By Julia Parmley
They painted hallways, picked up trash and sorted canned goods. They planted trees, handed out food and visited veterans. On Sept. 11, approximately 1,400 GW freshmen visited 12 organizations in the D.C. area to volunteer their time for the first annual Freshman Day of Service. Organized by GW’s Office of Community Service, the event spanned eight wards in the District and sites in Maryland and Virginia, including the Capital Area Food Bank, the Washington Home and the Anacostia Watershed Society.
The day of service kicked off with an opening ceremony under a white tent in University Yard with remarks by President Steven Knapp, Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshmen Frederic A. Siegel, Senior Vice President of Student and Academic Support Services Robert A. Chernak, Student Association Executive Vice President Jason Lifton, President and Co-Founder of GW Veterans Brian Hawthorne, and Assistant Secretary of the Navy B.J. Penn, M.S. ’80, who was the keynote speaker.
In his speech, Penn talked about his experience visiting veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Northwest D.C. and told the students that the day was an opportunity for GW students to thank those who have “offered their lives to protect ours.” “You have the opportunity to contribute more to this nation than you can imagine,” said Penn. “We certainly expect a lot out of you.”
In his remarks, Dr. Knapp said the class of 2013 exemplified what it means to be “in and of the community.” “We are a university of public service [and we are] engaged in the challenges facing this nation and our community,” said Dr. Knapp. “You are our future, the future of this country [and] the hope of this nation going forward. And you’re showing that today, in just your second week here as students.”
Dr. Knapp also reminded students of the challenge First Lady Michelle Obama issued the University that morning: perform 100,000 hours of community service during the 2009-10 academic year and she will speak at the University’s 2010 Commencement on May 16. “I am grateful to the first lady for this inspiring challenge and I know our entire GW community—faculty, staff and students--will rise to meet that challenge and we will be meeting the first lady on the mall this coming May,” said Dr. Knapp.
Following the ceremony, students departed for their service sites and volunteered until 4:30 p.m., when they returned to campus for a cookout and a 9/11 candlelight vigil in University Yard.
Freshman Rishi Singhal spent the day at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Northwest D.C. and says he was eager to volunteer his time. “I really enjoyed talking with the veterans and getting to know them,” says Singhal. “I thought it was great to commemorate a tragic day by helping those who have helped us in the past.”
Assistant Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Helen Cannaday Saulny, who visited several service sites along with GW staff and administrators, called the Freshman Day of Service “inspiring.” “It was amazing to watch so many students file in the tent for the ceremony, to hear the eagerness and enthusiasm of the speakers, and to see the students at the service sites,” says Cannaday Saulny. “I feel so proud to be a part of a community that embodies public service and gives back to those who have served us.”