Earth Wind & Fire to Kick Off Alumni Weekend


August 28, 2012

Earth Wind and Fire members stand as a group

The legendary ’70s band will perform at the Charles E. Smith Center Sept. 28.

Earth Wind & Fire will start the Alumni Weekend 2012 festivities in the Charles E. Smith Center. The concert, which will be held Sept. 28 at 8 p.m., is included as part of GW graduates’ Alumni Weekend registration. Anyone, including GW faculty and staff, who registers for Alumni Weekend can attend the concert. There are no tickets for the concert only.  Current GW students can attend the concert for free but need to register. 

The ’70s American band is best known for the hit singles “That’s the Way of the World,” “Shining Star” and “September.” The band, which has sold more than 90 million albums worldwide, has received 20 Grammy nominations, winning six as a group. They’ve been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“We’re thrilled that Earth Wind & Fire will be here, and we think it will be a fantastic way to kick off a fun-filled weekend,” said Stephanie Medwid, associate director of reunions in GW’s Office of Alumni Relations. “They have a very broad and diverse audience base, and they continue to be galvanizing performers.”

Alumni Weekend 2012 will be held Thursday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 30. In addition to the concert, the weekend includes professional development lectures, a run/walk on the National Mall, campus tours, an open house at the F Street House and special reunion celebrations for the classes of 2007, 2002, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1982 and 1962 and for former student leaders of student organizations, sororities and fraternities and student government.

GW’s Alumni Achievement Awards will be awarded Sept. 27 at the W Hotel. Alumni can enjoy a Taste of GW held on University Yard from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sept. 29 where they can sample food from D.C.-area restaurants owned or operated by GW alumni. Restaurants include Dos Gringos, Roti Mediterranean Grill, Pork Barrel BBQ and Cake Love. And alumni can hear about the upcoming presidential election from Celinda Lake and Ed Goeas, the founders of the POLITICO-George Washington University Battleground Poll, on Sept. 30 at a Sunday Political Brunch, which will kick off GW’s Graduate School of Political Management’s 25th anniversary celebration.