As members of the George Washington University’s Class of 2029 begin their journey at a place where they will follow their curiosity to create new knowledge and advance ideas to change society, President Ellen M. Granberg reminded them that it will be hard—but that is precisely the reason to do it.
Speaking to GW’s first-year and new transfer students in a formal setting for the first time during Saturday’s annual Convocation ceremony at the Charles E. Smith Center, Granberg echoed the words President John F. Kennedy issued to an uneasy nation during the height of the Cold War and space race more than 60 years ago when he said that “we choose to go to the moon and do other things...not because they are easy, but because…the goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energy and skills.”
Based on the enthusiasm radiating throughout the arena with the calling of schools and group singing of the university’s fight song, “Hail to the Buff and Blue,” GW’s Class of 2029 is ready to launch.
“This is a place where it is our intention to challenge you, to make you dig deeper within yourself, and find that core of resilience and strength I know every one of you possesses,” Granberg said.
“Class of 2029, may you apply the best of your energy and skill and choose what is hard.”
Saturday was the 17th iteration of Convocation, one of two ceremonies that bookends a student’s time at GW—the other being Commencement on the National Mall. It is the formal recognition of the start of academic journeys as new students begin their matriculation at GW, joining a long line of scholars at the more than 200-year-old institution.
The morning ceremony included a procession of academic leaders, trustees and staff members. In addition to Granberg, Saturday’s attendees and participants included Interim Provost John Lach, Trustee Luis Otero and deans of GW’s five undergraduate residential colleges: Alyssa Ayres of the Elliott School of International Affairs, Jane Hyatt Thorpe on behalf of Lynn Goldman of the Milken Institute School of Public Health, Paul Wahlbeck of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Sevin Yeltekin of the School of Business and Interim Dean Jason Zara of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Each of them encouraged their school’s students to cheer and applaud when their school was recognized.
Their students all obliged, emphatically.
Lach welcomed the Class of 2029 to GW’s community of scholars and encouraged them to expand the boundaries of their worldview. By striving to ensure individuals and groups with different perspectives, identities and lived experiences are respected and included, he said, individuals can work together to advance aspirations.
“When we are collectively able to pursue our mission with excellence, you as students—and we as a university—achieve even greater heights,” Lach said. “In your classrooms, labs, internships and service work, you will acquire new knowledge, make incredible discoveries and set yourself on a path of personal growth, career success and societal impact.”
Along those lines, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Colette Coleman reminded the Class of 2029 of five principles—critical thinking, community, exploration, empathy and curiosity—that will help them find their way and shape their mark once they leave the university.
“These aren’t just words spoken or words written on a page; they are the threads we weave into everything we do, from leadership programs to student organizations, from well-being resources to cultural celebrations,” Coleman said.
Brooke Moses, a senior exercise science major minoring in entrepreneurship and innovation as well as health equity, has embodied the mission of a GW student during her time at the university. In addition to being a stalwart in the classroom, Moses has served with engageDC as the leader for Life Pieces to Masterpieces and received the GW Student Employee of the Year Award for Community Service. Convocation student speaker is her latest in a long list of GW honors.
Summoning words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Moses challenged the Class of 2029 to always keep moving, even when at times only a crawl will push them forward. She urged that in those times, lean on community and eventually pay it forward.
“As you begin your journey, I invite you to believe in something deeper,” Moses said. “We believe that community is worth it. We believe service is community in action. We believe in building something bigger than ourselves.”
Granberg pointed to the abundance of resources and possibilities at GW to build just that, citing the more than 500 student organizations to fine-tune leadership skills, endless research opportunities and proximity to some of the most consequential institutions on the globe.
GW’s 19th president said that now is the time when they have the space to exercise this curiosity as they help the university write its next chapter. The Class of 2029 begins, Granberg said, as new ideas are blooming, old systems are being reimagined and people around the world are experimenting with solutions to problems once thought unsolvable—just as putting a man on the moon was decades ago.
And with the beginning of their academic journeys at GW officially recognized, the Class of 2029 has lifted off, ready to reach new heights.
“May you take on the challenges that stretch you, that demand your very best and that help you discover just how much you are capable of,” Granberg concluded. “And when all of us gather for your commencement on the National Mall in four years, may you look back knowing you aimed high, worked hard and became the best version of yourself.”
