A freshman who owns a coin-appraisal business, the first youth delegate to the United Nations and a nationally ranked table tennis player are among the approximately 2,500 freshmen who will be part of the George Washington University’s class of 2014 this fall.
President Steven Knapp, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Steve Lerman and the college deans welcomed this talented batch of Colonials at Freshman Convocation Aug. 29 in the Charles E. Smith Center.
The students wore color-coded shirts that specified their residence halls and stood when their college deans spoke.
In his remarks, President Knapp spoke about the university’s “deep tradition and culture of public service and service to the community,” citing alumni Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth as examples of how the class can make a contribution to the world.
“You, the class of 2014, are the most academically qualified we have ever recruited,” said Dr. Knapp. “You arrive at – and you powerfully symbolize – a time when this university is moving boldly to achieve and solidify the world-class stature that befits the largest university in this great international city. You arrive, in fact, in the year that begins a decade of transformation that will culminate in the university’s bicentennial in 2021, not too long after you yourselves have joined the ranks of GW alumni.”
Congratulations. Best of luck. And welcome to the George Washington University.”
A barbeque on University Yard followed the ceremony.
GW and the incoming class broke several records for the 2010-11 academic year. The university received the highest number of applications—21,177—in its history with a seven percent increase from last year. The university’s acceptance rate was its lowest ever at 31.5 percent. The class of 2014 has an all-time record high SAT average.
“The class of 2014 represents one of the most talented and academically qualified in university history,” says GW’s Dean of Admissions Kathryn M. Napper. “It was a privilege to read their applications because they’re such a terrific group of students. GW is a place students are very excited about attending.”