By James Irwin
Thousands of George Washington University students, alumni, faculty, staff and fans enjoyed a festive Homecoming Weekend on campus Feb. 7-9, punctuated by the men’s basketball team’s 93-67 win over Fordham Saturday afternoon at the Charles E. Smith Center.
Homecoming Weekend participants were treated to several events on campus, including a bonfire Friday night, an alumni tailgate Saturday afternoon and the annual Athletic Hall of Fame induction. They also celebrated the 193rd anniversary of the University Charter—signed by President James Monroe on Feb. 9, 1821—which established Columbian College.
“Sunday marks the date President Monroe signed the proclamation and set in place the Colonial spirit,” GW Alumni Association President Steve Frenkil, B.A. ’74, said. “We have a history here that goes back to 1821. A weekend like this, where we celebrate our namesake, our founding, GW alumni, students, and excellence and accomplishments of the university means you are looking back and looking forward at the same time, because history is about both directions.”
The Friday night bonfire, in celebration of what would be George Washington’s 282nd birthday on Feb. 22, featured performances by Colonial Brass, the Fifes and Drums of Prince William the Third, and the GW Vibes; a special ceremony featuring Colonial Lodge Number 1821; and remarks from Mr. Frenkil and GW President Steven Knapp.
“The lodge is our connection to the Masonic part of George Washington’s life and such a large part of his heritage,” Dr. Knapp said. “This is an occasion to celebrate the community, and even though it’s not his actual birthday, I think George Washington would be very proud to see the way our community is coming together.”
Additional events honoring Washington’s birthday, including a public lecture , a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mount Vernon Estate and alumni gatherings worldwide begin Feb. 17 and continue through March 1.
“If you are able to get over to Mount Vernon for the wreath laying, I think you’ll find it a very meaningful occasion to make that historic connection to our university and the founding vision of our nation’s first president,” Dr. Knapp said.
GW inducted seven former student-athletes into its Hall of Fame on Saturday: former basketball player and current Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey, ’82, eight-time Atlantic 10 swimming championship gold medalist Tim Champney, ’00, baseball pitcher and GW career wins leader Greg Conden, ’03, men’s basketball star Kwame Evans, ’96, two-time A-10 women’s basketball player of the year Cathy Joens, ’04, four-time GW Softball MVP and Olympic bobsled bronze medalist Elana Meyers, ’06, ’11, and women’s soccer standout Kimberly Warner, ’04.
The group was recognized at the GW-Fordham game, as were Mr. and Ms. GW 2014 candidates. The university also announced # HistoryLivesHere, a social media contest to name GW’s newest residence hall at 2121 H Street. Members of the university community are being asked to submit their ideas online until midnight on Feb. 23.