Donning caps and gowns, approximately 5,000 George Washington University students will gather on the National Mall this weekend to celebrate GW’s 2012 Commencement.
Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of “NBC Nightly News” and host of “Rock Center,” will address the graduates and receive an honorary degree.
GW’s Commencement Weekend, which actually spans four days from May 17 to 20, comprises dozens of events. They include the traditional Interfaith Baccalaureate, the doctoral hooding and individual school celebrations. The capstone will be the university-wide ceremony on the morning of May 20 around the Washington Monument. GW is the only school in the nation to hold its graduation on the National Mall.
“This year we are thrilled to welcome Brian Williams back to the George Washington community. He has captured the attention of our students and will be greeted warmly by them and their families,” said Lorraine Voles, vice president for external relations. “Commencement at GW is a unique experience. On the National Mall surrounded by the majesty of our capital city, our students and our honorary degree recipients show the world what being a Colonial is all about – hard work, ingenuity and a passion for changing the world.”
Students in the top 10 percent of the senior class and students in the top 1 percent of the junior class will be inducted into GW’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter, the nation’s oldest academic society, on Friday.
Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, will address graduates at the university’s Interfaith Baccalaureate on Saturday. The ceremony will also feature performances from GW’s Music Department, reflections from GW seniors and meditations from clergy representing various faith traditions.
After earning the right in the student speaker competition, senior Noreen Kassam will address her fellow graduates at the university-wide ceremony on Sunday. Ms. Kassam will graduate from the Elliott School of International Affairs with a major in international affairs and political science.
Mr. Williams, who attended GW for the fall semester of 1980, became anchor of “NBC Nightly News” in 2004, and since then has strengthened the broadcast’s position as the most-watched television newscast in the nation. In 2011, he launched “Rock Center with Brian Williams,” the network’s first primetime newsmagazine broadcast in nearly two decades.
In addition to Mr. Williams, Carlos Slim and Clarice Smith, B.A. ’76, M.F.A. ’79, will also receive honorary degrees.
An international business leader and humanitarian, Mr. Slim has made significant contributions to business and community development in Mexico and Latin America, and his extensive philanthropic work through his foundations has led to improvements and investments in education, health and the fine arts. Mr. Slim was awarded the George Washington University President’s Medal in 2009.
A renowned artist and philanthropist, Ms. Smith is a native of Washington, D.C., and a two-time George Washington alumna. She was also a member of GW’s art department faculty from 1980 to 1987. Ms. Smith has been painting professionally for 35 years and has had numerous solo exhibitions in museums and galleries in the United States and abroad. She currently serves on the Board of Commissioners at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Previous GW Commencement speakers include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; First Lady Michelle Obama; Rahm Emanuel, former chief of staff to President Barack Obama; former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; and then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Individual schools celebrations, which span across May 18 to 20, will feature their own graduation speakers. Diane Rehm, host of National Public Radio’s “The Diane Rehm Show,” will speak to graduates of the School of Public Health and Health Services. Carmen M. Ortiz, J.D. ’81 and U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, will address graduates at the Law School celebration. And GW trustee Linda Rabbit, founder, chief executive officer and chairman of Rand Construction, will speak to graduates of the School of Business.
“The university is always thrilled to be able to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates in such a spectacular fashion,” said Michael Peller, assistant vice president for events and venues. “There is nothing quite like being able to have the great many events leading up to our Commencement on the Mall.”