DC Bound Students See GW Through New Eyes

New Colonials glimpse a dynamic city and university through the pre-semester program

August 25, 2014

GW Bound 2014

Nationals Park was one of many sites visited by the 250 freshman who participated in DC Bound last week.

By Brittney Dunkins

Looking out over the field at Nationals Park, Joshua Peace, an incoming freshman at the George Washington University, realized that attending GW meant more than access to world-class academic opportunities and faculty. It also meant discovering a new world.

“I learned that I can hop on a Metro train, get off at the stadium, purchase a $5 ticket and have a great night out,” Mr. Peace said on Friday. “The Nationals Park tour showed me that there are fun and easy activities to try and places to explore all across the city.”

Exploring GW’s unparalleled location in the nation’s capital is a key goal of DC Bound, a pre-semester program organized by the Division of Student Affairs’ Center for Student Engagement (CSE). Through the program, incoming freshman receive a crash course in college life, engage in a whirlwind tour of the city and discover opportunities for academic and experiential learning.

DC Bound strives to seamlessly acclimate incoming first year students to GW, by providing students with the opportunity to meet upperclassmen and other incoming first year students,” said Megan Thomas, program coordinator in CSE. “The program culminated in a closing ceremony that is a testament to the bonds formed between students.”  

Mr. Peace was one of 250 incoming freshman who participated in the three-day DC Bound program last week. DC Bound is a part of GW Bound, which also includes Adventure Bound, an outdoor adventure program that engages students through whitewater rafting, hiking and other activities.

“DC Bound provided an incredible opportunity for me to become acclimated with D.C. and the GW campus, while also connecting me with upperclassmen and fellow Colonials who shared a wealth of knowledge on how to thrive academically and socially,” Mr. Peace said.

The program kicked off last Wednesday with a registration session and ceremony in Betts Theatre. Students then met their DC Bound guides, a cohort of upperclassmen who led the students through three days of small group meetings, discussions of university resources and guided tours of D.C.’s top-rated destinations such as the U.S. Capitol, the Newseum and the National Zoo.

A cohort of upperclassmen served as DC Bound guides. Incoming freshman registered and met their guides last Wednesday. 


Kyle Raglan, a junior in the Elliott School of International Affairs, said that he became a DC Bound guide because his experience in the program as a freshman allowed him to meet friends and mentors and to gain confidence as he transitioned to living away from home.

I wanted to come back and offer the same mentorship that I received and hopefully positively effect the college experiences of the incoming class,” Mr. Raglan said. “I met awesome people who I am still friends with today.”

Incoming freshman and GW Naval Reserve Officer Training Corp member Matthew Molock said that the program—especially the tour of the U.S. Capitol—motivated   him more to pursue his dream of becoming an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

“I feel that I have an advantage in starting my freshman year at GW because DC Bound has given me a unique opportunity to get better acquainted with Washington and my peers,” Mr. Molock said. “I had an amazing couple of days, and I encourage future freshman class members to participate.”