More than 3,600 new George Washington University students and their families attended Colonial Inauguration , a three-day orientation program organized by the Division of Student Affairs and designed to introduce new Colonials to the university.
New students learned how to navigate university life through performances by the 32 Colonial Cabinet members on academics, residence hall living, health issues and tips for easing the transition into the GW community.
Students also enjoyed a tour of the monuments, a student organization fair and a closing presentation from Tim Miller, associate dean of students.
Other highlights included a new composting initiative at the “Buff and Blue Barbecue,” which allowed students to engage in GW’s commitment to sustainability, and an extended “GW Academic Experience” event that combined school-specific lectures with a faculty meet-and-greet and information tables from a range of academic offices, such as the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research , Clinical Research Administration and the GW Tutors Initiative .
The dynamic experience was captured by GW staff and prospective students via social media. GW Today compiled an overview from their perspectives.
[View the story "Colonial Inauguration Welcomes Class of 2017" on Storify ]Colonial Inauguration Welcomes Class of 2017 More than 3,600 students and their families attended the 23rd annual Colonial Inauguration, the student-led orientation program that teaches new Colonials what it means to 'Raise High.' Storified by George Washington University · Fri, Jul 05 2013 08:49:55
GWCI kicked off on June 13 with four sessions of three-day orientation programs for new Colonials.
I leave for @GWCI in less than 36 hours, so excited! #raisehighEva Palmer
Officially #DCBound! #GWCI #HailHighAmanda Pierson
Excited to be in DC tomorrow and getting to meet @notlovingyou and some of the #gwclassof2017 at #gwci!!! #newfriends #newadventuresMelvin Chase Smith
Colonial Inauguration tomorrow! #hype #GW17 #CI4Parth Vader
At the start of each session, members of the class of 2017 flooded campus. The 32
Colonial Cabinet members made last-minute preparations and joined Big George, Student Association President Julia Susuni and the rest of the GW community in welcoming the students.
Orientation with my roommate @davissneider #colonialinauguration #gwclassof2017 #gwu #thurston #regramMichael Khamis
Three years later, from incoming freshman to Cabinet Member. #gwci #gwu #dc #freshman #senior #timeflys #summerJeff Clare
Backstage of @gwlisner getting ready to speak at @GWCI Kickoff. Can't wait to meet @gwu_17 #GWClassof2017Julia Susuni
Kick off was pretty cool. I'm gonna have to get to know some of colonial cabinet members :) #gwci #colonialism #raisehigh #buff #blue #dcLacy Myrman
Over the next few days Colonial Cabinet and the CI staff taught students about living in residence halls, leaving home, academics, Buff and Blue pride and more. Oh, and there was also a lot of dancing...
Riding the hippo outside lisner auditorium? #onlyatgw #gwuDani Mo
@GWCI Cabinet backstage at Scenes From College Life, as they head off to educate & inform the #GWClassof2017. #gwu pic.twitter.com/jLDelGRP7MPeter Konwerski
Congrats to each & every @gwci Cabinet member performing in our Student Scenes from College Life. #AmazingShow #GWU pic.twitter.com/dBhfNYGnPFPeter Konwerski
Congrats to each & every @gwci Cabinet member performing #Parent Scenes from College Life. #StandingOvation pic.twitter.com/VNOZeYNRUcPeter Konwerski
More than 100 student organizations, all of the undergraduate schools and more than 50 academic, student affairs and administrative units participated in GWCI to encourage the new Colonials to get involved in the campus community and plan ahead for their academic and professional futures.
HAPPENING NOW: "University Services & Student Org Fair" - How to get involved at #GWU! 9:30am in the Marvin Center, 3rd Floor. #GWCIColonial Central
We're chillin' at the @GWCI Student Org Fair, stop by our table in Continental and say hi! #raisehigh #gwu pic.twitter.com/jPzTwI6VFVThe GW Troubadours
Beautiful day for a @GWCI org fair. Looking forward to the fall! #SMPAproud pic.twitter.com/eyXwvnx497GW MSCC
#GWCI #GWU #GWClassof2017 @gwu_17 - TODAY find out about your personality type & internships/jobs - 1130-2 Ames Hall pic.twitter.com/4JZawjCVNDGW Career Services
Siblings and parents had their own
agenda s . Twelve GW staffers helped the Colonials-in-training discover the city through museum trips, a boat cruise, a visit to the National Zoo and more.
Caught @GWCISiblings heading into @gelmanlibrary. Love meeting #FutureColonials #gwu pic.twitter.com/JrlinC0uCZPeter Konwerski
Parents of #GWClassof2017 Don't miss out on the very important "Parents Are a Priority" session during Day1 of #GWCI. ow.ly/lVXBjColonial Central
One of my @GWCISiblings wants to be a Congresswoman and federal lawyer #inspiration #lilcolonials #dclivingRyan Carey-Mahoney
Check out the younger sibs on their way to see Hank, the baby sloth bear, at the zoo! pic.twitter.com/a7wmm1gB6pGW CI Siblings
University President Steven Knapp and a surprise guest -- his dog Ruffles -- met up with parents by the White House.
@GWCI Parents ran into #GWU Pres Knapp walking 1st dog Ruffles @ Lafayette Park, outside White House. #DC #onlyatGW pic.twitter.com/xUvmQ33m9WPeter Konwerski
While parents and siblings were busy, the class of 2017 settled into D.C. and made its own
#onlyatgw moments.
midnight monument walk to end day 1 of Colonial Inauguration! #GW instagram.com/p/bApNU7r0vx/Kait Martinson
"The White House, as you know, is home to POTUS, FLOTUS, BO-TUS, And Sasha and Malia-otus" @meganbshah #bustour #GWCI #GWUBrittany Harvey
Hello future #gwu #colonialinaugurationJody Greene
Just two of the many amazing leaders that I had the opportunity to interact with at @GWCI! @GWTimMiller @GWPeterK pic.twitter.com/PelrkGHpZ3EddieHigginbothamIV
Of course we have @Capsteps performing at @gwci ! It was perfect. #onlyatgwkiana
Our new Colonials enjoyed @GWCI & are ready to #RaiseHigh, welcome @skyler_206, @NickGriff5 & @MiguelACartagen! pic.twitter.com/gDyKrL0IypGW Men's Basketball
Wow! Dance party with the amazing classes of '14, '15, '16, and of course 2017!!!! #gwu #colonialinaguration @GWtweets @GWCICarlo Wood
These @gwbaseball1 freshmen are here for @GWCI and already eating GW Deli. #RaiseHighgw_george
After three days, the students had a good idea of what it means to be a Colonial.
At GW, it's not about fitting into a particular mold, it's about breaking them. #gwciLacy Myrman
"Deeds, not words" -GW @GWCI @ Marvin Center instagram.com/p/bMc55JKMWb/EddieHigginbothamIV
What I learned at Colonial Inauguration was: My Longchamp is a bottomless pit. Alyssa McDaniel
But before they left, Senior Associate Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Peter Konwerski had a few final tips.
The @GWCI final tips: Find balance, do what you love, but try new things. #GWClassof2017 #GWU @GWCIPeter Konwerski
The @GWCI final tips: Make sure to find your network of support. #GWClassof2017 #GWUPeter Konwerski
The @GWCI final tips: Get engaged, both in and out of the classroom.#GWClassof2017 #GWUPeter Konwerski
See you in August, class of 2017!
WOW. just wow @GWCI !!! It was such an amazing experience! Thank you! #raisehigh #colonial #blueandbuffCarlo Wood
Can't get enough of buff and blue ✌ #RaiseHigh @ Thurston Hall instagram.com/p/bPQ_JOBFuQ/Nancy Mannebach
Couldnt be more excited to be a Colonial! #RaiseHigh #BuffAndBlueJenn Uhh
Goodbye D.C. it's been great and I've never been so happy about my college choice, August 21st could not come sooner. #GWClassof2017 #RaiseHighNic Johnson
raise high the buff, raise high the blue! #gwclassof2017kiana
#GWCI #TheBest #Legendary #2017Krizzle ®
