not accessioned by the National to work in the Corcoran buildings. Gallery are being distrubuted by the Corcoran to other art museums and appropriate entities in the D.C. area. No work Art entered into agreements with GW of art will be sold. Curators from the National and the National Gallery of Art in order to Gallery and the Corcoran have begun to work ensure a long-term, sustainable future for together on the accession and distribution the Corcoran Gallery and college and the plan, which may take up to a year. rehabilitation and renovation of the historic Corcoran building. [speakers] The agreement ensures the preservation and display of the Corcoran’s valuable collection of art, its retention in D.C., and the Clinton the art collection. continued use of space within the Corcoran “Today we take a dramatic step toward building for the exhibition of modern and realizing a dynamic partnership that contemporary art. Talks ‘Hard will safeguard the Corcoran legacy for “We now embark upon this agreement generations to come,” GW President Steven to ensure that the Corcoran collections are Choices’ Knapp said after the court’s ruling. “The stewarded as part of the nation’s cultural university looks forward to welcoming patrimony and safeguarded as a public Hillary Rodham Clinton is saying exactly Corcoran College students, alumni, faculty, resource in Washington,” said Corcoran what’s on her mind these days. and staff to the GW community and to Interim Director and President Peggy Loar. The former first lady, senator, and working with them to continue and enhance “The Corcoran school will be secretary of state said she’s “totally done” their proud tradition of innovative arts strengthened as it enlightens the next with being overly cautious about expressing education in our nation’s capital.” generation of American artists, and the herself, especially after reflecting on The collaboration maintains the historic historic Corcoran beaux arts structure will her experiences while writing the new building as a showplace for art and a home be renovated as the site for its two traditional memoir Hard Choices. Ms. Clinton’s career for the Corcoran College and its programs, purposes: educating art and design negotiating some of the world’s toughest creating a global hub for the arts at GW. It students and exhibiting historic American conflicts taught her that neither “shouting also safeguards the Corcoran’s collection. masterpieces and thought-provoking matches nor biting one’s tongue” render “This is the beginning of a collaboration contemporary art,” she said. much. Instead, she said, she believes in that will make the Corcoran collection more The Corcoran College of Art + Design has straightforwardness and honest opinions. accessible to more people in the nation’s become a part of GW and is now known as “The perspective I’ve gained has capital,” National Gallery of Art Director the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, encouraged me even more to speak to my Earl A. Powell III said. “We look forward to within GW’s Columbian College of Arts and mind and contribute what I can,” Ms. Clinton restoring and programming the galleries in Sciences. said in June, during a candid conversation the historic 17th Street building with vibrant Corcoran students continue to take with her former speechwriter and staffer exhibitions of modern art, and to exhibiting classes in the Corcoran buildings and the Lissa Muscatine at Lisner Auditorium. a significant number of works from the Corcoran School maintains its distinct The event was sponsored by GW and D.C. Corcoran collection in the Flagg Building’s identity within the Columbian College. bookstore Politics & Prose, which is co- Legacy Gallery and at the National Gallery GW assumes ownership and owned by Ms. Muscatine. Eager guests of Art.” responsibility for the Corcoran building, filled the sold-out auditorium.

In February, the Corcoran Gallery of including its renovation, which is slated to Writing Hard Choices came at a HENRY DENNY INSET: / ATKINS WILLIAM PHOTO: INTERIOR LARGE

8 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 [LAW SCHOOL] He was appointed by U.S. Supreme Court Hillary Rodham Chief Justice John G. Roberts to the Federal Clinton discussed Judicial Center Foundation Board, and her new book, Hard by the Virginia Supreme Court to serve Choices, at Lisner New Dean on a task force to study gender bias in the Auditorium in June. Virginia courts. Mr. Morant previously served as Arrives at associate dean for academic affairs and the director of the Frances Lewis Law Center at the Washington and Lee University School GW Law of Law. He also brings extensive experience in legal practice in the public and private Blake D. Morant assumed the helm sectors, including service as assistant of GW’s School of Law in September, general counsel for the Washington transitional period in Ms. Clinton’s life, just becoming dean and Robert Kramer Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and after she had left her position as secretary of Research Professor of Law, after his as a member of the U.S. Army JAG Corps, state. Although she had the luxury of a more selection by the university in June. Mr. earning the Meritorious Service Medal, flexible schedule, Ms. Clinton said that she Morant arrived at GW from the Wake First Oak Leaf Cluster. found penning the book—most of it by hand Forest University School of Law, where he on legal paper in the attic of her New York served for seven years as dean. farmhouse—a difficult task and one often “Blake Morant is not only a seasoned “I have respected and distracted by other chores, like walking the dean but also a national leader in admired the George dog and grabbing a drink of water. legal education,” says GW President “What I tried to do in the book is to give Steven Knapp. “He brings to this Washington Law the reader a bit of a peek behind the curtain, important position a proven record of School throughout because the headlines certainly tell some of accomplishments, and his extensive my career and the story—but not all of the story,” she said. leadership experience will make him an As she tended to crises at home and extremely valuable addition to our law consider serving as overseas, Ms. Clinton said, one of her school and the entire university.” its next dean to be a primary roles as secretary of state was At Wake Forest, Mr. Morant built a distinct privilege.” to boost America’s reputation abroad national reputation as an administrator, and reinforce that the United States was tireless advocate for students, and committed to being a consequential part of respected legal scholar. He has published Among his professional honors, Mr. decision-making across the globe. In Asia, extensively in his areas of scholarly focus, Morant was named the John R. Kramer she wanted to demonstrate alliances; in including contract theory, media law, and Outstanding Law Dean by Equal Europe, she wanted to rebuild relationships. administrative law. Justice Works and twice “It was a multitasking of the highest order “I have respected and admired recognized by National Jurist to try to be present, reach out, come up with the George Washington Law School magazine as one of the most new ideas, and make clear that America’s throughout my career and consider influential people in legal presence and leadership was going to be serving as its next dean to be a distinct education. He was twice front and center,” she said. privilege,” Mr. Morant says. “I look named professor of the While Ms. Muscatine didn’t directly ask forward to working with the constituency year by the Women Law whether Ms. Clinton would campaign for of this historic institution during Students Organization at the presidency in 2016, the two did discuss this time of both challenge and Washington and Lee the legacy that the former secretary of state extraordinary opportunity.” University and hopes to leave for both the American people Mr. Morant was elected to received five and her future granddaughter, due this fall. serve as president-elect of awards for “I’m not ready to stop and think about the Association of American outstanding legacy because I want to keep thinking Law Schools for 2014 and teaching at the about what my life has meant to me and president in 2015. He also University what my obligations are to my grandchild has served in numerous of Toledo and everyone else, and I’m going to do leadership positions for the College of that through the work of the Clinton American Bar Association, Law. Foundation—and other ways,” Ms. Clinton including as vice chair of the said. ABA Diversity Committee. Enthusiasts hoping Ms. Clinton will become America’s first female president interpreted her answer as a clue that she’d run, and immediately burst into applause. Blake D. Morant

CLINTON: WILLIAM ATKINS / MORANT: JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT MCCONNELL JESSICA MORANT: / ATKINS WILLIAM CLINTON: — Julyssa Lopez

gwmagazine.com / 9 GW NEWS

The museum’s elliptical staircase curves up from the lobby to the third floor of the building.

[Arts] After months of construction and preparations, the university in June offered its community an exclusive sneak peek at the progress made on the new George GW Community Previews Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. Hundreds of GW students, staff, and Museum Space faculty members toured the inside of the custom-built, four-story structure on the Four-story structure will showcase treasures of the The Textile corner of 21st and G streets that soon will Museum and the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection. house the university’s and The Textile Museum’s most treasured art. Gallery BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL

10 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 ABOVE A glass bridge connects the second floor of the new museum building to the renovated Woodhull House. BELOW Guests take in one of the new gallery spaces.

spaces will display pieces from the 90-year- old Textile Museum’s globally recognized collection of more than 19,000 objects. They date from 3000 B.C. to the present, and include some of the world’s finest examples of rugs and textiles from the Near East, Central Asia, East and Southeast Asia, Africa, and the indigenous cultures of the Americas. Other areas of the museum will be dedicated to the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, which was donated to the university in 2011. Major construction has concluded on the space. In the coming months, staff will bring the building up to museum quality and conduct extensive testing and calibration of sensitive climate control systems. At the event, the museum’s staff and curators welcomed visitors, answered House, which has been renovated to serve as transformation is gorgeous,” Ms. Wagner questions, and helped guests envision future part of the museum. said. exhibits. Guests marveled at the museum’s Kimberly Anthony and Margaret Bruce Baganz, president of The Textile stunning elliptical staircase and took in the Wagner, two staff members in the GW Police Museum’s board of trustees, said the event high ceilings of the second floor. Department, worked in Woodhull House represents a significant milestone and the The second-floor gallery links to the for 10 years when it served as campus police culmination of a lot of hard work. Albert H. Small Gallery, which will showcase offices and were amazed at how the building “Once the museum opens, we will be the historic Washingtoniana collection of has been transformed. able to expand our historic mission and objects documenting the history of D.C. “The way spaces have been merged spread richness throughout the university The gallery runs alongside a glass bridge into big gallery areas is incredible. The community, where we are limited only by our

JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL that connects to the 160-year-old Woodhull rooms have really opened up, and the imaginations,” he said. — Julyssa Lopez

gwmagazine.com / 11 GW NEWS

GW is the first university in D.C. to [DANCE] receive the premier certification for green building design. At Arena Stage, Questions Without Answers

In a compelling scene from Healing Wars, a new performance commissioned by the university, a veteran recounted the grisly car collision that caused him to lose his right leg. Paul Hurley, the actor onstage during the vignette, was telling his own story. Before becoming a performer, Mr. Hurley served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner’s mate in Bahrain. In his monologue he described the haunting aftermath of his injury: endless surgeries and hospital visits, an ever-present ghost pain, and constant memories of the accident scene. “What are the meds for that?” he asked. Healing Wars doesn’t try to answer this more sustainable environment,” says Lynn question, instead exploring broadly what it [sustainability] R. Goldman, the school’s Michael and Lori means to “heal” after the trauma of combat. Milken Dean of Public Health. The dance performance was choreographed Among its sustainable features, the by 2002 MacArthur Fellow Liz Lerman, Public Health building saves energy through efficient MA ’82, and ran through most of June at lighting controls in offices and conference D.C.’s Arena Stage. Building Goes rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows that It is the first of three plays being produced infuse the building with natural light. The as part of the National Civil War Project, a Platinum building is kept cool with the help of a green multiyear collaboration that has partnered roof and an HVAC system with chilled beams four universities with five arts organizations A little more than a month after the grand and mass air displacement technologies. to commemorate the 150th anniversary of opening of the Milken Institute School of The building is expected to reduce water the war. The project has joined the Alliance Public Health, the green building hit another use by 40 percent more than the baseline Theatre with the Emory College Center for milestone, earning a Platinum rating from standard for commercial buildings through Creativity & Arts and Emory the U.S. Green Building Council, the highest features including low-flow plumbing and University; Baltimore’s Center certification under the group’s Leadership a rainwater collection system. The green Stage with the University of in Environmental and Energy Design rating roof also will reduce stormwater runoff, and system. the native and adaptive plants used in the The 115,000-square-foot building is landscaping will require little or no water D.C.’s first university building project to after they are established. be awarded the top rating for innovative To encourage faculty members, staff, Samantha Speis dances sustainable design, and is one of only 1,100 and students to stay active, the building in Healing Wars. buildings nationwide to receive the honor. includes desks that convert into standing The achievement marks the university’s workstations, a centralized staircase ninth LEED-certified project and its first that promotes walking instead of taking Platinum rating. elevators, yoga and meditation rooms, indoor “Achieving LEED Platinum status and outdoor bike racks, locker rooms, and demonstrates our commitment to building showers to encourage exercise. a high-performance green building, one — Brittney Dunkins that promotes a healthier workplace and a INSTITUTE:MILKEN HEALINGTERESA WARS: / WILLIAM WOOD ATKINS

12 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts [STUDENTS] and their families to the GW community. Center; and the American Repertory Theater Planning for CI was launched in 1989 by with Harvard University. To bring Healing then President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Wars to the public, GW teamed up with Colonial to strengthen the campus identity. Nearly Arena Stage. 1,100 incoming undergraduate students and The performance transported its their families participated in the first CI; this audience between the Civil War and recent Inauguration summer, by comparison, more than 5,000 conflicts in the Middle East. The show’s cast students and family members attended one of of eight performers—including film actor Celebrates the five, two-and-a-half-day CI sessions. Bill Pullman and his wife, dancer Tamara Though many things about CI have Hurwitz Pullman—interpreted the cost of 25 Years changed, many traditions have remained war from every angle as they took on the the same—from the Buff and Blue BBQ roles of damaged veterans, disillusioned Though every student at GW pursues a to learning the fight song and touring the doctors, and heartbroken family members. different path after walking across the stage monuments at midnight. The programming “Looking at historic images of the Civil at Commencement, each student starts his evolves based on emerging trends in the War and seeing all the amputations, I felt an or her journey at the same place—Colonial student body: For example, CI now includes immediate connection to today’s conflicts,” Inauguration. fall and spring sessions for transfer students Ms. Lerman says. “Medical advances make The first session of CI was held during the and special workshops that address the it possible for people to survive increasingly summer of 1990. Over its 25-year history, the specific needs of international students. terrible injuries, but what happens after summer orientation program has become a — Brittney Dunkins that?” —Julyssa Lopez much-loved tradition that welcomes students

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Colonial Cabinet members coordinate their outfits with colorful sneakers in 2012; students form a conga line at the first Colonial Inauguration, held in the summer of 1990; the first Colonial Cabinet poses for a group photo in 1990; the 1999 Colonial Cabinet; students pose with the mascot, George, at CI in 1992; a Colonial Cabinet member sums up the spirit of CI in four

SNEAKERS: JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT / CHALK ART: WILLIAM ATKINS / ARCHIVAL PHOTOS COURTESY PHOTOS UNIVERSITYARCHIVAL / ARCHIVES WILLIAM ATKINS ART: CHALKSNEAKERS: / BURTJESSICA MCCONNELL words: “Welcome to the family.”

gwmagazine.com / 13 GW NEWS

President Steven Knapp joins second lady Jill Biden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for a meeting in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in June.

[AFFORDABILITy] Over the past three decades, she said, the financial aid. The university also is planning average tuition at a public four-year college partnerships with community colleges to has more than tripled. And the average create new ways for high-achieving students undergraduate student who borrows for to complete their bachelor’s degrees at GW. College Cost college will graduate with $30,000 in debt. “I see today’s White House discussion “We need to make sure that college is as one more step in an ongoing process,” affordable for all, not just a luxury for a few,” Dr. Knapp said. “It was encouraging to Is Focus Dr. Biden told the group. hear such a variety of suggestions … about College affordability has been a priority what all of us—the federal government, for the Obama administration. The president state governments, nongovernmental of White raised the maximum Pell Grant award to organizations, and colleges and universities $5,635 for the 2013-14 award year—a $905 themselves—can do together to address this increase since 2008—and the administration national challenge.” — Lauren Ingeno House Talk has worked to improve repayment options GW President Steven Knapp joined available to responsible student loan [VETERANS] Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, borrowers. second lady Jill Biden, and a diverse group The issue also has been a priority for of students, student advocates, economists, Dr. Knapp. After attending a White House GI Bill’s 70th and higher education experts at the White summit in January, in which President House in June for a discussion about college Barack Obama and first lady Michelle affordability and student loans. Obama challenged college and university Anniversary Dr. Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe presidents to increase opportunities for Biden, is a full-time English professor at low-income students, Dr. Knapp created Celebrated Northern Virginia Community College and a universitywide Task Force on Access a lifelong educator. She said she has seen and Success. The group is working with Seventy years ago, GW student Don firsthand the power of education, as well as community-based organizations to host A. Balfour, AA ’44, BA ’45, became the the financial barriers that can stand in the local workshops providing students with first veteran to receive benefits from the way of a student obtaining a degree. assistance on applications for admission and Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, more commonly known as the GI Bill. And in June, officials from the U.S. Department “We need to make sure that college is affordable of Veterans Affairs were at GW to

for all, not just a luxury for a few.” – JILL BIDEN commemorate the anniversary. ATKINS WILLIAM

14 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 veterans present at the event, many of whom Affairs Director Frank Sesno asked the four- he had spoken with during an earlier round- star general: “When you were a kid, did you table discussion. imagine all you’d achieve?” “I was really inspired as I listened to “I wasn’t standing on the corner of 123rd their stories, learned of their ambitions, Street saying to myself, ‘Self, you’re going to and witnessed their passion and desire be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff one to continue to make a difference for their day!’” Mr. Powell chuckled. “I couldn’t have country,” he said. —Lauren Ingeno dreamed those things.” Whether he envisioned it or not, his [Speakers] leadership skills ultimately guided his career trajectory. It was public interest in those skills and the lessons his career taught him that led Mr. Powell to write his latest book, Retired Vice Adm. Mel Williams Jr., Powell It Worked For Me: In Life and Leadership, associate provost for military and veterans affairs, opened the GI Bill published in 2012, which he discussed for the commemorative event. packed Lisner audience. Talks Life, For a profile published in Parade Joined by GW student veterans, magazine, the then-secretary of state was administrators, staff, and members of asked to share some quotes and words veterans’ service organizations, the group Leadership of wisdom he kept taped to his desk. The reflected on the significance of the original GI magazine published 13 frank, simple pieces Bill and discussed the future outcomes of the Colin Powell’s story has a simple beginning: of advice from Mr. Powell—a list he today Post-9/11 GI Bill. A young boy born to Jamaican parents calls the rules he lives by, and which in part “As the son of a veteran who used the GI joins the army. From there, it becomes inspired the book. Bill for education and as a veteran who used remarkable. But even following these rules, Mr. Powell the GI Bill, it’s a privilege for me to be a part He won the Purple Heart after being had a complex tenure as secretary of state— of this,” retired Vice Adm. Mel Williams wounded in the Vietnam War, and later and now, as conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine Jr., GW’s associate provost for military and received the Soldier’s Medal for rescuing dominate the news, he has been watching veterans affairs, said in his opening remarks. comrades from a burning helicopter. Mr. from the perspective of someone who’s been The GI Bill made higher education Powell, MBA ’71, served Presidents Jimmy there before. accessible to working-class Americans Carter and Ronald Reagan in key defense Despite the difficulties politicians and and their families, said Acting Secretary roles; President George H. W. Bush made foreign leaders encounter, Mr. Powell said, of Veterans Affairs Sloan Gibson, in turn him chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in effective leadership comes from those who igniting the economy and creating the middle the ’90s; and in 2001 his career catapulted have the ability to inspire a population. class. when President George W. Bush selected him “What I have found is that leadership is Notable beneficiaries of the GI Bill include as secretary of state—the highest rank an all about people,” he said. “People get work former President Gerald Ford, musician African-American had ever held in the U.S. done—it’s not the organization, it’s not the Johnny Cash, actor and film director Clint government. PowerPoint chart, it’s not the philosophy. Eastwood, and 14 Nobel laureates. But Mr. In an August interview organized by Leadership is all about inspiring a group of Gibson said the majority of beneficiaries the Smithsonian Associates at Lisner people to achieve what needs to be achieved.” of the original GI Bill are “the everyday Auditorium, School of Media and Public —Julyssa Lopez lynchpins, leaders in our communities and neighborhoods all across the country.” The Post-9/11 GI Bill became effective for millions of service members and veterans in August 2009 and provides the most generous educational VA benefits since the original GI Bill. The VA has distributed more than $41 billion in Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit payments to fund the education of more than 1.2 million beneficiaries. One of the bill’s federally funded provisions is the Yellow Ribbon Program, which GW has participated in for five years. As part of the program, GW provides full coverage of tuition and fees for undergraduate student veterans, as well as for qualified veterans and their family School of Media and Public Affairs Director Frank Sesno members pursuing law and master’s degrees. interviews Colin Powell, MBA ’71, at Lisner Auditorium.

JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT Mr. Gibson commended the GW student

gwmagazine.com / 15 GW NEWS headliners at university events “It normally takes less than george welcomes 11 seconds [to process an ATM transaction]. By “The point is the “It’s like Snakes and Ladders: You contrast, it takes move a word in the first sentence 177 days to move acceptance of of the paragraph and everything variety and not changes. It’s this wobbly, records from generalizing amoebic thing you’re working the Defense with, and eventually at the end Department to people out of of the day, it stops wobbling and existence. That becomes fixed.” Veterans Affairs. is what literature Award-winning author John You are living teaches you to Banville, speaking in March in a world of 11 during a conversation with seconds, and reject. That is writer-in-residence Molly why literature is McCloskey as part of the English the government department’s Jenny McKean bureaucracy is so revolutionary.” Moore Reading Series. Azar Nafisi, award-winning in a world of 177 author of Reading Lolita in days.” Tehran, sharing her passion Newt Gingrich, former for the written world in May speaker of the House, in a at the semester’s final lecture speech kicking off the annual of the Jenny McKean Moore National Conservative Student Reading Series, sponsored by Conference, held at GW in the English department’s July. The weeklong event, creative writing program. hosted by Young America’s Foundation, featured a lineup of conservative stars that included U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

Azar Nafisi Newt Gingrich

John Banville

16 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 “There’s a “We’ve gotten to the point where you don’t need to physically “When I was a spectrum to attack a country to debilitate it.” child, my mother violence—the Estonian President Toomas would constantly subtle, covert Hendrik Ilves, whose nation say to me, ‘Can’t name-calling is frequently touted as a premier example of strong you be the and the dramatic, technological infrastructure bigger person?’ overt action. So and Internet freedom, speaking at a forum in May hosted by And I can’t, OK? often we don’t GW’s Cybersecurity Initiative. I am the smaller recognize the Drawing lessons from cyber person.” attacks it suffered in 2007, he former until it said, Estonia quickly leveraged Humorist Fran Lebowitz, becomes the its population of just 1.3 million fielding questions from latter.” people to scale and develop Associate Professor of English defense tactics. Margaret Soltan and audience Actor and activist Ashley members in the Jack Morton Judd, speaking in April at the Auditorium as the final visitor annual Grand Chapter in the Jewish Literature Live Meeting of the GW Greek spring season, presented by the community, sponsored Department of English. by GW Greek Life, the Program Board, and the Student Association.

Ashley Judd GINGRICH, ILVES, JUDD, LEBOWITZ: WILLIAM ATKINS / NAFISI: JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT / BANVILLE: RICK REINHARD RICK BANVILLE: / BURT MCCONNELL JESSICA NAFISI: / ATKINS LEBOWITZ: WILLIAM JUDD, ILVES, GINGRICH,

Fran Lebowitz

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

gwmagazine.com / 17 GW NEWS

advocate, and filmmaker Sally nutrition, and food policy. At a Glance Nuamah, BA ’11; and physician Art B. Wong, MD ’67. The new HEART- trustees will provide leadership for GW’s strategic initiatives and FRIENDLY, will help oversee the university’s SUSTAINABLE- fiscal, academic, and physical operations. MINDED College of Arts The university was recognized and Sciences, the SMPA DEBUTS by the American Heart Graduate School Association in May as a of Education PROFESSIONAL platinum-level Fit-Friendly and Human PROGRAM Worksite, a designation awarded Development, and to employers that, among other the Naval Academy. The School of Media and Public factors, promote a wellness Company officers Affairs this summer launched culture by providing healthy will spend the first an Executive and Professional eating options, offer physical year of their three- Education Program, which activity support to their year tour as full-time leverages its signature employees, and demonstrate students. The program programs in journalism, mass measurable wellness outcomes. accepts Navy, Marine communications, and political Platinum is the program’s Corps, and Coast Guard communication to educate highest level. Also in May, GW junior officers. The first cohort professionals on strategies was awarded a gold rating for its THE (STUDENT) began the program in June. for the digital age. The open sustainability efforts from the BODY POLITIC enrollment program includes Association for the Advancement BRAZIL AT GW seminars such as “Creating of Sustainability in Higher For the second consecutive year Influence and Engagement With Education, after the university GW students were ranked the This summer marked the launch Social Media”; “Communicating outlined its efforts in the “most politically active” in the of Brasília Sem Fronteiras, or Washington” with former association’s voluntary reporting nation, according to the 2015 Brasília Without Borders, GW’s congressional press secretary database, the Sustainability edition of The Princeton Review’s international academic exchange Jake Rubin and assistant press Tracking, Assessment, and college guide, The Best 379 program in partnership with secretary/speechwriter Steve Rating System. Colleges, released in August. The the government of Brasília, Norton; and “Storytelling in top spot was awarded following Brazil’s federal capital city. the Digital Age,” led by Emmy CYBERSECURITY The Princeton Review’s survey of The four-week exchange Award-winning filmmaker 130,000 students at 379 colleges is an experiential learning Nina Seavey, director of GW’s EDUCATOR OF nationwide. The publication also program on civic engagement Documentary Center. THE YEAR recognized GW among colleges and leadership development. in highly rated cities, universities A cohort of 335 high school Diana L. Burley, a professor with the best residence halls, and and 50 college students from For more information, in the Graduate School schools with the most popular Brasília was selected from a visit smpa.gwu.edu/exec. of Education and Human study abroad programs. pool of nearly 8,000 applicants Development, was named the based on academic achievement. 2014 Cybersecurity Educator NEW MASTER’S At the opening ceremony in PARTNERSHIP of the Year at the annual AIDS U.S. NAVAL July, Brazilian Ambassador TO BOOST FOOD Colloquium for Information to the U.S. Mauro Vieira, GW RESEARCH Systems Security Education in ACADEMY President Steven Knapp, and June. Dr. Burley, a nationally other top Brazilian and GW GW has partnered with recognized cybersecurity The university has been officials welcomed the students Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit workforce expert, was selected selected to create a graduate- to Washington. focused on creating sustainable by CISSE for her contributions level leadership program for food systems. Using the to the field of cybersecurity, U.S. Naval Academy company NEW BOARD university’s Urban Food Task which include serving on high- officers—whose primary Force, the Milken Institute profile cybersecurity advisory responsibility is to serve as MEMBERS School of Public Health, the committees, receiving numerous mentors and role models—in GW’s Board of Trustees elected School of Medicine and Health National Science Foundation their first year of service. three new trustees at its June Sciences, and the Rodham awards, and publishing The 45-credit Master of Arts 20 leadership meeting: Rutgers Institute as resources, the two extensively and influentially on degree in leadership education University-Newark Associate will analyze shared data and seek public-sector IT use, knowledge and development will blend Professor Kyle Farmbry, BA opportunities for research and management, and information coursework from the Columbian ’92, MPA ’94, PhD ’99; scholar, education in the areas of food, sharing. ILLUSTRATION:ALEX MULLER

18 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 [5 Questions] how it actually plays out on the ground, because often the two will never meet. Last year we did a 41-question survey on state ... On the implementation of the Common Core. What were the takeaways? States are concerned about the “hearts and minds” aspect of implementing the Core. Common Core If you have a tea party contingent in your state that has decided to turn Common Kids have vocabulary homework, and this adopt college- and career-ready standards. Core into “ObamaCore,” you need expertise fall parents do, too. Their term? Common That hasn’t helped clear up the confusion and resources to combat that perception, Core State Standards. Developed by the between what’s federal and what’s state and many states don’t have that. They’re National Governors Association and the and local. So some people who oppose the also worried about how to marry K-12 with Council of Chief State School Officers, the set administration have rallied against Common institutions of higher learning. And they’re of voluntary K-12 education standards for Core. It’s unfortunate, because that political concerned about getting teachers the language arts and math was intended to create stuff distracts us from the important training they need to teach the Core. uniform expectations for U.S. students, but conversations we should be having about There’s an obsession with teacher implementation—as of press time, it’s in use in public education in America. It’s static. evaluation that can be damaging: Just as 43 states and D.C.—has proved controversial. states were implementing the Common Maria Ferguson, director of the Center on In states implementing the Common Core, Core, which demands a lot from teachers, Education Policy at GW’s Graduate School what differences can be expected? they were also putting into place very high- of Education and Human Development, sat It depends on the state. In the U.S., education stakes teacher evaluations. Teachers were down with GW Magazine to explain the policy is a very local enterprise. Before the Core, going to be evaluated on standards that they beneath the politics. standards differed greatly from state to hadn’t been trained to teach, against tests state. For some states, implementing higher that weren’t ready yet, and their jobs could What problems in the K-12 curriculum does standards did not represent much of a lift. depend on the results of those evaluations. the Common Core address? Massachusetts, for example, has been a very So that created a huge amount of issues, and The Common Core standards were designed high-performing state, so those students will many states have backed off that now. to ensure that all students get the skills have a relatively small jump in experience. Having said that, the polling shows that they need to compete internationally. In lower-performing states, the leap to the most teachers support the Common Core. We always talk about the United States’ Common Core is going to be significant. It would mean that, for the first time, states curriculum being a mile wide and an inch Obviously those places are going to need could confab on how to better prepare their thick, meaning we cover a lot of stuff, but more support, more resources, better students. Standardization would create not in detail. The Common Core is an effort teachers, all that stuff. And that’s difficult, comparability, so some economies of scale to create a curriculum that is narrower but because public education is funded by ZIP could develop around curricula, materials, deeper, and that focuses on things that are code in this country. Probably the places that teacher training, and so on. important in the working world: cooperation, need the most support have the least amount I have a kid who communication, analyzing difficult material, of funding. is experiencing the and defending an argument. A knowledge Common Core. It economy—and the 21st century is a What research has your center done might be because I knowledge economy—demands those things. on Common Core? am a total education Parents forget that kids are not growing The CEP’s goal is to create a robust nerd, but to me it’s up in the same world they did, competing research agenda for education policy much better. She with kids from their town or state. They’re and practice. We are nonpartisan used to bring home competing with kids from all over the world, and don’t advocate for any one issue. these ridiculous who are learning at a higher standard. We try to bridge the gap between worksheets from research and policymaking to 1969. I haven’t Why is it in the news so much right now? improve public education seen those in a The Common Core has been in the process writ large. So we’ve while. of implementation for several years, so more focused on survey work —Ruth and more attention is now being focused on around state and local Steinhardt it. There’s always been a real sensitivity in implementation— the U.S. to any kind of national oversight looking at the regarding education—even though, among intersection between industrialized nations, we are really alone the intention of in not having a national curriculum. the policy and And even though these are state-led and state-developed standards, the Obama

JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL administration has incentivized states to Maria Ferguson

gwmagazine.com / 19 GW NEWS

[From the archives] It soon will be part of the new museum that accommodates, among other things, Albert H. Small’s famous collection of Washingtoniana. But Woodhull House, A House for located at 20th and G streets, is itself an important piece of D.C. history. Built in 1855 by Maxwell Woodhull, a the History Books commander in the U.S. Navy, the Italian-style mansion would count among its residents U.S. Sen. William Henry Seward, the eventual secretary of state under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson who is now perhaps best remembered for negotiating the purchase of Alaska. The house was bequeathed to the university in 1921, upon the death of the builder’s son, Brig. Gen. Maxwell Van Zandt Woodhull, a university trustee and 1527 benefactor, according to a history in the - 6 online GW Encyclopedia. A formidable presence on campus, Gen. Woodhull was an imposing man known for his signature derby hat, gold-topped ebony cane, and tendency to haul students off the street for “some infraction of university regulations which he had witnessed in his progress up G Street,” Washington newspaper columnist and GW trustee Jessie Fant Evans, AB ’13, EdD (hon.) ’32, wrote in 1935. Ms. Evans added that “the General invariably handled these situations himself, cane in hand, without resort to university officials.” In recent years, Woodhull House has been home to a slightly less eccentric set of campus authorities: the University Police Department.

For more on the George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum, visit museum.gwu.edu. ABOVE Woodhull House in 1912. RIGHT The house today, with a pedestrian bridge connecting to the new museum building. FAR RIGHT Maxwell Van Zandt Woodhull. PHOTO:UNIVERSITY ARCHIVESZANDT VAN WOODHULL COURTESY / LIBRARY CONGRESS, OF LC-USZ 1912 PHOTO:JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT / 2014

20 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 As he planned and painted, Mr. Brannock could see workmen on a construction project a few streets away. “I’d be up on my scaffold every day, looking at those guys up on their scaffold,” he says. “A guy walked by and watched me paint for “The way they were shaping the physical growth of a long time, and he said, ‘You know, I lived Mr. Brannock spent time the area seemed like a nice way to cap the mural.” in that building that you’re painting.’ He at the University Archives described what it was like to grow up here and the National Building and how the neighborhood has changed.” Museum learning about the neighborhood. In this image of President James Monroe signing GW’s charter, even the light fixtures are historically accurate. The “foggy” part of Foggy Bottom comes from the neighborhood’s industrial past, including as home to the Christian Heurich Brewing Company, pictured in the mural (depicted by the copper tank at the far left).

“It was important to me that the largest figure wasn’t James Monroe, but instead these two anonymous young girls, who walked past once while I was working. They’re just as important as a president or a famous scientist or the people building the buildings.”

Mr. Brannock says he was interested in a complicated moral reading of progress. Some innovations, he says, are historical dead-ends—hence this depiction of a lobotomy. Walter Jackson Freeman II and James W. Watts, the nation’s foremost practitioners of the procedure, both worked for decades at GW in the early- and mid-20th century.

[SPACES] Art Imitates Life

When artist Calder Brannock, BA ’07, was approached just after his graduation about painting a mural on the side of campus grocery store FoBoGro, he accepted immediately—even though he’d never done anything like it before. He’d long been interested in the power of situating art in context, he says, and creating the mural at 2140 F Street NW seemed like an exciting new way to explore that. “One thing I like about public art is that it doesn’t demand reverence,” he says. “This is a casual space—we’re in an alley. That gives people the opportunity to own their viewing experience. It’s up to you how

WILLIAM ATKINS WILLIAM you want to relate to the artwork, or if you want to engage with it at all.” — Ruth Steinhardt

gwmagazine.com / 21 GW NEWS

showcasing new books by gw professors and alumni The Last Blank Spaces: Exploring Africa and bookshelves Australia (Harvard University Press, 2013) Dane Kennedy British explorers tended, at least initially, to treat the continents of Africa and Australia as if they were uncharted oceans, which needed to be mapped and logged carefully using the best scientific instruments and techniques. That changed when boots actually hit the ground, according to this new book by Dane Kennedy, the Elmer Louis Kayser Professor of History and International Affairs at GW. Local guides proved much more useful to the explorers when it came to navigating these lands. As John Barrow, the undersecretary of the British admiralty, observed in the early 19th century, Africa represented “almost a blank on our charts,” Dr. Kennedy quotes the official as saying. “So little indeed has our knowledge of this great continent kept pace with the increased knowledge of other parts of the world, that it may rather be said to have retrograded.” In filling that void, locals were vital. “Where [explorers] went and how they got there was often predicated on what they learned from guides, go-betweens, and other indigenous peoples,” Dr. Kennedy writes. “So too was their access to food, water, shelter, and other necessities.” Although plenty of other books examine exploration in Africa and Australia, Dr. Kennedy says his book is unique in its comparative focus on the two continents, which the British explored from the late 18th to late 19th centuries. That approach, he says, “can illuminate similarities and differences that otherwise tend to get lost in the accounts of particular explorers and expeditions.” And by concentrating on Filling in the Blanks collective movements, rather than individual heroics or misadventures, the book studies exploration in the way that explorers and It’s well known that 19th-century British explorers sought to shape their sponsors would have seen it, “as a the lands they “discovered” in Europe’s image. GW professor Dane specialized, scientific practice,” he says. Kennedy’s new book examines a lesser-known narrative—the ways Dr. Kennedy emphasizes that explorers weren’t independent actors operating in which British explorations in Africa and Australia relied on native through sheer force of will. “They were experts who, after all, knew the terrain like their own backyards. subject to various forms of oversight and

/ By Menachem Wecker, MA ’09 / constraint” from governments, intermediary BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL

22 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 states, and indigenous writes, examines “a pervasive for a democratically elected city’s geographic location and populations, he says. “Far from intercourse among tongues in official from a sovereign state, its citizens’ diplomatic relations acting as confident agents of a everyday life,” and it attends such as Israel’s first president, with their neighbors, Dr. Smith superior civilization, explorers “to the manifold forms of social David Ben-Gurion, to have self- notes, helped Palmyrenes often found themselves confused, leveling engendered by urban identified as a colonial subject? forge an identity that blended fearful, and dependent. commerce.” Not only did the That puzzle and others drive Dr. elements of Roman, Iranian, They may have provided the business and legal terminology Robinson’s book, which delves and Arabian cultures. The information that the British and that were used for medieval into the “contradictions that book focuses on two aspects other Europeans subsequently commerce in London shape emerged from Israel’s foundation of Palmyrene civilization in used to conquer the two the ways that poets of the time as a liberal settler state—a the first three centuries: the continents, but they themselves wielded language, the book modern colonial polity whose creation of “Palmyrene identity” were not conquerors.” reveals, but writers shifted procedural democracy was and of Palmyra as “an urban Dr. Kennedy, who became between languages for artistic established by forcibly removing community in a volatile frontier interested in this subject while reasons. Those writers used most of the indigenous majority zone.” writing his previous book—a “different languages to develop from within its borders” and biography of 19th-century distinct expressive registers, to maintaining control over the anthropologist and explorer stylize certain types of speech, or destinies of those who remained. Richard Burton—says he shared to evoke a vivid sense of place.” “many of the stereotypical Although Chaucer is often notions of who the explorer was called the “father of English and what motivated him, and poetry,” he spoke French and was surprised to discover that Latin and traveled to Flanders, the reality was far more complex France, Italy, and Iberia; and interesting.” William Caxton, a printer, lived in Bruges and Cologne before settling in Westminster. These writers not only contributed to the development of English, Dr. Hsy suggests, but also were “wayfarers in medias res—textual creators who are spatially, linguistically, and temporarily ‘in the middle of Bas Jan Ader: Death Is things.’” Elsewhere (University of Chicago Press, 2013) Alexander Dumbadze Roman Palmyra: Identity, A fascinating portrait of the Community, and State enigmatic Dutch performance Formation (Oxford University artist Bas Jan Ader, who was lost Press, 2013) at sea after setting sail in 1975, Andrew M. Smith II emerges from Professor of Art The city of Palmyra, an oasis History Alexander Dumbadze’s midway between Damascus thorough book. When Mr. and the Euphrates River, rose Ader met his future wife, he in the ancient world from lifted his shirt and announced humble origins to become a that his belly button was one Trading Tongues: Merchants, powerful and wealthy urban of the world’s five finest; at the Multilingualism, and Medieval fixture, due in large part to its wedding, he wore crutches Literature (Ohio State situation on caravan routes. because “he simply thought it University Press, 2013) It was “a crossroads between was funny to fake an injury.” The Jonathan Hsy east and west,” Andrew M. stunt also related to Mr. Ader’s Medieval English writers, such Smith II, assistant professor of larger body of work focused as Geoffrey Chaucer, didn’t Citizen Strangers: Palestinians classics, writes in his new book. on falling. Dr. Dumbadze only write in English, Associate and the Birth of Israel’s The Palmyrenes represented contextualizes Mr. Ader’s falls Professor of English Jonathan Liberal Settler State (Stanford a “secure and stable presence within art movements of the Hsy notes in this book. Chaucer, University Press, 2013) in an otherwise volatile desert 1970s, as well as the artist’s for example, was a customs Shira Robinson frontier” and “handled not only Christian upbringing, wherein official, and his poetry featured What does it mean, asks Shira the movement of material goods falls might relate to mankind’s French and Latin merchant Robinson, associate professor of across the frontier but also the biblical fall from grace in the

JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL jargon. The book, Dr. Hsy history and international affairs, exchange of information.” The eyes of God.

gwmagazine.com / 23 GW NEWS ATHLETICS NEWS AthleticS news

24 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 Junior guard Kethan Savage [MEN’S BASKETBALL] Momentum on Its Side, Men’s Basketball Aims Higher From dark horses to big dogs, what a difference a year made for the GW men’s basketball program. This time a year ago, the Colonials were viewed as being only on the cusp of competing with the top of an increasingly rigorous Atlantic 10 conference. Now after a 2013-14 season in which they equaled the second- most wins in program history, with 24, and finished third in a league that sent six teams to the NCAA Tournament, they’re projected not only to compete for the 2015 A-10 championship but also to contend for a second straight trip to the big dance. And, more than ever in team history, they’ll be doing that in the spotlight, with a record-high 14 nationally televised games. “We’re really excited going into this season,” says head coach Mike Lonergan, whose contract was extended after last season through 2020-21. “We’ve got five veteran guys, and a lot of our five freshmen will find themselves in the rotation. We first have to mesh in the new guys with the veterans and build team chemistry, then try to figure out what our rotation will be. But I think we’ll have more depth this year and have a very good chance to be successful and reach our goals.” GW will attempt to exceed expectations yet again behind one of the most experienced and talented junior classes in all of Division I basketball: guards Joe McDonald and Kethan Savage, all-conference second team

GW ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS ATHLETICS GW wing Patricio Garino, and

gwmagazine.com / 25 GW NEWS ATHLETICS NEWS

who garnered the nickname [by the numbers] Prince Harry of Harlem for “WE’RE HOPING TO his ball-handling brilliance on GET BETTER CROWDS the courts of New York City, is The Year’s Stats EARLY AND MAKE expected to partner with Mr. The Department of Athletics and Recreation strives to build student- THE SMITH CENTER McDonald and Mr. Savage in athletes into champions in competition but also in the classroom THE PLACE TO BE the backcourt, while forwards and in the community. Here’s a look at a few of the department’s Matt Cimino and Anthony Swan achievements in those areas in 2013-14. THROUGHOUT 2014-15." also are expected to contribute - HEAD COACH MIKE LONERGAN through their ability to stretch defenses with their size and shooting. True to Mr. Lonergan’s forward Kevin Larsen, the mantra of needing to play the A-10’s Most Improved Player best to be the best, GW will of 2013-14. The quartet has been embark on one of its most instrumental to the growth of challenging schedules in the program since their arrival program history, with a non- 8,471 in Foggy Bottom in the summer conference slate that features of 2012, but for the first time defending ACC champion the team’s potential lies in their Virginia, two opponents from COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS hands as upperclassmen. both the Big Ten (Rutgers and PERFORMED BY STUDENT-ATHLETES That four-man junior class Penn State) and the Big East will be aided by the return of (Seton Hall and DePaul), and senior forward John Kopriva a loaded eight-team field at ATLANTIC 10 COMMISSIONER'S and sophomore guard Nick the Diamond Head Classic in Griffin, as well as the addition Honolulu during the Christmas HONOR ROLL MEMBERS* of junior forward Ryan McCoy, holiday. now eligible after sitting out last That non-conference slate season following his transfer will lead into an expanded 38 from Manhattan College. The 18-game A-10 schedule, with students team also will rely heavily on a Mr. Lonergan’s aim “to come were named heralded five-member freshman in the top third in the regular academic all- class for depth off the bench and season and hopefully win conference possible starting roles. an A-10 championship.” The SPRING ’14 FALL ’13 performers. Rookie forward Darian league docket is highlighted by Bryant is the sixth Washington marquee home games against Post All-Met signee in Mr. NCAA Tournament participants Lonergan’s three years at GW, Dayton, Massachusetts, Saint GRADUATES the latest in a local recruiting Louis, and VCU, as well as IN THE CLASS OF 2014 pipeline that includes Mr. conference newcomer Davidson Griffin, Mr. McDonald, and Mr. and “Revolutionary Rivalry” (SEVEN GRADUATE STUDENTS) Savage, as well as 2013 stars and opponent George Mason. graduates Isaiah Armwood and “One of our goals is going Maurice Creek. to be to go undefeated at home. Mr. Bryant and fellow We came close last year when SPRING ’14 DEPARTMENT freshman Yuta Watanabe—who we had tremendous fan support will be just the third player from from alumni and students, and Japan to compete in NCAA we’re hoping to build on that,” Division I basketball—are likely Mr. Lonergan says. “The Smith to make an immediate impact in Center became a very difficult the frontcourt. “I think because place to play, especially late in GPA of the position Yuta plays, along the year. We’re hoping to get (ALL-TIME PROGRAM RECORD) with his height and ability to better crowds early and make shoot the ball, he will have an the Smith Center the place to be mentorship pairings were made between impact and play major minutes throughout 2014-15.” alumni and junior and senior student- right away. We’re going to need athletes in a pilot program created by GW that from him,” Mr. Lonergan 40 Athletics and its national advisory council. says. For ticket information,

Rookie guard Paul Jorgensen, visit gwsports.com/tickets. *denotes student-athletes with at least a 3.0 GPA COMMUNICATIONS ATHLETICS GW GRAPHIC:

26 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 has taken major steps toward hometowns, while New Jersey that goal. native Jada Matthews was In the 2012-13 season the a McDonald’s All-America Colonials posted their first A-10 nominee. In addition, local championship win in five years. product Kelli Prange was a A year later, GW made even Washington Post All-Met first bigger strides, advancing to team selection out of nearby the conference semifinals and Damascus High School, and the third round of the Women’s Colombian Camila Tapias was National Invitation Tournament. selected to play in the SchollyMe The team finished the season All-World Game. with a 23-11 overall record—a The Atlantic 10 traditionally 12-win improvement in just has been one of the top two seasons—and posted an conferences in Division I and last Venus Williams and Martina 11-5 mark in the A-10 to tie for season proved no different, as the Hingis competed in July at second in the league standings league sent seven teams to the GW’s Smith Center. and earn a first-round bye in the postseason. With a versatile mix conference tournament. of seasoned vets and promising The Colonials return a strong newcomers, GW women’s [professional TENNIS] D.C.’s southwest waterfront, nucleus, anchored by junior basketball aims to reclaim what where nearly every home match Jonquel Jones, senior Chakecia used to be Colonials’ tradition: Pro Tennis was a sold-out event. The season Miller, and sophomores Caira finishing atop the conference. brought professional tennis back Washington and Hannah Returns, to the Smith Center for the first Schaible. Ms. Jones, a 6-foot-4 time since the Virginia Slims forward, asserted herself as one For ticket information, Packs Smith of Washington women’s event of the best post players in the visit gwsports.com/tickets. in 1990. Prior to that, the arena Atlantic 10 last season, Center hosted the event from 1982 to becoming the only player 1986 and 1977 to 1979. The Smith in the league to average Junior forward Tennis superstars Venus Center also hosted the Volvo a double-double on the Jonquel Jones Williams and Martina Hingis Classic men’s event from 1976 to year en route to all- competed at the Charles E. 1980. conference second team Smith Center in July in one of More than 20 Hall of Famers honors. Her frontcourt the highlights of the Washington have played at the Smith mate, Ms. Washington, was Kastles’ fourth consecutive Center, including Arthur Ashe, named A-10 Rookie of the Year championship season, which Bjorn Borg, Chris Evert, John and earned all-conference brought professional tennis back McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, third team accolades after to campus for the first time in and WTT co-founder Billie Jean leading the A-10 in field more than two decades. King. goal percentage and Ms. Williams and Ms. offensive rebounding. Hingis—with a combined 12 [WOMEN’S BASKETBALL] Ms. Miller has been singles and 25 doubles Grand one of the top defensive Slam titles between them— players in the league competed for the Kastles in their Women’s since her arrival in Foggy new home at the Smith Center. Bottom three years ago, and Before a franchise-record crowd Basketball she was voted to the conference’s of 3,275, the old rivals turned all-defensive team last March. teammates played for the first Looks to Ms. Schaible, meanwhile, started time as doubles partners and nearly every game as a freshman led the Kastles to a 23-18 victory Top the A-10 and injected a shot of energy over the Texas Wild. every time she was on the court Later in the month, their When Jonathan Tsipis was during her inaugural campaign. team went on to win its fourth named head coach of the Mr. Tsipis and his staff consecutive Mylan World women’s basketball team in added five highly-decorated TeamTennis championship with April 2012, he was tasked with freshmen for the 2014-15 season. a five-set sweep of the Springfield re-establishing the Colonials as Philadelphia native Mia Farmer Lasers. The title is the team’s a national power and the most and Brianna Cummings, who fifth in six years. dominant team in the Atlantic 10 hails from outside Atlanta, were The Kastles came to Foggy Conference. In just two seasons each named player of the year by

KASTLES: WILLIAM ATKINS/BASKETBALL: GW ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS ATHLETICS GW ATKINS/BASKETBALL: WILLIAM KASTLES: Bottom after three seasons on with Mr. Tsipis at the helm, GW publications in their respective

gwmagazine.com / 27 GW NEWS

as many species as possible. That salt intolerance. However, when Research news allows us to track back through Dr. Pyron began completing his time, not only how different analysis, he noticed a number of species are related, but also how cases that could not be explained they moved from place to place.” by old age. For instance, one Biologists have long group of frogs found in Australia hypothesized that the and New Guinea emerged long [BIOLOGy] ecosystem. But there have been distribution of amphibians after the continental divide, but few attempts to understand has been driven by two major is deeply rooted within a group exactly when and how frogs, processes: vicariance, in which of amphibians that exists only in How toads, salamanders, and the a population is separated by South America. wormlike caecilians spread a geophysical event, like the “You wouldn’t think that frogs Amphibians across the planet over the past fragmentation of supercontinent would be able to swim all the way 300 million years. Pangaea, and dispersal, in which there, but that seems like one of Went Global In what’s being called the first the population travels across the more likely explanations,” large-scale study of its kind, Alex land bridges or short distances Dr. Pyron says. “They’re 120 Study finds that Pyron, an assistant professor of across oceans. million years too late to have amphibians may have biology, has pieced together the Dr. Pyron’s findings, walked to Australia.” spread by swimming evolutionary and geographic published online in June in Next Dr. Pyron intends to journey of more than 3,000 the journal Systematic Biology, study whether any specific great distances, in amphibian species, including confirmed both hypotheses, quality, such as tolerance to addition to short swims nearly half of all existing species but also suggested a surprising salt water, allows some groups and moving with and from every taxonomic group. third: Some amphibians may of amphibians to be better over land masses. “There have been smaller- have swum long distances from dispersers. He has also begun to scale studies, but they included one landmass to another within conduct a similar analysis with only a few major lineages and the past few million years. lizards and snakes to see if the With more than 7,000 known were very broad,” Dr. Pyron Past studies have assumed same distribution patterns hold species, amphibians can be found says. “What we needed was that long-distance, over-water up. —Lauren Ingeno on six of the seven continents a large-scale phylogeny [or dispersal was essentially and in nearly every type of evolutionary tree] that included impossible for amphibians due to [NEUROLOGy] On/Off Alex Pyron Switch for Cognition

While mapping the brain activity of a patient with severe epilepsy, researchers think they may have inadvertently discovered the linchpin of consciousness. “Consciousness has to do with widely distributed networks interacting with one another,” says Mohamad Koubeissi, an associate professor of neurology and director of the GW’s Epilepsy Center. “I was surprised to see that there was one region of the brain that, through electrical stimulation, could result in this global alteration of consciousness—with many spheres of cognition being paralyzed in just one moment.” Dr. Koubeissi and his colleagues described their

findings in a case report ATKINS WILLIAM

28 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 full spectrum in between, he Institute and published online in emphasizes. The woman in the June in the American Journal of experiment remained upright and Preventive Medicine. awake when the brain region was The research team, led by stimulated, while her cognition Associate Professor Lorien C. seemed to simultaneously turn Abroms, studied participants off. enrolled in Text2Quit—a The finding has yet to be mobile-based smoking cessation replicated in other patients. Dr. program, licensed by GW to the Koubessi believes it could have firm Voxiva Inc., which offers significant clinical implications personalized advice on kicking for understanding and treating, the habit based on a user’s quit for instance, coma patients, date. The Text2Quit program epilepsy, and some mental health also allows participants to disorders. —Lauren Ingeno ask for more help, to receive a distracting tip or game to offset Preliminary research suggests the left claustrum (highlighted [public health] cravings, or to reset a quit date here) may act as an “on/off switch” for human consciousness. if they need more time. More than 75,000 people in the United Quitting? States have enrolled in the published in August in the journal woman to repeat and recall a program. Epilepsy and Behavior. series of three words. After she There’s an For the study, Dr. Abroms The researchers had been successfully repeated the first two and her colleagues recruited 503 trying to identify the origin of words, Dr. Koubeissi stimulated App for That smokers online and randomly seizures in a 54-year-old patient the electrode near her claustrum If you’re craving a cigarette, a assigned them to receive by mapping her brain function; and said the third word. When text-messaging program can Text2Quit or self-help material. to do that they were stimulating he turned off the stimulation and help you fight the urge to light At the end of six months, the electrodes that had been asked the patient to repeat what up, according to a new study researchers sent out a survey implanted in her brain. he had said, she repeated his first by researchers at the Milken to find out how many people in As the woman read from a two words correctly—but was Institute School of Public Health. each group had stopped smoking text, the researchers stimulated unaware that he had even spoken More than 11 percent of smokers and biochemically verified the a region near a thin sheet of a third. who used a text-messaging smoking status of those who said neurons called the left claustrum. “The conclusion is that this program to help them quit did they had quit. The woman immediately stopped one specific spot may be heavily so and remained smoke free at “Text messages seem to reading, stopped moving, and connected with all of the widely the end of a six-month study, give smokers the constant stared blankly at the researchers distributed networks that serve compared with just 5 percent reminders they as her breathing slowed. When consciousness,” Dr. Koubeissi of controls, according to the need to stay focused the stimulation was turned off, says. new research, funded by on quitting,” Dr. she resumed consciousness, with While being awake and the National Cancer Abroms says. no memory of the incident. alert and, alternatively, being “However, additional In investigating it further, in a coma are two extremes studies must be done to Dr. Koubeissi says he asked the of consciousness, there is a confirm this result.”

“We have a dam that’s protecting us from this flood of bacteria—and the dam is antibiotics. Each time one of these types of bacteria becomes resistant to all of those antibiotics, it’s like water coming over the dam. So with each new strain of bacteria, more and more water is going to start flowing through.”

—Lance Price, an epidemiologist and professor in the Milken Institute School of Public Health, speaking to GW Today about his research— pioneering the use of genetics to understand the creation and spread of superbugs—and the topic of the new documentary Resistance, in which he’s featured as an expert.

PHOTO COURTESY MOHAMAD KOUBEISSICOURTESYMOHAMAD PHOTO To read the full story, visit go.gwu.edu/resistancefilm.

gwmagazine.com / 29 GW NEWS RESEARCH

The D.C. metropolitan region has been ranked the most walkable urban metro area in the nation.

[URBAN STUDIES] Analysis, in conjunction with based evidence that walkable almost evenly split between the LOCUS, an advocacy coalition of urban places can generate city and the suburbs. Smart Growth America. extraordinary economic value.” By comparison, Mr. D.C. Sets “There is a structural shift The report ranked the Leinberger says, “the vast occurring in how real estate is nation’s 30 largest metropolitan majority of walkable urbanism the Pace for developed in this country—from areas, assessing the number of in New York is on Manhattan, drivable suburban sprawl to walkable urban places in each where 8 percent of the Walkability walkable urbanism,” says the and the percentages of office and population lives in only 0.3 center’s chair, Christopher B. retail space found there. percent of the landmass of the The D.C. metropolitan region Leinberger, who led the research The D.C. area’s top spot is due region.” —Brittney Dunkins has been ranked the most and serves as the Charles in part to its having the highest walkable urban metro area in Bendit Distinguished Scholar at percentage of total office and the nation, according to a report GW’s School of Business. “We retail space located within its For more on this story, released in June by GW’s Center wanted to document that trend walkable areas, the report found. visit gwtoday.gwu.edu/ for Real Estate and Urban and provide concrete, market- And its walkable spaces were dc-sets-pace-walkability.

THE TOP 6 2 NEW YORK 6 SEATTLE 38% WALKABLE 23 227% 7+K+ 66 36+K+ 5 CHICAGO

URBAN 29% 38 27+K+ 3 BOSTON

METRO 36% 37 36+K+ AREAS 4 SAN FRANCISCO 57 330% 7+K+ 1 WASHINGTON, D.C. NUMBER OF WALKABLE URBAN PLACES 45 43% SHARE OF OFFICE AND RETAIL

SPACE IN WALKABLE PLACES 45+K+ MCGLASSON GRAPHIC:JOHN / ATKINS WILLIAM PHOTO:

30 / gw magazine / Fall 2014

...I had been accepted into GW, given financial aid and a promise that they believed in me... // ...this achievement made me realize what you can really do at a place like GW... // ...As a first-generation American, this was daunting for all of us, but I knew coming to GW would fulfill my dreams to see the world and change it... // ...I realized that I did not come to GW simply Ito AM receive ONE a degree... OF // ...there is no doubt in my mind that the goals I can accomplish is thanks to the education I receive at GEORGEGW and the generosity WASHINGTON'S of the network of alumni... // ...I had been accepted intoCITIZEN GW, given financial LEADERS aid and a promise that they believed in me... // STUDENT...this achievement VETERAN made me realize what you can really do at a place like GW... // ...As a first-generation American, this CUBAN AMERICAN was daunting for all of us, but I knew coming to GW would fulfill my dreams to see the worldGLOBAL and change CITIZEN it... // ...I realized that I did not come to GW simplyCANCER to receive aRESEARCHER degree... // ...there is no doubt in my mind that the goals I can accomplishDIPLOMAT is thanks to the education I receive at GW and theFUTURE generosity of PUBLICthe network SERVANT of alumni... // ...I had been accepted into GW, given financialCOLONIAL aid and a promise that they believed in me... // ...this achievementDREAMER made me realize what you can really do at a place like GW...U.S. // NAVY ...As a first-generation VETERAN American, this was daunting for all of us, but I knewSURVIVOR coming to GW would fulfill my dreams to see the world andAND change BECAUSE it... // ...I realized OF GWthat I did not come to GW simplyI to AM receive MAKINGa degree... // ...there HISTORY is no doubt in my mind that the goals I can accomplish is thanks to the education I receive at GW and the generosity of the network of alumni... // ...I had been accepted into GW, given financial aid and a promise that they believed in me... // ...this achievement made me realize what you can really do at a place like GW...32 / gw magazine // ...As / Fall 2014 a first-generation American, this was daunting for all of us, but I knew coming to GW would fulfill my dreams to see the Marwan Sulaiman picked up the phone and dialed the number for home, which at this point in his life was a bit relative. His parents were in Iraq; he was in Connecticut, taken in by an Making American family a few years earlier as war ripped through his native country. Now Mr. Sulaiman had received word of his acceptance to the George Washington University. He wanted to share the news. The phone rang and seven time History, One zones away a sleepy voice answered. “I woke them up in the middle of the night,” Mr. Sulaiman said, recalling the 2010 conversation. “They were ecstatic. “I said, ‘Don’t congratulate me yet; I haven’t figured out financial aid.’” Experience The cost was going to be a major problem for Mr. Sulaiman, who had left the Middle East as a teenager, his family split by violence and uncertainty. At age 15 he had been forced to move from Baghdad to at a Time Kurdistan because of the war in Iraq. A year later, he was in Connecticut, where he lived throughout high school. Mr. Sulaiman isn’t one for The university embarks on hyperbole. His story didn’t require it then, and it doesn’t now. In the spring of 2010 he had no idea how he would pay for college. And then he got a a philanthropic campaign message informing him that he had received a scholarship covering all four years at GW. to expand support for “That moment changed my life,” he said, speaking at an event this spring celebrating benefactors and students, ahead of his graduation in May. students, academic “People had more faith in me than I had in myself.” His story is unique but not an programs, and research, anomaly. Providing more students with access to college—and to enhanced academics and research opportunities once they get there—is a central tenet taking a leap toward of GW’s mission to educate what the university namesake in his last will and testament called “citizen- the “full greatness that leaders.” It’s also the vision behind the most ambitious campaign in the university’s 193-year history, a $1 billion philanthropic effort was always in this that will bring GW into its third century by celebrating the past and university’s future.” providing for the future.

Marwan Sulaiman

WILLIAM ATKINS WILLIAM BY JAMES IRWIN

gwmagazine.com / 33 “Making History: The Campaign has worked for the Peace Corps, interned at Through the campaign GW aims to raise for GW,” which formally launched on the White House, and volunteered on campus $1 billion to expand student support and June 20, has raised more than $525 million as a student liaison to the alumni community academic programs, and to help break to date. The campaign aims to expand and on the Colonial Cabinet, which welcomes new ground by building modern research academic programs, enhance student and helps orient incoming freshmen. facilities—like the new Milken Institute support, and develop capital projects— “At 21, I am more than my circumstances, School of Public Health building, at right— creating opportunities that pay tribute to the more than a statistic of a youth without a and by supporting the research of faculty members and students, particularly work Founding Father who envisioned a university home,” she said. “I am a dreamer, a planner, that crosses the traditional boundaries in the nation’s capital that would serve as and an achiever working toward a life between fields. America’s intellectual hub. in public service. I am a hard worker, a “What George Washington would motivator, a citizen leader.” recognize today is our continuing mission to She and Mr. Sulaiman are the tip of the yourself a disservice if that’s the reason you educate citizen leaders for the world,” GW iceberg. William Murphy, a junior in the don’t study economics. Emanuel, you’d be President Steven Knapp said at the campaign School of Engineering and Applied Science, good at it!’” launch event in June, held on the grounds matriculated to GW with the support of a Mr. Johnson, who now serves as president of Washington’s Mount Vernon estate. “In SEAS merit scholarship, an alumni grant, of GW Student Veterans, never did pick up those respects we have remained faithful and as the recipient of the Nelson and that minor in economics; he added it as a to our founding vision for nearly 200 years. Michele Carbonell Engineering Endowed second major instead. Tonight we’re announcing an ambitious goal Scholarship. He has been working in cancer “He challenged me to confront my fears that will enable us to implement the strategic research since his freshman year and now and become a courageous student in the plan that was unanimously adopted last year leads his own research project. same way my training in the Navy taught me by the Board of Trustees and provides the Emanuel Johnson, a senior in the to be a fearless leader,” Mr. Johnson said. “I blueprint for achieving the full greatness that Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, knew from my time in the Navy that a strong was always in this university’s future.” grew up on the South Side of Chicago “in a support system can take you to great heights. Much of that greatness resides in the neighborhood riddled with drugs and gang I was unaware such a strong support system student body. Of the campaign’s $1 billion violence.” He joined the U.S. Navy out of existed on GW’s campus.” goal, $400 million is earmarked for student high school, serving from 2006 to 2013, and support—half of which will go to Power & enrolled at GW afterward. The educational experiences and Promise Fund scholarships, like the ones “I immediately saw all the great opportunities that attracted those students to received by Marwan Sulaiman and Maddison possibilities at GW,” Mr. Johnson said during GW—the academics, the use of Washington Bruer. She too had an improbable path to the events surrounding the launch. “But I as an extension of the classroom, and the college, rife with obstacles. Though now a also had another conflicting emotion: Was I emphasis on research—are the focus of senior in the Elliott School of International actually prepared to come and be successful? the other half of the campaign. While the Affairs, six years ago she was living in an I knew I wanted to study political science. university aims to raise $400 million for abandoned trailer without electricity and I also had a deep interest in economics, but student support, it also is seeking $500 without her family. math terrified me.” million for academic programs and $100 “I was homeless, hitching rides to school Mr. Johnson enrolled in Associate million to break new ground both literally with anybody I could,” she told those Professor of Economics Roberto Samaniego’s and intellectually, by building modern assembled at the launch event. “By age 16 I introductory macroeconomics course during research facilities and supporting the was living in a youth homeless shelter trying his first semester, sitting in the front row research of faculty members and students, to pick up what was left of my life.” of a large lecture hall, “hanging on every particularly work that crosses the traditional In the face of tremendous odds, Ms. Bruer word.” About a third of the way through the boundaries between fields. never lost sight of her academic dreams, course, he said, Dr. Samaniego asked if he In those endeavors the “Making History” researching international affairs programs was considering a minor in economics. Mr. campaign will propel new initiatives, like around the country, determined to make Johnson told him of his fear of math. the development of accelerated BA/MA education the key to a better life. She found “He told me to get over it,” Mr. Johnson programs and other goals in GW’s strategic it in Washington, D.C., and at GW, where she recalled. “He said, ‘You would be doing plan [see sidebar on page 36], while building BURT MCCONNELL JESSICALAB: / REINHARD RICK COMMENCEMENT:

34 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 “I Am

Making Phyllis Goldfarb, the Jacob Burns Foundation Professor of Clinical Law and associate dean for clinical affairs History” Hometown: Sandusky, Ohio During events surrounding the “[The Jacob Burns Community campaign launch, students Legal Clinics] are a place in the and faculty members spoke curriculum where law comes to candidly of the journeys that life. Students represent clients who led them to GW and of the wouldn’t otherwise have access to impact of the institution, legal assistance; real people with punctuated by the ending “... real legal problems. ... Thousands and because of GW I am making of people have obtained justice that on the progress of earlier efforts. history.” Some are excerpted might otherwise have eluded them. ... For instance, the university has made a classroom of the here, with light edits. Our benefactors enable us to make a cityscape through its more than a century of partnership difference in the lives of our students with the Smithsonian Institution, particularly within the GW and our clients.” departments of biology, anthropology, and American studies, as well as the Department of Fine Arts and Art History; a course in media history offered by the School of Media and Public Affairs is conducted entirely at the nearby Newseum; and law students offer their expertise through pro bono programs, Emanuel Johnson while students of medicine and public health offer primary Hometown: Chicago care, nutrition education, and cooking demos to underserved Major: Political science and communities. In one history class, meanwhile, students examine economics Maddison Bruer primary documents and resources to chronicle D.C. history Class of 2015 Hometown: Norman, Okla. in an interactive online exhibit. Last year, half of the students Major: International affairs “I embarked on this journey not in the course were enrolled in GW’s Early College Program, a Class of 2015 for myself, but for the individuals partnership with the School Without Walls, a D.C. public high I will represent in the future [as a “At age 13 I was fighting acne and school located on the Foggy Bottom Campus. public servant], for the people in my fretting over what backpack I would Access is at the core of creating opportunities for students, neighborhood who have not had use … By age 15 my mother landed and earlier this year GW launched a universitywide task force the same opportunities I have had, in prison and I was homeless … By aimed at bolstering efforts to ensure the academic success of for my nephew who enlisted in the age 17 I was studying for the ACT, lower-income students. In June, the College of Professional Navy two years ago. I came to equip researching international affairs Studies’ program for community college graduates pursuing myself with the tools to take on any programs across the country, and bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, and challenge this world has to offer.” saying ‘I will succeed.’ By age 18 I mathematics received more than $600,000 from the National had been accepted into GW, given Science Foundation to support scholarships. And Board of financial aid and a promise that they believed in me. Since coming to GW I Trustees member Mark R. Shenkman, MBA ’67, and his wife, have found the family that I lost.” Rosalind, recently donated $5 million to support the GW Career Services Enhancement Initiative and the F. David Fowler Career Center at the School of Business. On the research front, the university’s focus on building cross-disciplinary collaborations, which seek to bring an array Michelle Suarez of perspectives to some of the world’s most pressing issues, has Hometown: Miami recently given rise to universitywide institutes and initiatives BA ’12 (international affairs); exploring global women’s issues, computational biology, MA ’14 (global communications) Marwan Sulaiman sustainability, and cybersecurity. That effort is being bolstered “I was one of the first people in Hometown: Baghdad by new buildings with state-of-the-art labs and classrooms, my family to attend a four-year BA ’14 (international affairs) from the business school’s Duquès Hall to the Milken Institute university, and I was the only person School of Public Health building, on which officials cut the in my family to have ever left South “For a decade [in Iraq] we have seen ribbon in May. (The long-planned opening came on the heels of Florida … Classmates from around bombings, killings, corruption, and the announcement, in March, of a combined $80 million gift to the world broadened my perspectives. kidnappings, but today’s threat is the school from the Milken Institute, the Sumner M. Redstone I once found myself working in a even worse: it’s a threat of all-out Charitable Foundation, and the Milken Family Foundation— group with students hailing from civil war. My GW experiences have the university’s largest-ever gift—which is aimed at disease four different countries; not one of helped me realize [that] diversity in us had learned English as our first prevention and the promotion of wellness.) all aspects positively impacts citizens, language.” transforms communities, and helps The spring is expected to bring the opening, as well, of them prosper. I hope to one day see GW’s Science and Engineering Hall, which will nearly double this in my country.”

PUBLIC HEALTH BUILDING: JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT / TESTIMONIALS: SIMO AHMADI (BRUER); ABBY GREENAWALT (ALL OTHERS) (ALL GREENAWALT ABBY (BRUER); AHMADI SIMO TESTIMONIALS: / BURT MCCONNELL JESSICA BUILDING: HEALTH PUBLIC the space in Foggy Bottom available to a mix of academic

gwmagazine.com / 35 VISION 2021 “GW has made tremendous GW’s 10-year strategic plan, called Vision 2021, was approved last year by the Board progress, and there is more to of Trustees as a framework for academic and research growth as the university prepares to enter its third century. It paints do. The campaign will lead to the image of a GW striving to be more open to unconventional thinking; that capitalizes on its location while working harder to show incredible changes for every students the world; and that farms the space between scholarly silos for answers to big research questions. facet of GW.” Below is a brief look at some of the plan’s major initiatives, as presented in the executive NELSON CARBONELL summary. For more detail on specific changes, the thought process behind them, and how they will be funded, the full strategic plan can be seen online at provost.gwu.edu/strategic- disciplines. The new research and teaching hub, built to foster collaboration, will plan. bring under one roof a diverse slate of engineers, computer scientists, chemists, biologists, physicists, and other researchers currently spread across a dozen campus To improve what and how buildings. students learn, the university will: The building, Dr. Knapp has said, “is going to put George Washington on the map • Create a more unified undergraduate as a center for science and engineering innovation.” educational experience The university also is putting the finishing touches on a new museum complex that will house the George Washington University Museum and The Textile • Admit undergraduate students to the university as a whole rather than to schools Museum. The galleries will showcase the globally recognized collection of the 90-year-old Textile Museum, comprising more than 19,000 objects dating from • Design a new core curriculum 3000 B.C., and the trove of more than 800 objects documenting the history of the • Increase the global aspects of curricula and capital city that are found in the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, which double the fraction of students from abroad was donated to the university in 2011. And the university’s new partnership with the • Improve the linkage between academic Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Corcoran College of Art + Design, and the National programs and students’ educational experiences outside the classroom Gallery of Art (see news story, page 7) demonstrates the “vitality of the arts,” Dr. Knapp has said, and creates “a kind of collaborative institution that the arts world • Focus on the quality of education in science, has never before seen.” technology, engineering, and mathematics The “Making History” campaign will build on these initiatives and be a catalyst • Enhance the postgraduation opportunities for new ones, said Nelson Carbonell, BS ’85, chair of the GW Board of Trustees. for students and strengthen the quality of the graduate student body Funds will be used to promote undergraduate research, hire distinguished faculty, institute aid packages for top graduate students, and build research opportunities in the arts and humanities, the sciences, engineering, medicine, and public health. To advance the goals of GW research, “GW has made tremendous progress, and there is more to do,” he said. “The the university will: campaign will lead to incredible changes for every facet of GW.” • Create eight to 12 cross-disciplinary Mr. Carbonell—whose financial contributions provided a path to GW for Mr. institutes with the financial support necessary to undertake research in new Murphy, the engineering student, among others—penned a moving open letter fields to George Washington and delivered it on the very grounds where the university • Hire 50 to 100 new faculty members in areas namesake lived and died. He detailed Washington’s dream of a university that would of research identified in the plan educate the citizen leaders of a then fragile and new democracy, and drew a line from Washington’s vision to the future of GW. • Improve the infrastructure that supports research “You didn’t complete your own formal education; financial problems after your father’s death in 1743 robbed you of that opportunity,” Mr. Carbonell said. “Instead • Encourage applied, translational, and policy research that works toward solutions to and you embarked on a rich life of self-education and discovery. You became an engineer, new perspectives on significant societal an agronomist, a surveyor, a politician, a soldier, a scholar. Nonetheless, you valued problems what you had been denied. “It was your great wish to give others the opportunity to study and to learn.” To advance GW’s focus on service and teaching students to harness knowledge for the benefit of humankind, the university will: What is a campaign, and why do we need one? What about tuition and the endowment? Who’s leading this • Develop ways to communicate the results of research more effectively to the general effort? And how can alumni get involved? Those answers and public much more information about the campaign can be found inside this issue of GW Magazine, in a pullout supplement • Make GW a leader in shaping the national dialogue in areas of our academic strengths created by GW’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations. • Expand our role as a model institutional

citizen More information is online at campaign.gwu.edu. AHMADI SIMO

36 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 At the campaign launch event in June, held at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, attendees watch as fireworks burst above the Potomac River.

gwmagazine.com / 37 38 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 The university inks a deal to receive half its electricity needs from the sun as it endeavors to become carbon neutral and a model of sustainability in the city.

BY LAURA HAMBLETON

When GW administrators considered the for each building, sought to understand the University, and GW Hospital—and, at the university’s carbon footprint nearly a decade environmental impact of the university’s time of the signing, represented the nation’s ago, they found a multitude of issues: Energy paper and food purchases, and brought the largest non-utility solar power purchase consumption across its three campuses and topics of environmental, economic, and social agreement. GW’s 1.65 million-megawatt- 150 buildings was akin to that of a small city. sustainability into the curriculum. hour share alone, of the partners’ total GW was largely powered by conventional But these major efforts—from retrofitting 2.35 million contracted megawatt-hours, fuel sources, which can contribute to climate buildings with more efficient systems and would earn that distinction. CustomerFirst change. And there was much more that light bulbs, to installing solar panels and Renewables, a D.C.-based renewable energy could be done to raise awareness of energy toilets that flush with rainwater—still didn’t integrator, was hired by the partners to help efficiency and sustainability among students, go far enough. facilitate the deal. faculty members, and staff. So in a bold move this summer the The power will be generated by three Since then the university has completely university signed a 20-year contract to new solar fields—comprising a total capacity rethought GW’s use of natural resources. supply 50 percent of its electricity needs of 52 megawatts from more than 240,000 Officials have strategically placed every from the sun. solar panels—being built by Duke Energy recycling bin and rain garden (which catch The contract with North Carolina-based Renewables in eastern North Carolina. The urban rainwater before it becomes polluting Duke Energy Renewables brings together initiative, called the Capital Partners Solar

WILLIAM ATKINS WILLIAM runoff); they have reconsidered energy usage three D.C. partners—GW, American Project, could prevent the release of some

gwmagazine.com / 39 3 GW, American University, and GW Hospital draw solar power from the grid. The 20-year agreement has a fixed rate that is lower than each partner's current rate and could result in millions of dollars in savings by avoiding potential rate increases.

2 Solar power harvested at the sites will move through the state’s electrical grid into the D.C. regional grid, increasing the amount of local renewable, emission-free energy.

1 Three fields of photovoltaic panels in North Carolina collect sunlight and convert it into power. The first site is expected to come online by early 2015; the two others in 2016.

40 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 50% The portion of GW’s electricity needs that will be covered by the solar deal. At the time of the signing, the university’s share alone—1.65 mil- lion megawatt-hours—constituted the nation’s largest non-utility solar power purchase agreement.

MILLION123 KILOWATT-HOURS

The amount of power that will be generated in the first year, which will dip slightly over time as the solar panels naturally degrade

243,000 THAT AMOUNT OF POWER: SOLAR PANELS will prevent the release of around 60,000 metric on tons of carbon dioxide per year

... which is equivalent to taking around 12,500 cars 450 off the road ACRES ... or equivalent to the carbon sequestered by generating 50,000 acres of forest

... and roughly the amount of electricity used by 8,200 U.S. homes

ICONS: ©ISTOCK.COM/VECSTAR ICONS: ABBATE COMPOSITION:DOMINIC / MEGAWATTS₅₂

gwmagazine.com / 41 60,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into Meghan Chapple, who initiated the project. into the D.C. regional grid, increasing the the atmosphere each year, or the equivalent GW received proposals from 30 amount of green renewable energy in the of taking 12,500 cars off the road, according companies and the bid from Duke Energy area and decreasing the relative amount of to the group. Renewables rose to the top. conventional power—such as energy derived The initiative, which is being called the “We can’t generate the energy we need from nuclear plants and fossil fuels—on the first of its kind for such large institutions, solely from placing solar panels on our D.C. regional grid. could result in significant cost savings over campus rooftops,” says Kathleen Merrigan, Construction of the first solar field began time. Yet the university hopes the effects executive director for sustainability at GW this summer, and power is expected to will be far beyond that, jump-starting and a former deputy secretary of the U.S. start flowing in early 2015. Duke Energy markets, stimulating the use of untapped Department of Agriculture. The university Renewables expects the other two sites renewable resources, and creating a model will continue that effort, she says, “but our to begin delivering power by the start of for sustainable city life. buildings are tall and large. Some don’t have 2016. That work will create a few hundred “One of the slogans we’ve been using complete access to the sun. This is the next jobs, among other benefits of the deal for about sustainability is we want to ‘Practice best thing.” communities in North Carolina. what we teach,’” GW President Steven With the new solar power plan, “GW is “The opportunities the project presents— Knapp told The Washington Post recently. demonstrating how urban communities can hundreds of construction jobs, the sale of “We have academic programs that focus on lead in renewable energy,” she says. “This materials and consumables, and an increase sustainability, but we want to make sure our is the largest non-utility solar purchase in in the tax base—are huge for our county,” operations reflect that same value.” the U.S., and we will be working with Duke says Jon Crouse, trustee for one of the Energy Renewables to make this project a parcels of land to be used in the project. “For THE UNIVERSITY’S CLIMATE living laboratory for all to learn from.” the landowners and farmers, it enables us to ACTION PLAN, in 2010, set in motion In the deal with Duke Energy diversify from a fully agricultural portfolio, efforts to reach a goal of carbon neutrality. Renewables, the power company is paying build economic sustainability, and become Written after GW became the first university for the construction and maintenance of the part of a larger effort to be good stewards of in D.C. to sign on to the American College solar farms and owns those resources. In the environment.” and University Presidents’ Climate Commit- turn, GW, AU, and GW Hospital agree to This large-scale switch to solar will propel ment, the plan put forth a pledge to reduce buy the power at a fixed rate for 20 years. GW that much closer to its goal of zero carbon emissions by 40 percent in 2025, The pricing is less than the current electric emissions by 2040, Ms. Chapple says, and and to become carbon neutral—balancing rate for each partner, according to the group. complement a growing array of conservation remaining carbon emissions with offsets Moreover, all three institutions anticipate projects. “Our biggest source of emissions elsewhere—by 2040. increased savings over time, since the cost of is our building usage,” she says. “We are GW established an Office of Sustainability fossil fuel is expected to rise. investing money in making buildings more in 2009 and launched a cross-disciplinary “Locking in a price for solar could help efficient in terms of energy and water, which academic minor in the subject in 2012. Then the university avoid millions of dollars in is projected to create savings that will be about a year ago, the Office of Sustainability potential electric rate increases over the re-invested in future energy and water went looking for a partner to supply wind duration of the agreement,” Ms. Chapple, improvements in buildings.” or solar power from off-site—a chance to says. “And the impact goes beyond our Nine buildings on campus have earned use green power on a large scale despite a campus.” Since the announcement, calls Gold certification under the U.S. Green crowded urban landscape. have been coming in to her office from Building Council’s Leadership in Energy “We needed to implement a bold strategy other universities, the private sector, and and Environmental Design rating system. to meet our Climate Action Plan targets and government offices wanting to know more. And this summer GW’s new Milken Institute put us on the path to carbon neutrality,” Solar power harvested in North Carolina School of Public Health building earned says Director of the Office of Sustainability will move through the state’s electrical grid Platinum certification, the highest LEED

42 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 rating—a first for the university, and Universities are the ideal incubators to on their roofs, they aren’t paying a utility. one of only about 1,100 Platinum ratings investigate energy alternatives because they Consumers are making very different choices nationwide. are neutral places, without a political bias, because technology is allowing them to make Light and heat sensors now detect when says Amit Ronen, director of GW’s Solar different choices. Let’s say the university people exit rooms in the newly renovated Institute. “We identify issues and develop wants to get off the grid because it isn’t green laboratories on the fifth and sixth floors of solutions,” he says. enough; we might create micro-grids.” the School of Medicine and Health Science’s The contract is “groundbreaking,” he Engineering students, meanwhile, Walter G. Ross Hall. And the university says, and notable for the fact that a consumer are trying to figure out how to make this is installing a co-generation plant in Ross approached a power company with a request: kind of model feasible and affordable, says Hall, which captures and recycles steam to “We want to go green. What can you do Ekunday Shittu, an assistant professor in the generate electricity and heat for both Ross for us?” he says. “It’s unique to go out into Department of Engineering Management Hall and the soon-to-be-completed Science market and ask who is going to supply power. and Systems Engineering. “Engineers and Engineering Hall. This wasn’t possible a couple years ago.” seek solutions to problems and look for the GW also is looking anew at its rooftops: The nature of the deal crosses several economic viability of those decisions. If The university has outfitted three residence disciplines—public policy, economics, 29 states mandate a certain percentage of halls with solar thermal hot water systems chemistry, engineering—and “already the energy must come from renewables, how do (with a fourth to be installed this academic university is trying to think how can this be a you make that work?” year), and four buildings with green roofs. model for other universities and businesses,” Students from engineering, landscape Even sidewalks are being rethought. Last says Lisa Benton-Short, a geography design, and interior design are examining fall, the university installed the world’s professor and the director of GW’s academic how homes will put renewable power to first walkable solar-paneled pathway at the minor in sustainability. work, and rely on it solely. Last year, forging Virginia Science and Technology Campus, in “How can we study this and learn from a team with students from American Ashburn. The 100-square-foot walkway can it?” she says. “How can we communicate University and Catholic University, the generate enough energy to power 450 LED about it? How can we involve our students? group designed and built a 700-square- pathway lights, while a trellis feeds power How do we get research out there to inform foot solar-powered home and surrounding back into a nearby university building. decision makers and make these projects garden, which won seventh place in the U.S. The university is also aiming, by 2017, more affordable?” Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. to divert 50 percent of its waste away from With that in mind, GW and Duke Energy And students in the popular academic landfills to sustainable efforts, such as Renewables are exploring a potential minor in sustainability grapple with issues composting, recycling, and donation. Toward multiyear research collaboration to study the from across the spectrum, as the coursework that goal, the university last year began using impacts of the energy project. is drawn from all corners of the university— a single-stream recycling system, in which Elsewhere around the university, from anthropology to engineering, public designated recyclables—such as non-soiled professors and students are delving into health, geology, chemistry, and policy, to paper, plastic food and drink containers, the industrywide implications of new name a few. cardboard, steel/tin aluminum, and glass— technologies. Just as the new solar deal involves can all be placed in the same container. Students in the law school, for example, a mix of specialties and itself fits into a are researching how laws hinder or help the mosaic of environmental efforts around the WITH THE NEW SOLAR POWER generation of new energy sources and what university, the academic minor, too, resists AGREEMENT, GW officials say the school those laws mean to power companies, says categorization. “Our sustainability program is now positioned to become a model for Donna Attanasio, the law school’s senior doesn’t sit in one school,” Dr. Benton-Short going green and help provide the spark advisor for energy law programs. says. “We did that deliberately. Faculty needed for wider change. That is already “How are utilities going to survive?” she recognized sustainability is inherently beginning in its classrooms and labs. says. “If everybody is putting solar panels interdisciplinary.”

“GW IS DEMONSTRATING HOW URBAN COMMUNITIES CAN LEAD IN RENEWABLE ENERGY. ... WE WILL BE WORKING WITH DUKE ENERGY RENEWABLES TO MAKE THIS PROJECT A LIVING LABORATORY.” —Kathleen Merrigan, executive director for sustainability at GW

gwmagazine.com / 43 INSIDE THE MONKEY

If politics can be a bit of a circus—with both the commentators and the commented-onCAGE as the acts on display—then political science professor John Sides and his team of bloggers at The Monkey Cage aim to bring a little order to the chaos.

ne word: “Whew.” the incumbent and the country’s ongoing, if by pundit-made mountains and valleys. And oThat was the text political science sluggish, economic growth. they hoped to use the past to inform the professor John Sides sent to his colleague Now, with the U.S. map once again present. Political scientists “don’t need to Lynn Vavreck around 11 o’clock the night of transformed into a chessboard of blue and predict the future to say something useful,” the last presidential election, after Ohio was red, Dr. Sides and other political scientists Dr. Sides later wrote. “Explaining the past is called for President Barack Obama. at The Monkey Cage are again in full swing equally important.” But it wasn’t “whew, I am glad that the with prognostications. And again they are Along the way, their focus has gone Democrat beat the Republican,” he clarifies. trusting that a predictive model—which global—and so too has the blog, which last It was: “‘Whew, I’m glad that our forecasting draws on elections going back to 1980—will September took up an enviable roosting model was right!’” Dr. Sides, one of the earn more “whews” than “whoopses” as the place at The Washington Post’s website. founders of the popular political science Senate and House races are called Nov. 4. blog The Monkey Cage, had been largely The blog, though, is bigger than any one The blog’s name borrows from a quote ignoring the day-to-day chatter of cable TV election year. Dr. Sides and his colleagues by the early 20th-century American writer commentators while he and Dr. Vavreck, a set out in 2007 to “gain political science H.L. Mencken: “Democracy is the art and UCLA political science professor, stuck to research greater attention and currency,” science of running the circus from the the underlying fundamentals of presidential he wrote in his inaugural post. In doing monkey cage.” But the founding bloggers elections: Back in April 2012, they had so, they hoped to help recalibrate political didn’t choose it with cynical intent. Dr. forecast that the president was favored to discourse, to spot the molehills and flat plains Sides says the blog’s name is meant to be a win a second term, buoyed by his position as on a landscape that could seem dominated reflection of its purpose: to make sense of

44 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 RYAN BERKLEY RYAN

gwmagazine.com / 45 political goings-on, which can come off as a (“Hair loss and electability: The bald truth”) three-ring spectacle. published more than two decades ago. That genial wink hinted at in the blog’s “Whatever hurdles you may face in 2016,” name is one of the reasons it’s so successful. Dr. Sides summed up, addressing Sen. Rubio, The blog intended to fill an unmet demand for “your hairline isn’t one of them.” research-based analysis—to marry scholarly GW political science professor Sarah insights with unfolding political events, and Binder, an occasional contributor to the to do it in a way that was come-at-able for the blog, explores topics like Senate filibusters non-polisci set. And wit is as much a part of and the blocking of judicial nominees. But it’s her dioramas built with marshmallow Peeps, for an annual contest run by The Cable news “has to be filled Washington Post—including her take on the Papal Conclave and the political scandal that gridlocked commuters at the George with ‘Wow, this thing happened. Washington Bridge in New Jersey—that seem to get her noticed at conferences, she Could it change the race?’ jokes. But while the blog’s sense of humor gives it personality, its good reputation is built on The answer, in most cases, is dispassionate analysis and insights that often are backed up by data and graphs and links probably not.” to scholarly papers. The blog’s roster now counts eight the blog’s DNA as the science itself. primary contributors and twice as many Dr. Sides and his co-founders—in occasional writers, a group that chimes in particular, the late, eminent GW political from more than a dozen U.S. universities. science professor Lee Sigelman—shaped Across the field of inquiry, the writers make a The Monkey Cage into a site covering the point of examining the underlying structures gamut, from sober political commentary to that shape the way democracy works, not the occasional playful musings. latest gaffe or poll. Dr. Sigelman, a former chair of the “In much of punditry, whatever you say political science department who helped has to be new and different and huge,” Dr. elevate it into the national rankings, “had Sides says. “Every day on cable news—day a huge influence on the blog,” says Henry after day, hour after hour—has to be filled Farrell, an associate professor of political with, ‘Wow, this thing happened. Could it science at GW and a primary contributor to change the race?’ The answer, in most cases, The Monkey Cage since its early days. “John is probably not.” and I were pretty young, and Lee gave us While The Monkey Cage gives up some credibility, and also the courage to add a level theatrical flair, its straightforward sagacity of fun and frivolity that we otherwise would has won it wide recognition. have felt nervous about.” The site made Time magazine’s “25 Best In an obituary after Dr. Sigelman’s Blogs” list in 2012, with the writer calling cancer-related death in 2009, at age 64, it a “hub for academic myth busting of The Washington Post recalled that he told overhyped campaign coverage.” And in 2011, an interviewer: “We political scientists are Dr. Sides was named “Blogger of the Year” by John Sides an awfully stuffy lot. We dress badly. the news magazine The Week, which hailed We bore our students and write the team’s “clear, concise, and witty posts” dull articles that we publish in that emerge “whenever the political debate political science reviews. So I strays too far from the evidence.” try to use our research tools The magazine noted that “the judges felt to poke fun at ourselves.” Sides had not only developed a new template Case in point: In a post for bloggers but also shown a certain bravery from August, Dr. Sides by asserting the right of academics to blog at spotlighted a question that a time when others have seen their university a reporter posed to a fellow careers suffer for doing so. The Monkey political scientist, about Cage is an invaluable resource not just for whether U.S. Sen. Marco academics and political journalists but for all Rubio’s thinning hair could political junkies.” affect his chances in a possible Says University of Michigan political 2016 presidential bid. As that science professor Arthur Lupia: “There is colleague knew, Dr. Sigelman nothing else like it. While bombastic opinions had already asked the question and snark make much political commentary

and answered it in a research paper entertaining, there are times when it is useful ATKINS WILLIAM

46 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 to differentiate claims that can be validated was published the following year, after the of the analysis of the war could probably through a scientific process from claims that expedited peer review and release of a few be recycled from 2008 or 2012 without are the product of hot air.” chapters as free e-books along the way. changing much beyond the dateline,” he The problem, the authors wrote in a observed—raises questions not about what is On any given day this summer, the follow-up essay on the news site Inside happening there, but rather what isn’t. blog might carry headlines on Ebola and Higher Ed, is that in the few years it can He suggests possible avenues for future African politics, the struggles for Ukraine take an academic book to be published, “the research, such as exploring the possibility of and Syria, racial tensions in Ferguson, conventional wisdom about the election has there being no peace process after all, and Mo., and a musing from left field—like Dr. congealed—whether it is correct or not.” And why populations in Arab countries haven’t Farrell’s spirited takedown of American while journalistic accounts provide insight lashed back at their leaders for openly ideas on tea, which the Irishman found to into why decision-makers in a campaign did working with Israel, as political scientists be “verging on the blasphemous.” But the what they did, they write, “a political science thought they would. election is never far from sight. account can better determine whether those Aside from news analysis, Dr. Sides and decisions mattered.” As the blog’s contributing roster has others keep an evolving forecast of the House Their findings challenged post-election grown, so has its audience. Soon after its and Senate elections on The Washington interpretations about the impact of the launch, The Monkey Cage attracted some Post’s “Election Lab” page. In every district economy and of campaign advertising, 30,000 page views per month; at its peak as and state, visitors can find projections for among other factors. And overall, as the dust an independent site, that number was about each race, as well as for the overarching settled, they found the outcome to be “very 370,000. As Dr. Sides put it: “That’s growth control of the Capitol’s chambers. much what extant political science research from tiny, tiny, tiny to a larger—but still The current expectation for big led us to expect.” niche—website.” Republican wins aligns with a common But even as the work of the bloggers Niche or not, editors at The Washington midterm pattern, with the president’s party breaks new ground, it comes at a frustrating Post took notice and last year added it to its tending to lose seats, Dr. Sides says, adding time for them, with Congress threatening to distinguished stable of bloggers. “The editors that other current conditions—such as slash federal funding of political and social welcomed us, saying, ‘Keep on doing what a slowly growing economy and a not-so- science research. you’re doing,’” says Dr. Sides. popular president—could seal the lopsided “Right now, it looks like the worst-case Readership took off from there. The deal in November. scenario—a roughly 40 percent cut in Monkey Cage now logs roughly a million But the depth of the blog’s election funding for social science—will not come to page views per month—except for this April, analysis also has the power to expose failings pass,” he says. “But I would not expect the when a post went viral, drawing more than in popular political theories. issue to go away.” 2.5 million views and catching attention far One recent post took on the common Last year, taking to the blog in defense, he and wide. notion that Democrats can’t win midterm drew a contrast between the hard sciences The post, written by political scientists elections because their would-be voters don’t and the social ones, noting that while Kyle Dropp, Joshua D. Kertzer, and show up. After parsing the data, Dr. Sides medicine may be able to cure a disease, the Thomas Zeitzoff, highlighted data from concluded that voter turnout matters “maybe treatment can’t reach anyone without stable a national survey they conducted, which less than you think.” Commentators, in his political institutions. Plus, he wrote, it’s the asked respondents what action the United view, “put too much emphasis on it.” exploratory nature of science that gives it States should take in the Russian invasion of Other posts poke holes in arguments value—how much value, though, is difficult Ukraine, but also to locate Ukraine on a map. about the game-changing nature of to predict. “It’s hard because you can’t “The farther their guesses were from politicians’ foot-in-mouth moments. Take anticipate how one project might inform later Ukraine’s actual location,” the scientists President Obama’s June 2012 comment ones,” Dr. Sides wrote. “It’s hard because wrote, “the more they wanted the U.S. to that the “private sector is doing fine,” or some funding goes to create public goods— intervene with military force.” Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” comment the like large datasets—that many others will Far-fetched guesses placed Ukraine in same year, about Americans feeling they are use, and those myriad projects also cannot be Iowa, Australia, as a speck in the ocean, “victims” and the government is responsible anticipated. It’s hard because some research and so on. But, as political satirist Stephen for caring for them. In posts, Dr. Sides has won’t work, and we can’t know that ahead of Colbert said of the study: “This is America! shown that these types of gaffes—while good time.” And, of course, knowing what doesn’t We don’t need to know where a country is to for grabbing headlines—don’t change voters’ work has value, as well. send troops there.” minds enough to decide elections. While domestic policy was the blog’s Even without the occasional surge in “Many a news cycle was built on a ‘gaffe’ initial polestar, The Monkey Cage has added traffic, the monthly numbers alone amount to with a remarkably short shelf life,” he wrote. regular contributors with expertise in other the kind of exposure that a team of political The blog’s brand of quick, comprehensive parts of the world, including the Middle scientists might’ve only hypothesized about analysis might even help shift the East. GW Professor of Political Science and back in 2007. They have the platform they’ve postmortem narrative of an election, which International Affairs Marc Lynch recently always wanted and plenty of politics to tends to stick soon after. The Monkey Cage, joined the blog as a regular contributor and address, especially come November. among other outlets, was a testbed for has helped boost its international coverage. Dr. Sides concedes that he will be ideas and analysis in 2012 as Dr. Sides and In a recent post, Dr. Lynch, who also is the holding his breath on Election Day as the Dr. Vavreck, the UCLA political science founder and director of the Project on Middle tighter contests are called. And whether the professor, attempted to rapidly digest the East Political Science, pointed out a striking predictions were right or wrong, the results presidential election through a scholarly lens. lack of political science research relating will be banked and the team will begin Their book, The Gamble: Choice and to the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict. mining them for insights. At the circus, the Chance in the 2012 Presidential Election, The familiarity of the situation—“much next show is always just around the corner.

gwmagazine.com / 47 48 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 Take a Look at LISNER

#LisnerInMotion

Stage Presence For more than seven decades, Lisner Auditorium has shined a spotlight on A-list movers, shakers, and thinkers, from Martha Graham to the Dalai Lama to Pink Floyd. With a raft of new technical and design upgrades, the venerable D.C. venue is primed for a second act. / BY MARY A. DEMPSEY /

gwmagazine.com / 49 hen Isabella Rossellini presents her one-woman show at Lisner Auditorium this fall, she will be taking the same stage that her mother, Ingrid Bergman, did 68 years earlier in the theater’s first- ever commercial production. Well, almost the same stage. While the outside of the imposing limestone building remains unchanged, a lot has been happening inside. Lisner has finished a two-summer renovation that laid a new floor on that historic stage while also upgrading the sound and lighting systems, freshening the look of the theater, and expanding its repertory. With the face-lift behind it and new, high-energy marketing in place, the auditorium is now expanding its offerings on a music and entertainment landscape that has grown increasingly competitive. “We like to remind people of our history, of all the people who have performed here,” says Lisner’s Executive Director Maryann Lombardi. “But we’re also spending time re- introducing ourselves, asking people to take a second look at us and our changes.” Ms. Bergman’s 1946 debut in the Broadway-bound Joan of Lorraine unfolded on what was considered the biggest stage south of New York City and landed her the starring role in the film adaptation, Joan of Arc, for which she would be nominated for an Oscar. For Lisner, it kicked off a remarkable trajectory that has drawn a who’s who of performers, politicians, and global leaders across the nearly seven decades that have followed. Blues legend B.B. King, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, and actress Meryl Streep have graced the 59-foot stage. So have U.S. Supreme Court justices (the past year alone: Antonin Scalia, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg), as well as Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, folk singer Pete Seeger, and classical guitar legend Andrés Segovia. The Dalai Lama has appeared at Lisner three times. Pink Floyd performed at the auditorium, as did comedian Ellen DeGeneres. Singer Mat Kearney hopped off the stage into the crowd to get fans dancing in the aisles at his show last year. On separate occasions, two presidential children danced at Lisner: 17-year-old Chelsea Clinton in the Washington Ballet’s young dancers troupe, and Ron Reagan, who left Yale to join the Joffrey Ballet. Both times, the dancer’s respective parents came the few blocks from the White House to attend. Some Lisner events have been groundbreaking. In 1983, the theater was the site of D.C.’s first community meeting on the burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic. Twenty-nine years later, in 2012, experts returned to Lisner to discuss the same topic but in a far more hopeful tone. The same year the auditorium hosted “The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium: O’Reilly vs. Stewart 2012,” a sold-out, pay-per-view debate between Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly and The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart. And earlier this year astronaut Buzz Aldrin, speaking at a summit hosted by GW’s Space Policy Institute, told the audience that a human settlement on Mars is within reach. Lisner may be continuing the same high-profile programming it always has, but it’s doing so under a bigger spotlight. The upgrades come as part of a broader university effort to continually refresh the infusion of arts and cultural opportunities on campus. For Eric Annis, the auditorium’s production manager for the past 21 years, that renewed attention is palpable. “They’re paying attention to the building, restoring it on the inside,” Mr. Annis says. “In the past, Lisner was an independent place that sometimes felt forgotten. But now it’s being seen.” Something old, something new At Ms. Rossellini’s upcoming November performance, audience members will settle into the same seats as those used by Ms. Bergman’s audience. When repainting the walls and replacing carpeting, Lisner’s managers saved the theater seats, opting for reupholstering rather than replacement. And when the curtain opens, Ms. Rossellini will have before her the same view her mother had: 1,500 seats on a sleek rise. There are no balconies, just a columnless main floor and terrace with no obstructed views. It’s an interior that offers an elegant subtle class, which follows naturally from the exterior—a nearly unembellished cube considered architecturally bold for its time. Construction on the auditorium finished in 1943, nearly three decades before the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts would open nearby. And while Ms. Bergman’s 1946 performance was the first commercial show, it wasn’t the first event.

50 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 The theater’s inaugural use took place before the building was even completed: the 122nd University Convocation, held in February 1943. The roiling war abroad cast a shadow over the mood inside, however, as did a brief citywide blackout. The following year students put on Lisner’s first theatrical production, called And the Home of the Brave, and the theater quickly became a hub for world-class performance and a magnet for students and fans. “The [Lisner] manager would call me up and say, ‘The Royal Ballet is rehearsing at two o’clock. Margot Fonteyn will be on stage. Bring your people over to observe,’” Elizabeth Burtner, who began GW’s dance program, recalled of Lisner’s early days during a 1989 oral history interview. The auditorium, she said, added a rich dimension to the Foggy Bottom Campus. “On our own doorstep, we had performances by Marcel Marceau, the National French Theatre, Martha Graham, the Russian Ballet.” Ms. Burtner recalled how her students had danced for nine years at Roosevelt High School because the university had no venue of its own. “So when Lisner opened … I revered the place,” she said. “I loved it. I entered it and left it spotless. I knew what it was to be deprived of a place to perform.” Those early years also were a turbulent time for the theater. Ingrid Bergman’s performance “We like to represent brought not only star power but a firestorm, as well. the diversity that Ms. Bergman was unhappy to learn that the auditorium, like many in D.C. at the time, was exists within our segregated. She couldn’t get out of her contract, but she did hold a press conference to voice university and the her opposition. Picketers protested outside on opening night while calls for boycotts and larger community leaflet campaigns continued through the show’s three-week run. As a result of the protests, the upon our stage.” CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Primatologist Jane Goodall; governing board of the National Symphony writer Toni Morrison; International Monetary Orchestra unanimously voted to cancel its Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde; scheduled performances at Lisner and the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club; the Bacon Dramatists Guild banned its members from Brothers; Hillary Rodham Clinton; Laura entertaining at the auditorium and all other Bush with journalist Cokie Roberts; Apollo 11 segregated theaters. astronaut Buzz Aldrin; former Secretary of The following year, GW’s Board of Trustees State Colin Powell, MBA ’71; Sesame Street’s voted to open the theater’s doors to all patrons. Elmo; Andy Williams, Robert Kennedy, Perry An old emergency call box outside the theater Como, Ted Kennedy, and Eddie Fisher sing at a now marks the moment, having been retrofitted fundraiser in 1968; and Elvis Costello with a bust of Ms. Bergman’s watchful gaze, created by artist Calder Brannock, BA ’07, as part of a public arts initiative. Lisner’s deep history, from nearly the beginning, also is recorded in ink that covers the back of its expansive fire curtain. While on the front of the fire curtain hangs an enormous mural by celebrated abstract painter Augustus Vincent Tack—“Time and Timelessness,” which was commissioned in 1944 Lisner Executive Director and is considered the artist’s final monumental Maryann Lombardi

ALDRIN, BACON BROS., BUSH, CLINTON, COSTELLO, GOODALL, MORRISON: WILLIAM ATKINS / BUENA VISTA, ELMO, IMF, LOMBARDI, POWELL: JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT / RFK ET AL: COURTESY UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES UNIVERSITY COURTESY AL: ET RFK / BURT MCCONNELL JESSICA POWELL: LOMBARDI, IMF, ELMO, VISTA, BUENA / ATKINS WILLIAM MORRISON: GOODALL, COSTELLO, CLINTON, BUSH, BROS., BACON ALDRIN, work—the back is a cultural time capsule,

gwmagazine.com / 51 FROM Serfs of Swing; festivities for Colonial Inauguration; and the bust of Ingrid Bergman on the street outside. street the on Bergman Ingrid of bust the and Inauguration; Colonial for festivities Swing; of Serfs &the James King GW’s curtain; fire autographed the before design, lighting for director technical assistant

LEFT 52 States. United the to transported slaves the of percent 40 nearly for point entry the was which S.C., Island, Sullivan’s on unveiled was bench first The slavery. of history the in significant are that sites at installed been have others auditorium, the at segregation racial of end the marks bench Lisner’s While 2006. in launched Society, Toni the Morrison of initiative outreach community and ahistorical Project, Road the by Bench ongoing the in placed sixth road.” the by bench small no there’s tower, 300-foot no “There’s magazine. the told she lobby,” skyscraper or park or wall or wreath or enslaved. were who people remember to markers historical of absence the about Magazine World to made Morrison remarks 1989 the to homage an sun—is summer the in aspot grab staff and students GW where and nights, show on open to doors auditorium the for wait theatergoers Morrison. Ms. by inspired occasion. the of part only was performance onstage the But followed. that aQ&A during work unpublished anew, about talked and AMercy novel her from read winner Prize Pulitzer and laureate Nobel the when 2011, in Auditorium Lisner to crowd enthusiastic an drew Toni Morrison Writer by the Road A Small Bench Lisner’s renovated interior; Production Manager Eric Annis behind the ceiling lights; Izzy Einsidler, Einsidler, Izzy lights; ceiling the behind Annis Eric Manager Production interior; renovated Lisner’s The bench outside Lisner was the the was Lisner outside bench The plaque or memorial suitable no is “There bench—where metal black That bench anew sat theater the Outside /Fall 2014 magazine /gw grant to digitize the array of names on it. of names array the digitize to grant book. his of release here for the he was when he signed where spot me the showed and have’ already ‘I schools. D.C. at charter Jr.’s students to awards Gossett present to academic 2010 in visit icons. of rock signatures the with interspersed fabric, heavy onto the penned are names whose Jr. Hinckley John by attempt assassination 1980 the after care for their Hospital GW at nurses and doctors the thank to conference anews following curtain, the signed Reagan Ronald President of Burundi. ambassador an with along names, the among tucked are lang k.d. and Costello, Elvis Cash, Rosanne signature. his beside a fresh look in the lobby and a new box office, will-call station, and cherry-wood bar with with bar cherry-wood and station, will-call office, box anew and lobby the in look a fresh work to with.” smooth so is particular, in system, sound the here because day easy an have to going they’re know they and artists We high-level get can amazing. is lighting Our amazing. is system sound of “exceptional.” category the into auditorium the clear.” and articulate equally were all they Compact MLA the with and band, bluegrass music asingle-mic to electrical venue’s the musicians. to much boost to appeal does and Awards, Grammy the at used what’s been as same the is system sound Compact boosted. been has connectivity wireless and encouraged, being are performances from Twitter feeds booth. spotlight anew and perches, camera and lighting two for lights, points of 10 rigging installation the joins lights house the dim to system LED future. its shape will push marketing diversified and upgrade infrastructure new the says team Lisner the auditorium’s of the past, reminders as stand architecture and curtain fire the While experimentation multimedia to worldFrom music floor. the to down right and read can eye the as high as curtain, of the width the across extend on Lisner’s They appeared stage. have who of many autographs the bearing Ms. Lombardi characterizes the curtain as a “piece of history” and says she is seeking a sheseeking is says and of history” a“piece as curtain the characterizes Lombardi Ms. once.” sign only he’d says and was space curtain up the how at filled looked “He says, “He says. Mr. Espenschied curtain,” the sign he would if Iasked “After everything, Lou actor recalled years, 15 for Lisner at more member than acrew Terry Espenschied, dignitaries the among also are Scalia Antonin and Gore, Al Clinton, Hillary and Bill The technical upgrades complement the auditorium’s physical face-lift. That includes includes That face-lift. auditorium’s complement the physical upgrades technical The come out,” “Our needs she says. production whatever handle “It’s we it can so made pushed has of changes spectrum the manager, says Lisner’s programming Kogan, Anne loud from gamut the run a row,” in events “They’ve he says. televised several “We’ve had MLA state-of-the-art new the manager, says production longtime the Mr. Annis, Anew soundboard. analog an and console mixing adigital both now has auditorium The Rogers’ of Mister Neighborhood Rogers, Fred fixture TV Kids’ , noted the year, the , noted 1986,

BERGMAN BUST: WILLIAM ATKINS / ALL OTHER PHOTOS: JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT interactive lighting detail. Stroke the bar’s rock, and speakers, like a recent appearance the new schedule and marketing efforts counter and tiny lights pulse in changing by author David Sedaris. is tapping a plentiful but hard-to-corner patterns. Lisner carpenter Dan Peterson “We embrace the diversity in our segment of the audience: students. built the bar, embedding within it accents programming. It is an asset to us as a “The students are a huge priority of ours,” that replicate the decorative geometric lines presenter and a venue,” Ms. Lombardi says. Ms. Lombardi says. “The students love found on the upper walls of the lobby. “We like to represent the diversity that politics and speakers. They come in droves Behind the scenes are new heating, exists within our university and the larger for those events, but we’re also trying to book cooling, and safety systems, and lobby and community upon our stage.” more music events that get them excited to seating upgrades that are compliant with the The fall lineup, for instance, includes walk in our doors.” Americans with Disabilities Act. performances by Boban and Marko They can be a complicated market, The upgrades join other features that have Markovic Orchestra, a 13-piece Balkan band; though, since students tend to buy tickets at long shaped Lisner’s standing: a large chorus famed Brazilian singer-songwriter Milton the last minute and they’re equally sought dressing room, the ability to accommodate Nascimento; world music legend Youssou after by the growing list of music venues and flying scenery, one of the biggest loading N’Dour from Senegal; and banjoist Béla other outlets now operating in the D.C. area. docks in the area, and an enviable reputation Fleck. Outreach directed at students, who for handling security, which makes it popular “We’re known for world music. We’re receive discounts to all shows, has stepped with high-profile political events. committed to that,” says Ms. Lombardi. “We up and the effort seems to be paying off. Three types of performances unfold at have a strong history presenting African and Concerts by Solange, Ben Folds, and Elvis Lisner Auditorium: It provides a rental space Brazilian artists, along with flamenco. We Costello this past year packed the venue, with for events, serves as a roadhouse for other are also working to serve new audiences and strong student attendance. organizations, and presents its own shows. reclaim some ground in pop and rock music.” It’s part of a broader effort that amounts Among organizations that rent the space, The upcoming calendar is also mixed with to cultivating a new romance between the traditions have grown. Lisner has been home other events, including a multimedia show auditorium and the audience; something to West African dance company KanKouran’s by Art Spiegelman, best known for Maus, his that mirrors—and benefits from—the annual fall performance for 25 years. It’s also Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel about relationship Lisner has built with artists that the longtime setting for the elaborate holiday the Holocaust. In his October appearance, has been going strong since the 1940s. production, “Christmas Revels.” Mr. Spiegelman and composer Phillip “I want people to be saying, ‘I wonder The auditorium is also stepping up its Johnston converge live music with animated what’s happening at Lisner,’” says Ms. collaborations with iconic D.C. entities, such projections of graphic novels and narrative. Lombardi. as independent bookstore Politics & Prose, The calendar also features author with which Lisner co-presents a high-profile Sam Harris in conversation with author series, and with the Smithsonian Washington Post religion writer Associates, which sponsors educational Michelle Boorstein about his lectures, workshops, and other presentations, new book, Waking Up: A often dovetailing with Smithsonian exhibits. Guide to Spirituality Without For Lisner’s own shows, booked and Religion. marketed by the team, the programming Part of the breaks up into large slices of world music, impetus behind

The dance company Momix, known for its dazzling choreography, performed at Lisner in April. Shelter yourself from the coming storm of seasonal sales and must-have pitches by shopping early. We even did the legwork for you: GW Magazine’s first-ever gift guide puts a spotlight on gifts that will double as a pat on the back for a fellow Colonial—and, with some of these, even triple as a good deed for someone in need. By Kelly Danver, BA ’14 S AG B

COURTESY ANNA GS: BA A N AN

/ M I K NH EE MI : NG I

When a parent wraps a child in a hand-sewn cotton

blanket from Babies4Babies, both the kid and the / LETTER

parent can feel warm and fuzzy. The company, NS launched by Kate Marie Grinold Sigfusson, BA ’08, KI AT

operates with a “buy one, save two” philosophy: AM Through partnerships with humanitarian and public LI IL health organizations abroad, each blanket sale W O: funds the purchase of two tubes of an antiseptic gel I OL

,

used to prevent infection in newborns, often where L E

the umbilical cord is cut. The blankets are made for YA Y B swaddling—new parents might appreciate the step- ED

by-step instructions on the K A B

Jonas Umbrellas

These umbrellas don’t just website—but these could easily ,

block water, they reroute it. While jonasumbrellas.com suit any number of uses. Ms. ES BI A

traveling in Uganda during his time at Sigfusson also is working on B GW, Josh Pavano, MBA ’14, was struck by expanding Babies4Babies 4 ES

the living conditions and decided to make to include products for BI

a difference. The result is a company that older children, which / BA

creates and sells umbrellas to fund wells, will be similarly paired AS through a partnership with the nonprofit with lifesaving LL RE Drop in the Bucket. It takes 500 sales to fund a treatments. $34 B Ugandan well, and each batch of 500 carries a (Hippo not included) UM AS design that is retired once it’s sold out. Customers ON J can even register their umbrella to get updates on the well they helped build. “This is about creating a larger impact and a close connection with those you are helping,” Mr.

Pavano says. “I want consumers to be more conscientious Babies4Babies COURTESY A:

about where their money is going.” $55 babies4babies.com LL RE B UM

54 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 FASHION Teach a person to fish, and sure, they will eat for a lifetime. But show them WITH how to pamper a foodie and they will eat well. Olio Tasting Room is the place A FOCUS to start. Owner Penny Willimann, Designer handbags MBA ’05, and her husband, Mike, and scholarships opened their first shop in Alexandria, typically don’t go hand “The Claire” (retail Va., in 2011—now joined by a second in hand—but then again, $1,450) is made in Middleburg, Va.—which that year purses typically aren’t of French plonge was crowned best new retail store designed by aerospace lambskin with a in Washington City Paper’s annual engineers, either. Jayne suede lining. “Best of D.C.” reader poll. It’s easy Orthwein is using that to see why: Small steel drums line remarkable combo for a remarkable purpose: the tables offering samples from to honor her daughter, Anna, a GW student who dozens of drizzling dimensions, from died after her sophomore year. chipotle-infused olive oil to chocolate- In 2009, Ms. Orthwein launched ANNA Bags (annabags.com), which produces the brand infused balsamic vinegar. “It’s an Anna Orthwein, and she dedicates a portion of experience store,” says Ms. Willimann. the profits to educational opportunities at the Also available is Olio’s own creation, university her daughter embraced. Silvertree—an olive oil made with a mix “GW offered Anna the academic rigor of Leccino and Tortiglione olives—as and social environment to develop into the well as pastas, honey, and salts, like wonderful young woman she had become,” Ms. the can’t-miss truffle sea salt, which Orthwein says. Ms. Willimann sprinkles over salads, Anna transferred to GW in 2006 to study french fries, and steak. $5-$30 biology with a focus on pre-med, but died unexpectedly after a brain aneurysm ruptured Olio in June 2007. The Orthweins worked with Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national leadership and oliotastingroom.com honors organization to which Anna belonged, to establish the annual, merit-based Anna Orthwein Memorial Scholarship at GW. Ms. Orthwein, formerly a senior adviser at the During her final year at GW Law, Yael The law firm is still hooked, making National Institute of Standards and Technology Krigman, JD ’09, turned to baking as a a point of continuing the “Monday and an engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space stress-release valve. She kept it up after treats” tradition for the entire office, Center, is the designer of the Anna Orthwein becoming an associate at the D.C. office she says, and Ms. Krigman’s fan base brand. Each handbag emerges through a of an international law firm, where for has continued to expand: Her Cookies painstaking process, first as an oil painting, then wrought by the handiwork of D.C.-area months her “Monday treats” generated n’ Cream cake pop bested 11 others in a leatherworkers and manufactured in New York. office buzz. Eventually she flipped her kids’ taste test set up by Washingtonian As a result, the business has developed hobby and career, opening Baked by magazine in 2012, and later this year she a reputation for combining creative design Yael, an online store that sells her line plans to open a storefront, billed as the with high-quality materials and impeccable of goodies, ranging from cake pops— city’s first “cakepoppery,” across from craftsmanship. The business had the featured the birthday staple’s one-bite retort to the National Zoo. Cake-pop packages start handbag of D.C.’s 2012 Fashion, Beauty, and doughnut holes—to rugelach and bagels. at $24.95 online. Lifestyle Expo, and ANNA Bags was chosen to accessorize the Thomas LaVone Collection at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Fashion Show. Baked by Yael The handbags are available close to campus, in Georgetown, but also in New England and, soon, bakedbyyael.com London, Paris, Dubai, and Hong Kong. At GW the ripple effect of the business and the memory of Anna widens every year. “When I learned I got the scholarship, everything changed,” says Samantha Bauer, BS ’14, who was the 2012-13 recipient of the scholarship. Ms. Bauer came to GW on an athletics scholarship but left the lacrosse team in 2012 to focus on academics. That helped her in the classroom, but losing her athletic scholarship threatened her ability to stay in school. “Words cannot describe what this award has meant to me,” she says. “It truly has changed my life.” —Buthaina Shukri

gwmagazine.com / 55 Elementary school may be too soon for college tours, but it’s never too early to put GW on the map. This children’s book follows the most spirited Colonial of all, GW’s mascot George, as he goes about a typical day visiting friends and alumni around the university. The book takes readers on a stroll past GW and D.C. landmarks, from Thurston Hall to the Mount Vernon Campus, Gelman Library, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Smith Center, where George cheers on the men’s basketball team (spoiler alert) to a last-second victory. The book, published last year, was written under the pen name Nelson Vernon—a nod both to George Washington’s horse and to his Mount Vernon estate. The book can be purchased online through national retailers such as Barnes & Noble (barnesandnoble.com) and through the GW Bookstore (go.gwu.edu/bookstore). $15

Hello, George! go.gwu.edu/hellogeorge

Although perhaps best-known as tall, fast-growing panda chow, engineers are putting a new spin on bamboo. Treated with heat, the plant’s lightweight, Pedal Forward woody rods can be made strong—like strong enough to support two wheels and a human on pedalforward.com the go. It’s able to withstand more stretching and pulling than steel, and is more shock absorbent than carbon fiber, says Matthew Wilkins, BS ’12, MS ’14, who runs the bamboo bicycle startup Pedal

Forward with fellow GW graduates Christopher ©ISTOCK.COM/ MUSHROOMS: / ATKINS WILLIAM KOMBUCHA: CAPITAL HELLO,GEORGE!, DIBENEDETTO PHOTOGRAPHY / JACKIE FORWARD: PEDAL EYEWAVE Deschenes, BBA ’12, and Elizabeth Hubler, BS ’14. Currently, a percentage of each sale helps provide bikes to nonprofit partners Bicycles Against Poverty and the Tumaini Fund, which use them, respectively, to help low-income entrepreneurs in northern Uganda and widows and orphans of AIDS in Tanzania’s Kagera province. Eventually they hope to establish a “buy one, provide one” model, in which U.S. sales enable their bikes to be built and then sold at a lower cost in developing countries. $400

56 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 Capital Kombucha capitalkombucha.com

It’s refreshingly fizzy, slightly tart, and fermented but nonalcoholic. The organic and farm-to-table movements familiar (morels, chanterelles) to the less so The tea known as kombucha, which are great and all, but technically there is one (like bear’s head), are shipped along with a is brewed with yeast and bacteria, higher shade of purity out there. As Nova recipe card that includes details on handling has been enjoyed for millennia, but Kim, ATT ’61, points out: Before there was and use, as well as nutritional and medicinal it’s a relatively new taste in the D.C. organic, before there was farming, there was information. Ms. Kim and Mr. Hook—who also area. The three alums behind Capital wild. Her business, Wild Gourmet Food, has collect mushrooms and greens for Vermont’s Kombucha—Daniel Lieberman, a mushroom-of-the-month club that gives Twin Farms Resort in Barnard and Pane e JD ’13, MBA ’13; Andreas Schneider, adventurous eaters that closer connection to Salute in Woodstock, and who have garnered MBA ’13; and John Lee, MBA ’13—say nature. Ms. Kim and her longtime companion ink in The New York Times Magazine, among their modern take on this iced tea is and business partner, Les Hook, gather other news outlets—offer an array of food the first kombucha to be D.C. born selections from the Vermont wilderness they packages beyond mushrooms, too, as well as and brewed. Whatever health claims call home. Each month two to four servings educational walks through the local woods. are made for kombucha (consult a of a different dried mushroom, from the From $275 physician if you have questions), it’s a drink that’s low on sugar and uniquely appealing, and that’s Wild Gourmet Food enough for us. And with flavors ranging from basil lemongrass to store.wildgourmetfood.com mango chili, and an emphasis on fair- trade and organic ingredients, the founders suggest the drink moves seamlessly from the breakfast hour to happy hour. Find it in stores by visiting the company’s website or order it via online retailers, including Relay Foods (relayfoods. com), Washington’s Green Grocer (washingtonsgreengrocer. com), and Hometown Harvest (hometownharvest.com). From $3.40

gwmagazine.com / 57 MAKING HISTORY: THE CAMPAIGN FOR GW Philanthropy Update

FROM LEFT Wendy Ellis, Qiushi Huang, Vinu Ilakkuvan, and Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch MILKEN These students will be the public native worked as a research smoking prevention. health leaders of tomorrow.” and teaching assistant at the SCHOLARS The inaugural cohort of Department of Food Science Jennifer Schindler-Ruwisch SELECTED Michael and Lori Milken Public and Technology at Cornell PURSUING: DOCTOR OF PUBLIC Health Scholars are: and interned at the Chinese HEALTH, HEALTH BEHAVIOR Group of 4 is the first to Center for Disease Control and While an MPH student at be funded by program Wendy Ellis Prevention. She is interested in Columbia University, Ms. PURSUING: DOCTOR OF PUBLIC lifestyle interventions in cancer Schindler-Ruwisch worked launched with $10M gift HEALTH, HEALTH POLICY prevention and treatment, and at the New York University After a 15-year career in hopes to return to China to apply School of Medicine as a research Four incoming doctoral broadcast journalism, Ms. what she has learned. assistant on food policy and candidates have been selected Ellis’ path took a turn when obesity prevention, and provided as the inaugural cohort of she started volunteering with Vinu Ilakkuvan schools technical assistance in Michael and Lori Milken Public Child Haven, which provides PURSUING: DOCTOR OF PUBLIC wellness programming for the Health Scholars at GW’s Milken therapeutic daycare for children HEALTH, HEALTH BEHAVIOR New York City Department of Institute School of Public Health. who have been abused. She Years of involvement in dance Health. Currently she works The scholarship program is earned an MPH from the and journalism bred a love with BLH Technologies, Inc. funded by a $10 million gift from University of Washington, of communications in Ms. as a contractor for the National the Milken Family Foundation, and now is the manager of Ilakkuvan, which in turn led Cancer Institute, helping which was awarded to the school child health policy in the her to seek a public health to develop tobacco control in March. Office of Child Health Policy career focused on health publications and providing “The scholarship program and Advocacy at Nemours, a communications and marketing. research support on tobacco allows us to offer outstanding children’s health system. After earning bachelor’s degrees prevention-related projects. students from diverse in biomedical engineering and During the evenings she teaches backgrounds the financial Qiushi Huang, MPH ’14 economics from the University a GED class to young parents support to work toward an PURSUING: PHD, EPIDEMIOLOGY of Virginia, and a master’s and pregnant young adults. advanced degree in public During her final semester of degree from the Harvard School —Lauren Ingeno health,” says Lynn R. Goldman, a master’s degree program of Public Health, she served the Michael and Lori Milken in food science at Cornell as program coordinator for Dean of Public Health. “For the University, Ms. Huang took bullying and youth violence To learn more about the first time in our school’s history, an epidemiology course and prevention at the Virginia Milken Public Health we are able to recruit the most realized her real passion. Prior Department of Health. Ms. Scholars, visit go.gwu.edu/ talented scholars in the world to moving to D.C. to earn a Ilakkuvan now works at Legacy, milkenscholars2014. into our graduate programs. master’s at GW, the Beijing a D.C. nonprofit devoted to SCAVONE DAVE

58 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 making history: the campaign for gw | philanthropy update

UNIVERSITY GRIFFITH A GLOBAL The program, funded by the Carlos Slim Family Foundation, LAUNCHES INSTALLED AS EDUCATION, awards merit-based tuition ONLINE YOCHELSON GW-STYLE scholarships to top Mexican CAMPAIGN PROFESSOR graduate students enrolled Slim Scholars Program in two-year master’s degree RESOURCES AND CHAIR aims to foster top programs in engineering, The George Washington Mexican grad students business, and international University has launched two Endowed professorship affairs. Slim Scholars grow websites to keep members of named for “dean of personally and professionally the GW community informed Washington psychiatry” Michel Richaud, Class of through academics, community about the university’s $1 billion 2015, came to GW to pursue a involvement, and leadership, philanthropic campaign, The GW community in August career in sports management, and are provided opportunities “Making History: The Campaign celebrated the installation of and his education already is to visit with global and business for GW” (see page 32), and the James L. Griffith as the fourth affording him an up-close, global leaders around the United States. impact of those gifts on GW Leon M. Yochelson Professor perspective: In February he “The goal of this special students and faculty members. and chair of the Department traveled to the Winter Olympics partnership is to inform and The new campaign website, of Psychiatry and Behavioral in Sochi, Russia, as part of empower future leaders of campaign.gwu.edu, details Sciences. a program run by Associate Mexico to bring about positive, the goals and priorities of the Dr. Griffith, who was Professor of Tourism and Sport lasting change in the areas of campaign and provides the appointed chair of the Management Lisa Delpy-Neirotti. technology, public policy, and George Washington community department in October 2013, “I sort of knew how entrepreneurship that affect the information and resources to follows a brief but distinguished competitive the sports industry quality of life for all citizens,” help the university, its students, list of GW psychiatrists to hold was, but had never seen it says Associate Provost for and its faculty members make the endowed professorship: firsthand before,” says Mr. International Programs Donna history. Learn more about Jerry M. Wiener, David Mrazek, Richaud of the trip. “I’m not Scarboro. “These students the campaign’s main pillars of and, most recently, Jeffrey S. planning to back away from it. simply took Washington, D.C., by supporting students, enhancing Akman, MD ’81, RESD ’85, who Instead, I’m preparing myself to storm with their good ideas and academics, and breaking new now is the Bloedorn Professor of the best of my abilities to have their energetic work.” ground. Read about each school’s Administrative Medicine, vice an edge over the competition In addition to their studies, goals and strategic priorities, president for health affairs, and and have a higher probability of Slim Scholars are able to take find where your passion dean of the School of Medicine landing a great internship and a advantage of the opportunities intersects with those goals, and and Health Sciences. great job afterwards.” that define an education in see how a gift of any size, even Dr. Yochelson, known That “only at GW” experience Foggy Bottom, including unique just $25, can make a difference. throughout the local psychiatric wouldn’t have been possible for internships, special access to Look to the website, as well, for community as the “dean of Mr. Richaud if it weren’t for the policymakers, and student information on other ways to Washington psychiatry,” founded Carlos Slim Scholars Program, a leadership opportunities. All support the university during the GW’s psychiatry department in GW global initiative that brought Slim Scholars become actively campaign, and to keep informed 1959. In 1981, Joseph E. Rankin, him to Foggy Bottom in 2013. involved on the GW campus: Mr. on the campaign’s progress. MD ’46, a former director of The other website, GW’s GW’s psychiatric residency FROM LEFT Slim Scholars Brenda Estefania Ortiz Calva, Javier new Impact blog, gwimpact.org, program and the department’s Arreola Rosales, Michel Richaud, Paola Gonzalez Rubio, and shares the stories of GW donors first full-time faculty member, Benjamin Heras Cruz with President Steven Knapp. and of the students, faculty, and endowed the professorship. programs affected by their gifts. Dr. Griffith has been a Most importantly, it’s an member of the SMHS faculty outlet to share your story. Did since 1994, and served since philanthropy have a positive 2011 as interim chair of the impact on your time at the Department of Psychiatry and university? Has a GW donor or Behavioral Sciences. Under alumni volunteer helped you his leadership, the Washington personally or professionally? Center for Psychoanalysis Want to share why you support recently joined the department GW? Visit the Impact blog and as a new academic division, share your story today. and the department has gained national recognition for its programs in global psychiatry Visit GW’s Impact blog and the rehabilitation and and share your story treatment of political torture today at go.gwu.edu/ survivors in the United States

JESSICA MCCONNELL BURT JESSICAMCCONNELL shareyourstory. and other countries.

gwmagazine.com / 59 making history: the campaign for gw

Richaud was elected as both a SANOFI US announce the creation today of “reinforces the Sanofi goal to cohort representative and as vice this newly endowed position, improve health by reducing the president of social media and ENDOWS made possible by the gift from human and financial burden of communications for his MBA PROFESSORSHIP the visionary leaders at Sanofi,” chronic disease that threatens class in the School of Business. said Lynn R. Goldman, the innovation and the global Opportunities like the Carlos Public health professor Michael and Lori Milken Dean economy. The academic rigor Slim Scholars program help will focus on chronic of Public Health at the Milken and the desire to find real-world build a powerful—and crucial— disease prevention Institute SPH. “This position solutions for preventive care understanding of global affairs, will help to strengthen the and patient access to innovative Dr. Scarboro says. school’s expertise and ability treatments makes this work “To prepare young people The Milken Institute School to target chronic conditions critical to the sustainability of to thrive and contribute in a of Public Health announced with preventive strategies health everywhere.” global and changing world is our this summer a $2.5 million that are effective at keeping Endowed positions are challenge, and GW is able to step gift from global health care people healthy before serious the highest honor bestowed up to this challenge as no other company Sanofi US to endow health problems get a chance to on faculty members, and the institution can do,” she says. a professorship centered on develop.” positions come with funds that “For this reason, it is imperative increasing the nation’s focus on The endowed position will can be applied to research, that we find all possible means prevention and new treatment be located in the Department assisting graduate students, to include and engage students strategies in the management of of Prevention and Community or other critical academic from around the world. Offering chronic clinical conditions. Health and will collaborate endeavors. a global education benefits The Sanofi Professor of with GW’s recently established our educational mission Prevention and Wellness will Sumner M. Redstone Global and increases the success of engage in cutting-edge research Center for Prevention and For more on enhancing individuals, with an ultimate aim and serve as a member of the Wellness. academics at GW, visit of improving conditions for all teaching faculty. Sanofi CEO Christopher A. campaign.gwu.edu/vision/ people and all societies.” “It is with pleasure that I Viehbacher said the partnership enhance-academics.

60 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 philanthropy update

NEW DONOR SOCIETY ANNUAL GIVING LAUNCHED Group recognizes FY ’14 BY THE NUMBERS consecutive-year Annual gifts to GW support students and enable them to explore new opportunities; they philanthropic gifts enhance academics; and they help the university break new ground.

The name George Washington is synonymous with honor, loyalty, and love of country. And the names of many George Washington University donors, too, have become synonymous with honor, loyalty, and love 22,021 of GW. To honor its most committed supporters, the university has established GW DONORS Loyal, a loyalty giving society that recognizes members of the $13.5 GW community for continued GAVE philanthropic deeds. MILLION IN “Donors who make annual contributions to GW are the ANNUAL GIFTS cornerstone of the university’s philanthropic efforts,” says WHICH HELPED Mike Morsberger, vice president for development and alumni relations. “Their commitment, year in and year out, sustains our student-athletes students and faculty who strive to 450+ make history each and every day.” Thousands of members of compete in 24 varsity sports the GW community each year 430 support the university with gifts undergraduate students of all sizes. Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends, and present their original research students who give any amount, during Research Days to any area of the university, for two or more consecutive fiscal years (July 1 to June 30) will be recognized as members of the new GW Loyal society. 868 GW Libraries provide students study out of abroad access to 3 5 2,258,365 undergraduate volumes, 21% of students receive which are electronic financial aid

300 students complete 16,300 volunteer hours on Alternative Break trips to Continue your loyal giving or take your first step at 17 locations, including Ecuador, Guatemala,

GRAPHIC: NGA LE NGA GRAPHIC: www.gwu.edu/give2gw. and the Appalachian Mountains

gwmagazine.com / 61 alumni profiles ... class notes ... artists’ quaalumnirter news ALUMNI NEWS

written after watching the bombardment of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry during the War of 1812—but that’s about all many people know about this fascinating life. A prominent Georgetown lawyer and storied orator, Mr. Key was behind the line of British ships when he witnessed “the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air” on the night of Sept. 13-14, 1814. Having successfully negotiated a prisoner release, he was held by the British until after the battle so he couldn’t betray their plans. Mr. Key didn’t know which side had won until day broke and he saw the fort’s enormous flag flying; the sight In his new book, alum Marc inspired him to write the words that in 1931 Leepson examines the life of became the national anthem. Francis Scott Key, who 200 years Mr. Leepson’s book, his eighth, teases out ago wrote the words that became a compelling portrait. The father of 11 and “The Star-Spangled Banner.” renowned lawyer who argued more than 100 cases before the Supreme Court, Mr. Key also at times was a study in contradictions: [History] He was a slave owner who defended slaves pro bono and sought to curb the international slave trade. For Anthem’s Although Mr. Key had a supporting role in Mr. Leepson’s 2005 book, Flag: An American Biography, the Middleburg, Va.-based author Bicentennial, Exploring still had much to learn, and consulted with GW history professors Bill Becker, Denver Brunsman, and Nemata Blyden. “I owe them the Poet Behind the Song the debt of gratitude,” he says. Dr. Blyden, he notes, helped him understand an aspect of the story that surprised Mr. Leepson the most: Mr. Key’s involvement with the Journalist and author still, the park, which was built in 1991, was American Colonization Society, which sought Marc Leepson hadn’t new territory for him. to send free blacks to Africa to what would been to Georgetown’s “I always just thought of the Key Bridge become the colony (and later nation) of Francis Scott Key Park as the Key Bridge, not the Francis Scott Key Liberia. until a reporter recently Bridge,” Mr. Leepson says. And the adjacent “You can’t judge what happened 200 asked to interview him park commemorating the former site of years ago through 21st-century eyes,” Mr. there. The location Mr. Key’s house on the other side of the Leepson says. And in Mr. Key’s contradictory wasn’t a stretch; bridge also was something of a mystery. “I relationship to slavery, he hears echoes of Mr. Leepson, BA ’67, had driven by it many times, but I had never other famous patriots. “It’s kind of akin to MA ’71, is the author been there,” he says. Thomas Jefferson,” he says. “If you were of the new book What If Washington landmarks bearing going to cherry-pick Jefferson’s writings So Proudly We Hailed, Mr. Key’s name tend to be underfoot but about the institution of slavery … he would a biography of Francis unnoticed, perhaps Mr. Key himself has sound like an abolitionist. And yet he owned Scott Key, who penned “The Star-Spangled fallen beneath the radar. He is widely known hundreds of slaves in his life.”

Banner” 200 years ago this September. But as the author of the national anthem— — Menachem Wecker, MA ’09 LEEPSON MARC COURTESY COVER / WOODWAR /TRACY A. POST WASHINGTON THE LEEPSON:

62 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 alumni news

Although none of them had previous experience with the issue, they felt a responsibility to help. So in 1987, they created Mother’s Choice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those vulnerable girls and babies. “Many of the girls were literally kicked out of their homes and were shunned by the community,” says Mother’s Choice CEO U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Brian A. Hawthorne, BA ’10, Alia Marwah Eyres, BA ’01, daughter of MA ’12, re-enlisted in the co-founders Ranjan and Phyllis Marwah, Army Reserve in Picauville, who along with her six younger siblings France, in June, before volunteered at Mother’s Choice as a child. attending D-Day events. “Mother’s Choice was started to provide a safe and nonjudgmental place for young girls facing crisis pregnancy.” [military] in 2008 after serving his tours in Iraq The organization began small—just one with the U.S. Army Reserve. During his borrowed room—but today, Mother’s Choice undergraduate years, he served as the first has 120 full-time employees and about 680 In D-Day Speech, legislative director of Student Veterans of regular volunteers. America—which involved testifying before The organization provides counseling Obama Salutes Congress on numerous occasions—and co- and residential care for young mothers, and founded and became founding president of operates a home for babies and children with Alumnus’ Service GW Veterans, now a staple organization on special needs who have been abandoned. In During a speech that honored the more campus for student veterans. addition, Mother’s Choice runs a large foster than 150,000 World War II servicemen who Upon graduating he was given the George care program, provides adoption services, stormed the beaches of Normandy 70 years Washington Award, one of the university’s and conducts sex education programs in ago, President Barack Obama recognized a highest honors, for his work on behalf of local schools. George Washington University alumnus who GW’s veteran community. Mr. Hawthorne The organization has provided 51,000 has dedicated himself to supporting a new was selected as a Presidential Administrative young girls with counseling and shelter generation of veterans. Fellow in 2010 and earned a master’s in during pregnancies; cared for 3,600 babies The president told the story of D-Day on political management in 2012. and children, including 2,600 with special June 6 at Normandy American Cemetery, He now serves as a board member and needs; and provided 510,000 students and in France, where 9,387 U.S. military dead volunteer for Student Veterans of America. parents with sex education classes. are buried, in commemoration of the battle The week before the Normandy Ms. Eyres, who is a member of the Elliott that changed the course of history. He also ceremony, Mr. Hawthorne re-enlisted in the School’s Board of Advisors, spent several praised the post-9/11 generation of service Army Reserve. He says it was an honor to years as a corporate lawyer in New York and members, assuring D-Day veterans present participate in the commemorative D-Day Hong Kong before joining Mother’s Choice. at the ceremony that their legacy “is in good events, and that it was “humbling to re-enlist “I am so passionate about serving hands.” … on such hallowed ground.” vulnerable girls and babies in our city,” she U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Brian —Lauren Ingeno says. “It is really my calling in life and the Hawthorne, BA ’10, MA ’12, who was in reason why I quit my corporate legal job in Normandy for the commemorative events, is [Alumni profile] 2012 to take the lead at Mother’s Choice full part of that group, the president said. time.” “Sergeant First Class Brian Despite the organization’s remarkable Hawthorne’s grandfather served ‘No Girl, and achievements, there is an unmet need for the under General Patton and services Mother’s Choice provides, she says. General MacArthur,” Mr. No Baby, “We still have an incredibly high crisis Obama said. “Brian himself pregnancy rate among teenagers and served two tours in Iraq, Left Alone’ many thousands of children languishing earned the Bronze Star in In the mid-1980s, a series in institutional care in Hong Kong,” Ms. Baghdad for saving the of newspaper articles about Eyres says. “As CEO, my role is to develop a life of his best friend, teenage pregnancy in Hong strategy that will help … accomplish our big and today, he and Kong caught the attention of vision: to see that no girl, and no baby, is left his wife use their four Hong Kong residents. alone in Hong Kong.” —Tara Medeiros experience to help other veterans and military families navigate theirs.” Alia Marwah Eyres, BA ’01, runs the nonprofit Mother’s Mr. Hawthorne Choice, in Hong Kong, which provides care and counseling to teenage mothers and abandoned children. U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY SPC. JOSHUA E. POWELL / EYRES PHOTO BY JILL CARTER JILL EYRES PHOTOGRAPHY POWELLBY / E.PHOTO SPC.JOSHUA BY U.S.ARMYPHOTO came to GW

gwmagazine.com / 63

alumni news

Colonials Helping [From the alumni association] Colonials … means that alumni, students, faculty, Fellow Colonials: staff, and volunteers are We are all members of the GW Colonials family. A core value of families is supporting each other—caring about each other’s goals and dreams, and helping committed to looking out each other achieve them. for each other, opening A major focus at GW is promoting a culture of what we like to call “Colonials doors for each other, Helping Colonials.” This means that alumni, students, faculty, staff, and volunteers are committed to looking out for each other, opening doors for each and helping each other other, and helping each other become successful. Colonials Helping Colonials is become successful. the name for the shared expectation that when a fellow Colonial reaches out, you will help. What is new is that we are making this long-standing value part of the daily conversation at GW. We want to talk about it more. To embed values into our culture, we discuss them in our homes, places of worship, and community groups. And so, using the same power of repetition, together we can instill into the GW culture the enduring value that all GW Colonials should help each other accomplish their goals. Recent (and not-so-recent) graduates need to be able to count on you to respond when they reach out—to take their calls and answer their emails or text messages or LinkedIn invites. You can help them, whether it is to learn about your field of expertise, or how to make connections in your community or profession, or other input that Colonials might need. You may well want similar help one day, which is why our Colonials network is lifelong and worldwide. There are countless recent examples of Colonials Helping Colonials: • the GW alumnus who flew to Colorado for an alumni-student event, started mentoring a student, and gave her a job upon graduation; • the GW alumna who recognized the need for a workshop to help students better present their business plans, and then created and presented the workshop herself; • the many Colonials who gave career advice to other Colonials on the Career Advisor Network this year; • the thousands of alumni who supported other Colonials this year by hosting dinners, attending networking events, and mentoring students and alumni; • and the remarkable donations of all sizes to the university that are truly making history. Your GW family is large: 260,000 living alumni; more than 10,000 faculty, administrators, and staff; 25,000 students; and thousands of current and past parents. We have alumni in almost every state and major city in the United States and in more than 150 other countries. No matter where you are or where you go, you rarely will be off the GW grid. A deep and powerful network of support is a hallmark of leading universities, and GW is a leading university. I encourage you to get involved in GW, to volunteer, and to be there for other Colonials when they reach out for help. That is Colonials Helping Colonials. You will find it rewarding, and you can make a profound difference for others.

Best regards, and raise high!

Steve Frenkil, BA ’74 and Past Parent (’06, ’10) President, GWAA, 2013-15 alumni.gwu.edu/gwaa MILES & STOCKBRIDGE P.C. & MILES

gwmagazine.com / 65 alumni news Freshman Advising Good advice has a way of sticking with you—sometimes literally. This year GW’s Office of Alumni Relations reached out to Colonials around the world for advice, encouragement, and wisdom to pass along to incoming GW freshmen. By mail, by Web, and in person at note-writing events, alumni responded in droves. The initiative collected 2,500 pieces of advice from more than 1,000 alumni. And as the Class of 2018 filled the residence halls in August, each student was greeted with a note of his or her own, welcoming them not just to their new D.C. home, but to the lifelong and worldwide community of Colonials. —Ruth Steinhardt

To learn more about opportunities for alumni to connect with students, visit alumni.gwu.edu/alumni-volunteering. WILLIAM ATKINS WILLIAM

66 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 alumni news

gwmagazine.com / 67 alumni news [Museum] For Historian, the Trail Leads Back to GW Pedestrians in the D.C. area might recognize the yellow signs and historic photographs that denote Cultural Tourism DC’s Neighborhood Heritage Trails. At the center of these 16 paths, which run through neighborhoods across the District, is historian Jane Freundel Levey, MA ’91. This fall, Ms. Levey brings her knowledge of the city to GW as a consulting curator for the Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection, which will be housed in the new George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. The homecoming takes Ms. Levey’s career—her life, even—full circle. Born at GW Hospital to Bernice W. and Milton Freundel, BA ’49, Ms. Levey grew up in D.C. and, after college, worked locally as a reporter, garnering bylines in the pages of the Washington Post, Washingtonian, and Regardie’s magazine. “It finally occurred to me that I was much more of a historian,” she says of her tendency as a journalist to focus on stories of how the city’s current issues stemmed from its past. She earned a master’s degree and launched her new career from GW. Mentor Howard Gillette, a professor in the American studies department, introduced her to the Incoming GW students meet each other and local alumni in (top, then bottom from left) Historical Society of Washington, where Chicago, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Boston. Ms. Levey met Kathryn Schneider Smith, MA ’86, the society’s president and a [events] and even some faculty members,” says Shane historian who later launched the journal Ryan, BA ’15, a rising senior in the Elliott Washington History—of which Ms. Levey School of International Affairs. “It’s a time eventually would become editor. Around Globe, to learn more about getting and staying When she took a job at Cultural Tourism Sendoffs Link involved on campus, while understanding DC and started working on the Heritage that your connection to GW lasts far beyond Trails project, Ms. Levey made a point of GW Community your four years here as an undergraduate.” working directly with the community where Carol Conchar, a GW parent and regional each trail is based, ultimately bridging The George Washington University Alumni director of admissions for the Southeast in a gap between longtime D.C. residents Association grew to more than 270,000 the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and newcomers at a time when the city members this spring—and perhaps no says summer sendoffs can also provide was grappling with the effects of rapid GWAA event has demonstrated the expanse relief to anxious incoming students leaving urbanization. of that network as well as the traditional home for the first time, especially those from Uniting people through history is summer sendoffs, held every year to welcome towns and cities several hours or more from something Ms. Levey sees herself continuing incoming students and their families to the campus. to do at GW. Her role involves working with university community. “While we do see about 14 percent of museum director John Wetenhall to plan This summer nearly 50 sendoff events, our student body coming to GW from the exhibits for Mr. Small’s historic trove of D.C. held in 26 U.S. cities and in more than a Southeast, many of the applicants from this treasures. She’ll also brainstorm ways that dozen countries around the world, gave region wonder how they will fit in at GW,” GW can teach D.C. history to the broader incoming students a first glimpse of life as a she says. “The events we host for admitted community, with the goal of making GW a Colonial. students in the region prove that they are principal center for scholarship on the city. “It’s a great opportunity to meet other not alone and they already have ‘hometown’

—Julyssa Lopez new students, their families, current students Colonial connections.” —James Irwin RELATIONS ALUMNI OF OFFICE ALL:

68 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 alumni news

for Civil Justice. Mr. Peck, a Bridgewater, N.J., and resides in Washington, D.C., lawyer with a Skillman, N.J. class notes practice focused on constitutional Chuck Fann, MS ’84, has been and appellate litigation, will serve a selected as Hutchinson Community two-year term. He also was elected College’s 2014 Dragon Educator of secretary of the board of directors the Year. An instructor of criminal for Justice at Stake, a Washington justice, he was selected for the honor D.C.-based advocacy group that from nominees in all academic areas works to ensure fair and impartial by the HCC Student Government Eleanor Powell, J. Phillip London, courts throughout the country. Association. 60S AA ’43, BA ’44, was 70S DBA ’71, received the Francis N. DeLuca, John L. Cox, BA ’84, &EARLIER profiled by Examiner. Semper Fidelis Award RESD ’76, has been appointed MPA ’86, EdD ’09, received the com in the article “Artist from the Marine Corps to the New Jersey State Board of 2014 Fulbright-Nehru International Eleanor Powell: A One-in-a-Billion Scholarship Foundation in May for Medical Examiners by Gov. Chris Education Administrators Grant. Mind.” Ms. Powell describes her his commitment to the U.S. Marines Christie. Dr. DeLuca was chief A primary focus of this award work as “hard-edged geometric and their families. Mr. London also of orthopedic surgery for several involved meeting government and paintings in acrylics, most of which received TechAmerica Foundation’s years at Overlook Medical Center higher education officials to discuss appear to be three-dimensional.” Corporate Leadership Award in in Summit, N.J., and then served collaborating on India’s plan to pilot Her work has been featured in June and serves as executive as chairman of the department of 200 community colleges. Dr. Cox is numerous juried shows and is chairman of CACI International. surgery at Overlook Medical Center- president of Cape Cod Community in public and private collections William Hamilton, Atlantic Health Systems. College in Massachusetts. throughout the country. MS ’71, was among nine Marian Lee, BA ’76, has Luis J. Fujimoto, BS ’85, Thelma Leaffer, BA ’60, outstanding journalists honored in written a children’s book, The was appointed commissioner of in May published an article in the April during the 44th anniversary Lioness of Brumley Hall and Her the American Dental Association’s Cambridge Chronicle & Tab about celebration of the Oklahoma Most Unusual Grandchildren Joint Commission on National a GW Alumni event that featured Journalism Hall of Fame. A master (CreateSpace, 2014). She writes Dental Examinations in Chicago. a discussion of how the media parachutist, he served for 20 years of the book: “The relationship Previously he was the president of shapes the public image of the as an infantry officer, including two between a grandmother and her the Osseointegration Foundation presidency. The talk was led by GW tours in Vietnam, earning the Silver grandchildren takes on a new and of the New York State Board professors Steve Roberts, the J.B. Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, 20 meaning due to the existence of for Dentistry under the New York and M.C. Shapiro Professor of Media Air Medals, four Bronze Stars, and numerous magical powers.” It was State Department of Education. and Public Affairs, and Edward the Purple Heart. published under Ms. Lee’s pen name, He is also a board member of the Berkowitz, a professor of history George Willingmyre, Augusta Pearson Benners. Medical Reserve Corps at the New and of public policy and public MS ’72, published “Patent Policies Roberta Camille Locko, York State Department of Health administration. It was held in April and Standards Setting: The Issues— MD ’76, has been inducted as a and Mental Hygiene and the James at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, What Is Going On? Why Should fellow in the American College of Brister Society at the University Mass. I Care?” in the May/June 2014 Radiology. Dr. Locko is network of Pennsylvania. He is a clinical Michael Galen Martin, edition of Standards Engineering. director of radiology at Harlem professor in the department of BA ’66, is the author of Liberalism: Mr. Willingmyre is president of the Hospital and professor emerita at periodontology of the Nippon Dental The Demise of America (Sophistopia international standards and trade Columbia University Medical Center University in Tokyo. Press, 2013). The book “examines policy consultancy GTW Associates. in New York. Susan Tolbert, MFA ’86, the failure of liberalism by looking at Bruce Merwin, BA ’73, was is a painter and recently showed it from a variety of angles.” recognized in The Best Lawyers Ronald Zelnick, her work at the University of Allen Dale Olson, MA ’67, in America 2015. Mr. Merwin 80S BS ’80, is the 2014 Mary Washington’s Mid-Atlantic EdD ’72, and his daughter, Circe is a partner in the real estate president of the Palm New Painting exhibition and the Olson Woessner, on Memorial Day and banking practice group at Beach County Medical d’Art Center’s Mid-Atlantic Art opened a special exhibit in the Thompson & Knight’s Houston Society. He practices general and Exhibition. She also mounted a solo National Museum of Nuclear Science office. colorectal surgery in Palm Beach exhibition with the City of Norfolk, and History in Albuquerque, N.M. Rhea Shaefitz Oelbaum, Gardens, Fla., and Jupiter, Fla. Va.’s Selden Arcade and Gallery. The exhibit, “Sacrifice & Service: BA ’74, co-authored a chapter Jonathan Chase, BA ’81, Ms. Tolbert is the daughter of fellow The American Military Family,” on end-of-life care for pediatric has published Sing the Story alumna and artist Eleanor Powell, was curated by Dr. Woessner, who lung transplant patients for the (Createspace, 2014), a new BA ’44. is the co-founder with her father International Society for Heart Christmas musical. Gina M. Burgin, BA ’87, of the Museum of the American and Lung Transplantation. Ms. Elliott Kugel, MS ’83, was was appointed deputy secretary Military Family. More information Oelbaum is a transplant social named in the February 24, 2014, of administration for the about the museum, the only one of worker at St. Louis Children’s issue of Barron’s magazine as one of commonwealth of Virginia by Gov. its kind in the country, can be found Hospital. She previously worked the “Top 1200 Advisors in America” Terry McAuliffe. at museumoftheamericanmilitary for Washington University School and also was ranked No. 19 in the James Winslow, BA ’87, family.org. of Medicine researching behavioral state of New Jersey in the same MBA ’91, co-founder and president Judith Zilczer, BA ’69, family interventions for adolescents survey. This is his fifth year in a row of the Salute Military Golf MA ’71, published A Way of Living: with poorly controlled diabetes. Ms. being recognized on the Barron’s Association, is pairing with the GW The Art of Willem de Kooning Oelbaum was married to the late list. He was also recognized by the golf team to grow and expand the (Phaidon Press, 2014), a monograph Stuart Oelbaum, BA ’73, and Financial Times in their FT 400 organization. Student-athletes will commemorating American painter they have two children. ranking for 2014 as one of the top work on their short game with the Willem de Kooning’s 110th birthday. Robert S. Peck, BA ’75, 400 advisers in the United States. SMGA warriors. The book was reviewed in the was named chair of the board of Mr. Kugel is a managing director Carolyn Lugbill, MS ’88, Financial Times. overseers of the RAND Institute of investments at Merrill Lynch in was recently named partner at

gwmagazine.com / 69 alumni news

SHIFTPOINTS Inc., a strategy first space ambassador, and first boys’ freshman basketball coach for and compensation plans, and consulting firm based in Tysons astronaut of Iranian descent, has the past two years, leading the team litigation before state and federal Corner, Va. Ms. Lugbill, who is joined the board of directors of to a 19-1 record. administrative agencies and courts. president and founder of Going CRDF Global, an independent Eric Pogue, BS ’97, was Global Matters, will serve as an nonprofit organization that promotes named to Law360’s 2014 Rising Benjamin Mastaitis, authorized “value-added reseller” international scientific and technical Stars. Mr. Pogue, a partner at S BA ’00, is an assistant of SHIFTPOINTS programs and collaboration Ms. Ansari also is Hunton & Williams, was among 00 counsel at the New York products. Previously, she served co-founder and chairman of Prodea eight lawyers under 40 recognized State Justice Center for as the international activities Systems. for their work in energy law. Mr. the Protection of People with Special director for the American Society of Alysia Mathews Broadfield, Pogue, who earned a master’s Needs in his native Albany, N.Y. He Association Executives. She also is BA ’93, is the author of Just a in geoscience before going on to previously spent nearly five years as a volunteer leader with The Joshua Kiss (Entangled Publishing, 2014). receive a law degree, represents an assistant district attorney in Fund, which provides humanitarian Ms. Broadfield’s debut, a Regency clients in development, financing, Albany, prosecuting violent crimes. relief in the Middle East. historical romance, is the first of her and acquisition of a variety of asset He lives outside of Albany with his Joseph D. Edmondson Jr., four-book series, “It’s in His Kiss.” types and is currently focusing on wife and two daughters. BA ’88, JD ’91, was elected to the Lisa (Looney) Erickson, renewable energy projects. George Arlotto, EdD ’02, board of directors of the Washington BA ’94, is the creator of Migraine Michael Wert, BA ’97, has been named superintendent of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Magick, a migraine remedy that published Meiji Restoration Losers: Anne Arundel County (Md.) Public and Urban Affairs. The committee “combines modern medicine, Memory and Tokugawa Supporters Schools. Mr. Arlotto was formerly a was established in 1968 to provide energetic frequencies and quantum in Modern Japan (Harvard East principal at Wheaton High School in pro bono legal services to address physics.” Migraine Magick is Asian Monographs, 2013). The book Montgomery County, Md. discrimination and entrenched available in the United States and is about the “losers” of the Meiji Michael Y. Bennett, BA ’02, poverty in the Washington, DC is in trial stages in the Middle East Restoration and the supporters who received tenure and promotion community. Mr. Edmondson’s and China. More information at promoted their legacy. to associate professor of English election follows more than 20 years migrainemagick.com. Micah Hauben, BBA ’98, at the University of Wisconsin- of service as a trustee representing Racheline Maltese, BA ’94, received the Ted Damko Award Whitewater. He is the author of Foley & Lardner, where he is a has published her first novel, Starling at the Massachusetts Secondary Reassessing the Theatre of the partner in the firm’s securities (Torquere Press, 2014), a “fairy tale Schools Athletic Directors Absurd (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011/ enforcement and litigation practice. about fame.” Its sequel, Doves, is Association conference. The award paperback 2013); Words, Space, and slated for publication January 2015. is presented annually to an athletic the Audience (Palgrave Macmillan, Renee Lewis, MS ’90, Both books are set in Los Angeles administrator in each district who 2012); Narrating the Past Through S president, CEO, and and are co-written with Erin McRae. has made significant contributions to Theatre (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012); 90 co-founder of the Chriselle Tidrick, BA ’94, their school and community. and The Cambridge Introduction to Bethesda, Md.-based founder and artistic director of Meredith Becker, BA ’98, the Absurd (Cambridge University consulting firm Pensare Group, was Above and Beyond Dance Company, MS ’01, has been promoted to Press, forthcoming 2015). honored by the greater D.C. chapter served as a spring guest artist in executive director at Brightview Mt. Jessica Falcone, MA ’02, of the National Association of GW’s Department of Theatre and Laurel, a Brightview Senior Living has been awarded the Edward Women Business Owners with its Dance, where she gave instruction community in Mt. Laurel, N.J. C. Dimock Prize in the Indian 2014 Woman of Distinction Award. and guidance as students worked Ms. Becker is the former associate Humanities for her as-yet- Ms. Lewis serves on the board of the toward an April performance. executive director at Brightview unpublished manuscript, Battling GW Alumni Association. Ms. Tidrick and her company Greentree, a Brightview community the Buddha of Love: A Cultural Fasil A. Gebremariam, dancers also developed a new work, in Marlton, N.J. Biography of the Greatest Statue MS ’91, is a senior project engineer Dreamscapes, which premiered in Jeff Mordock, BA ’98, a Never Built. The book examines the with CH2MHILL, one of the world’s September in Brooklyn, N.Y. staff reporter for the Delaware controversial plans and practices leading companies in consulting, Andrea Boito, BS ’94, was Law Weekly and Delaware Business of the Maitreya Project, which has design, design-build, operations, awarded the 2013/14 Grace D. Long Court Insider, won five first-place long endeavored to offer to India and program management. He Faculty Excellence Award at Penn journalism awards in the Delaware a multimillion-dollar “gift” of the works with the firm’s transportation State University, Altoona College. Press Association’s Communications world’s biggest statue. Ms. Falcone business group in Chantilly, Va., and She also was awarded the 2010/11 Contest. He won first place for is currently an assistant professor is a professional registered engineer Student Government Association best print news article, best of anthropology at Kansas State in Virginia, Maryland, and the Excellence in Classroom Teaching online news article, continuing University, where she teaches District of Columbia. Award and was promoted to senior coverage, investigative reporting, anthropology courses about South Lillian Rountree, BA ’91, instructor of mathematics and and enterprise reporting. He also Asia, religion, futurity, the arts, and is the senior development officer statistics. took home second-place awards for expressive cultures. at Clarke Schools for Hearing Antoine Hart, BA ’95, continuing coverage and specialty Lester Wallace, MA ’03, and Speech. She will be based in associate director of college business reporting. In addition to works with the hip-hop diplomacy northern New Jersey, with the counseling at the Lawrenceville his print journalism, Mr. Mordock program Next Level, which is a primary geographic focus of her School in Lawrenceville, N.J., has is a contributor to National Public partnership between the U.S. State efforts in the greater New York been selected as the school’s head Radio’s Delaware station. Department and the University of City area. Ms. Rountree comes to girls’ varsity basketball coach. Mr. Lonnie Giamela, BA ’99, has North Carolina’s Department of Clarke after serving for the past six Hart will begin his coaching duties been added to the 2014 Southern Music that sends teams of hip-hop years as the director of outreach when the winter sports season California Rising Stars list by Super artist educators—DJs, emcees, and development at the DePaul begins in November. He has an Lawyers. Mr. Giamela is a partner beatmakers, and breakdancers—to School for Hearing and Speech in extensive background in basketball at Fisher & Phillips in Los Angeles. conduct hip-hop academies all over Pittsburgh, Pa. as a coach and a player at the high His practice includes preventive the world. Mr. Wallace is on the Anousheh Ansari, MS ’92, the school, college, and professional counseling, preparation of Next Level India team and performs first female private space explorer, levels. Mr. Hart has been the Big Red documents like employee handbooks under the name DJ 2Tone Jones.

70 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 alumni news

Eliot M. Bassin, BS ’04, has criminal justice at George Mason a mentoring program designed Dorothy Henry, BA ’48 been elected by the Connecticut University and an adjunct professor to facilitate personal, sustained February 15, 2013 Society of Certified Public of African law at American connections between members Washington, D.C. Accountants to serve as advisory University. He also practices law of the business community and council chair for the organization’s part time in Washington, D.C., in elementary-school-age children. Bennet Porter, AA ’49, MD ’53 2014-15 activity year. Mr. Bassin is employment discrimination for a David Rosenberg, BS ’09, July 21, 2014 a partner in the firm of Bregman & government agency. married Jessica Young on May 18, Hermitage, Tenn. Company in Stamford, Conn. Kris Ansin, BS ’07, a 2007 2014 in Norwalk, Conn. Three other Sally Freeman Parkhurst, awardee of the GW Mannatt- GW alumni were in attendance: Jon Orville Wright Donnelly, MA MA ’04, has recently published a Tractenberg Award for Leadership Jacobs, BS ’09; Harry Ingram, ’51, MD ’57 novel entitled The Emboldening of in Public Service, is now the BS ’09; and Jessie Merron, BA March 28, 2014 Kassia West (CreateSpace, 2014), director of a small nongovernmental ’10. Kennett Square, Pa. available on Amazon.com. She organization, the Mali Health Leah Spelman, BA ’09, resides in Fairfax, Va. Organizing Project, a model received a Fulbright Scholarship to Edward Felegy, BA ’58 Julia Rafal-Baer, BA ’04, was program for community-driven study in Jordan. She traveled there March 30, 2014 appointed assistant commissioner maternal and child survival. In June, this fall. Alexandria, Va. at the New York State Education Mali Health was awarded a Grand Bridget Kathleen Corliss, Department. As a former teacher in Challenges Explorations Award BA ’09, recently began a yearlong Janet K. Lobred, BA ’59 the Bronx, Dr. Rafal-Baer is humbled from the Bill and Melinda Gates posting in Abuja, Nigeria, with January 12, 2014 and honored to serve the educators, Foundation. Action Against Hunger. Ms. Corliss Kensington, Md. families, and students of New York. Stephen Ryan, BA ’07, has previously served with Action Stacey Rosenfeld, joined Northrop Grumman Corp.’s Against Hunger in Juba, South Arthur Alexander Christiansen, PhD ’04, has published Does Every information systems sector in Sudan. BA ’65 Woman Have An Eating Disorder?: Redondo Beach, Calif. Mr. Ryan May 10, 2014 Challenging Our Nation’s Fixation joins Northrop Grumman after Anasse Bari, MS ’10, Front Royal, Va. With Food and Weight (Siena Moon seven years with the Department S CERT ’12, PhD ’12, a Books, 2014). The book “explores of Defense, including a year spent 10 faculty member in GW’s Francis Edward Field, MA ’65 our nation’s unhealthy weight deployed to Afghanistan during computer science October 28, 2013 obsession and outlines practical, Operation Enduring Freedom. At department, recently celebrated the Lander, Wyo. healthy steps to feeling good the DOD he received numerous publication of his book Predictive about your body at any size.” Dr. awards and commendations, Analytics for Dummies (Wiley, 2014). John Cain, MBA ’69 Rosenfeld, a clinical psychologist, including two Joint Civilian Service Dr. Bari co-authored the book with March 13, 2014 also specializes in substance abuse, Commendation Awards and the fellow alumnus Mohamed West Chester, Pa. mood disorders, and sports/exercise National Intelligence Meritorious Chaouchi, MS ’05, and software psychology at her California-based Unit Citation. engineer Tommy Jung. Ralph Kalish, BA ’72 private practice. Rose Hickman, BA ’07, will Dana Sleeper, BBA ’12, was May 4, 2014 Melissa Springer, BA ’04, travel to Mexico in fall 2014 for a recently promoted to executive St. Louis, Mo. MBA ’10, CERT ’12, is the first vice nine-month research project funded director of the Maryland, D.C., and president of client strategy at digital through the Fulbright U.S. Student Virginia Solar Energy Industries William D. Duffy, MS ’73 innovation agency Social Driver. Programs. In Mexico, Ms. Hickman Association. Ms. Sleeper also is a May 16, 2014 Her duties will include managing will work with the economics member of the national Solar Energy Monroe, Wash. multimillion-dollar portfolios of department at the National Industries Association Board of projects and overseeing website Autonomous University of Mexico. Directors and serves as a volunteer Thomas Scott Palmer, BA ’87 redesigns, integrated branding She will conduct field research on board member for the Ralph Verde April 20, 2014 efforts, and other major change a national microfinance program Foundation. Washington, D.C. management initiatives. that extends small loans to low- Erin E. Lamb, BA ’06, joined income women living in rural areas Meagan L. Condon, BA ’92 Rawle & Henderson as an associate to promote the formation of small AND WHAT ABOUT YOU? February 25, 2014 in the firm’s Philadelphia office. She businesses. Submit your own class Charlestown, Mass. concentrates her practice in the Derek Tarnow, BA ’08, is a note, book, or Artists’ areas of catastrophic loss, product 2014 Gold Edison Award winner, Quarter update: liability, construction, premises recognized for creative design Faculty and Staff liability, and general casualty and innovation for his design for email [email protected] matters. She is admitted to practice Logitech of an accessories system mail Alumni News Section William B. Griffith in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. GW Magazine Elton Professor of Philosophy and Andrew Novak, BA ’06, Carlos Paz Jr., BA ’08, was 2121 Eye Street, NW Public Policy published two books on the decline one of eight young professionals Suite 501 February 10, 2014 of the death penalty worldwide: The to receive a 2014 Houston Grand Washington, DC 20052 Washington, D.C. Death Penalty in Africa: Foundations Opera Ovation Award. Mr. Paz and Future Prospects (Palgrave, was recognized for his work with Clarence C. Mondale 2014) and The Global Decline of Neighborhood Centers Inc. He also Emeritus Professor of American the Mandatory Death Penalty: works with Operation Change, IN MEMORIAM Civilization Constitutional Jurisprudence and TEDxYouthDay, and the LiveSmart May 2, 2014 Legislative Reform in Africa, Asia, Intiative. Evelyn Hull Maddox Pope, Washington, D.C. and the Caribbean (Ashgate, 2014). Sydney Prochazka, MA ’09, SD ’46 Mr. Novak is an adjunct professor is the director of programs for the April 17, 2014 of international and comparative Cincinnati nonprofit Adopt A Class, Middleburg, Va.

gwmagazine.com / 71 alumni news upcoming shows by gw professors and alumni MIRIAM MÖRSEL NATHAN, BA ’69, artists’ quarter MA ’71 BBLA Gallery in New York City showcased the works on paper of Miriam Mörsel Nathan, BA ’69, MA ’71, in June. The exhibition, entitled I First Saw the World Through a Mosquito Net…, included mixed-media prints, etchings, and paintings, many based on old photographs. Ms. Mörsel Nathan says her work is a documentation of fragments, “odd juxtapositions of times and places I did not know and those I did experience … It is a process of building and rebuilding.”

Hidden Coconuts, 2013. Mixed media print, 30” x 44”.

TOP Virginia Beach, 2014, etching, 5” x 5”. BOTTOM Path Around the Reservoir, 2014, etching, 5” x 5”. DAVID ALLISON, MFA ’81 David Allison, MFA ’81, is exhibiting Icons of American Culture at the Athenaeum TOP Icon No. 56, 2004, archival pigment print, Gallery in Alexandria, Va. 14” x 11”. BOTTOM LEFT Icon The show, which runs through No. 65, 2004, archival Nov. 9, combines expected pigment print, 4” x 5”. American iconography with BOTTOM RIGHT Icon No. 7, humorous and personal 2006, archival pigment reflections on Mr. Allison’s own

print, 11” x 14”. American experience. STALEY R. GREGORY BY IMAGES NATHAN / ALLISON DAVID COURTESY PHOTOS ALLISON

72 / gw magazine / Fall 2014 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION USPS FORM 3526-R

1. Publication Title: GW Magazine. 2. Publication Number: 6251. Filing Date: 10/1/13 . 4. Issue Frequency: quarterly. 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 4. 6. Annual Subscription Price: 0. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2121 Eye St., N.W., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20052. Contact Person: Danny Freedman. Telephone: 202-994-5709. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 2121 Eye St., N.W., 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20052. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: The George Washington University. Executive Director for Editorial Services: Rachel Muir. Managing Editor: Danny Freedman. 10. Owner: The George Washington University. Address: 2121 Eye St., N.W., 5th Floor, Washington DC 20052. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. Tax Status: The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months. 13. Publication Title: GW Magazine. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Summer 2013. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation ([i] Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months [ii] No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date.) a. Total Number of Copies (Net press run) [i] 220,674 [ii] 235,383. b. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) (1) Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541 [i] 0 [ii] 0. (2) In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541 [i] 0 [ii] 0. (3) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS® [i] 0 [ii] 0. (4) Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS (e.g., First- Class Mail®) [i] 0 [ii] 0. c. Total Paid and/or Requested Distribution (sum of 15b(1), (2), (3), and (4)) [i] 220,674 [ii] 235,383. d. Nonrequested Distribution (By Mail and Outside the Mail) (1) Outside County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 [i] 1,484 [ii] 1,484. (2) In-County Nonrequested Copies Stated on PS Form 3541 [i] 0 [ii] 0. (3) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail [i] 0 [ii] 0. (4) Nonrequested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail [i] 8,231 [ii] 8,239. e. Total Nonrequested Distribution [i] 9,714 [ii] 9,723. f. Total Distribution [i] 230,388 [ii] 245,106. g. Copies not Distributed [i] 0 [ii] 0. h. Total (Sum of 15f and g) [i] 230,388 [ii] 245,106. i. Percent Paid [i] 95.78 [ii] 96.03. 16. Total circulation includes electronic copies. 17. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the Fall 2013 issue of this publication. 18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner

Danny Freedman, Managing Editor

Date: 9/15/14. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties). The George Washington University Washington, D.C. 20052 Change Service Requested