GW Alumni Association President Richard Crespin, B.A. '93
GW Commencement on the National Mall
Washington, DC
May 17, 2009

I am Richard Crespin and I am the President of the George Washington Alumni Association. Let me begin by asking all of you who are currently alumni of the University to please rise that we might recognize you.

Members of the graduating class: It is my great privilege today to congratulate you on realizing a dream. You may think it's your dream, but in fact today you fulfill a dream far older, a dream of one man, our nation's first President, who looked out on what was then a young country and saw that a national university in the nation's capital could draw together the youth of that country and they together would forge a nation. Today you fulfill his dream, becoming full members in our lifelong and worldwide community.

Being a member of our community means staying involved. Attend your reunion, support a scholarship, mentor a student. We the alumni of GW are the physical embodiment of his dream and we have a special obligation to ensure that the next generation carries it forward.

After today you will go on to live new lives and do great things, and you will always carry with you the gift that is George Washington.

When you stepped on this field you were just students. When you leave it today and from this day forward, wherever you go, whatever you do, you will always be alumni of the George Washington University. Congratulations.

W. Russell Ramsey, B.B.A. ’81
GW Board of Trustees Chairman
GW Commencement on the National Mall
Washington, DC
May 17, 2009

Good morning and welcome. Welcome on behalf of the members of the University community who are some of your biggest fans, our trustees. May I also ask the trustees who have joined us here today to rise and be welcomed by the audience.

I am also very pleased and honored to welcome our honorary degree recipients. Thank you for being with us today.

Today I am honored to represent the University as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. But I am equally proud to represent GW as an alumnus of this great University. I can still remember my own graduation from GW. I had so many hopes and expectations, and I have found, and I hope you will too, that GW more than prepared me for the challenges to come; and the friendships and connections I built here have lasted a lifetime, and I hope yours will, too.

For me, GW is truly a lifelong and worldwide community. Staying involved and connected is key. So I hope that after you leave you will come back and share your accomplishments, your research, your expertise, and even encourage your sons and daughters to come back here as well.

Today, as you embark on a new future, know that what you have learned here at GW will transcend the years you spent here. What you are and will be was shaped at this great institution. We are proud of you, as I know you will always be proud to say: I am a graduate of the George Washington University.

Congratulations to you all.

I'd like to talk to you for a moment, not only as chairman, but as a fellow graduate. I earned my degree from The George Washington University in 1981. Twenty-seven years later, I'm still talking about the experience of being a student here. I can honestly say the chance to go to GW changed my life, and my GW education helped bring me to where I am today.

As you know, graduation can be an occasion for reflection, so let me invite you to reflect today on a couple of things. When I was sitting where you are 27 years ago, all I knew was that I had myself, my inner beliefs, and what I thought would give me a ticket to as good a life as possible. The one message you have to know is that you must believe in yourself. If you believe in yourself I can assure you that you've had the benefit of one of the world's great cities, you've had the benefit of one of the world's great administrations, and you've had the caring of people throughout the University who really want to see you go out and make your mark in life. Wherever you go in that first job, in that first new school, in that first new home, make sure you know one thing: Whatever you want to do, you can do. If you're willing to outwork the competition and if you're willing to get there early to stay late, you can do whatever you want to do in life.

Look around here today and know that the GW community is thinking about you, we at the Board of Trustees care about you, and we hope to see you coming back for years with smiles on your faces and with accomplishments. We also hope to see many of you back here with sons and daughters and granddaughters.

I'd like to finally say that in your early life, in your mid-life, GW needs you. We need you to give us your time. Whatever city, whatever country you're in, we need you to stay connected. We are serious when we say GW, a lifelong community. We truly are a lifelong community.

Delivered by GW President Steven Knapp
GW Commencement on the National Mall
Washington, DC
May 17, 2009

I am honored to welcome the Class of 2009 into the life-long and worldwide community of GW alumni. You are exceptional men and women and I am proud to call you graduates of the George Washington University.

This is an exciting day for you and the family and friends who have supported you throughout your educational journey. We gather in this majestic setting on the National Mall to celebrate your accomplishments, applaud your hard work and perseverance, and to honor your deep commitment to being an active and engaged citizen of your community, nation, and world.

This year you had a front row seat at the theater of history. You were fortunate to have witnessed the inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama ---- and to have participated -- to have participated in the Inaugural Parade and attended an Inaugural Ball. Today that excitement we all felt continues and has continued as we welcomed our Commencement Speaker. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, thank you for that address.

My charge to you today is to keep alive your spirit, energy, and commitment to public service, keep participating and contributing and challenging others to do the same. You are our future leaders and will no doubt make a real difference in the world. I know you will not only answer the call to service, you will continue to lead the way.

As you go forth to do great things, always carry GW with you and always know that the George Washington University -- at the George Washington University you have a home in the heart of the nation's capital.

Best wishes to you all.

The University utilizes several different mediums to notify GW students, staff, faculty, and community members of emergency situations and safety-related information. Highlights include:

Campus Advisories

The principal method used to communicate incident related information to the GW community.  Students, faculty, and staff use this web site to stay informed about:

1. Changes in university status;
2. Adverse weather conditions;
3. Important issues concerning safety; and
4. Anything else that may disrupt normal operations.

GW Alert Text Message and Email Alert

GW Alert is an emergency communication system that will send important notifications, alerts and updates directly to your e-mail address and mobile device. Student, faculty and staff members are automatically been registered to receive email alerts through their GW email address. To update your contact information and add your mobile device, visit BanWeb. For more information view the GW Alert FAQs on Campus Advisories.

Social Media

Selected GW Campus Advisories posted to the university's Twitter account and Facebook status.

For additional information on emergency communications and emergency preparedness, please visit Campus Advisories.

All emergencies should be reported to the GW Police Department (GWPD) as soon as possible.

GW Police

Emergency

• Foggy Bottom Campus: 202-994-6111
• Mount Vernon Campus: 202-242-6111

Non-Emergency

• Foggy Bottom Campus: 202-994-6110
• Mount Vernon Campus: 202-242-6110

Program these numbers into your cell phone.

“Emergencies” constitute all imminent threats or hazards to people or property and may be any kind of incident, including accidents, injuries, alcohol or drug abuse, fire or loss of utilities in a campus building.

The GWPD has established procedures for reporting a wide range of emergency situations. During an incident, look for and try to remember details that can be used when reporting the emergency.

Guidelines for GW Community Members

If you observe a crime in progress, or observe behavior that you believe is suspicious or criminal, immediately notify the GW Police Department. Report as much information as possible including:

• What the person(s) is doing,
• Where it is happening,
• Time of day,
• Physical and clothing description of those involved,
• The type of weapons involved, if any,
• Vehicle description and license number, if appropriate, and
• Last observed direction of travel.

Do not approach or attempt to apprehend the person(s) involved. Stay on the phone with the GWPD dispatcher until the first officer arrives at your location. Be sure to provide additional information as changes occur in the situation.

Emergency

• Foggy Bottom Campus: 202-994-6111
• Mount Vernon Campus: 202-242-6111

Non-Emergency

• Foggy Bottom Campus: 202-994-6110
• Mount Vernon Campus: 202-242-6110

911: Metropolitan Police in D.C. and Virginia can be contacted in an emergency, even if GW Police have been contacted.

GW Recorded Information Line

For updates on weather delays or incidents that may affect the GW community

• Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses: 202-994-5050
• Virginia Campus: 703-726-8333

Other University Resources

• GW Student Health Service (24/7): 202-994-6827
• University Counseling Center (24/7): 202-994-5300
• GW Hospital Emergency Room: 202-741-4911
• GW Hospital Information: 202-715-4000
• GW Sexual Assault Response Consultative (SARC) Team: 202-994-7222
• GW Student Housing: 202-994-2552

Washington D.C. Resources

D.C. Metropolitan Police Department

• Emergency: 911
• Non-emergency: 311
• Non-emergency outside D.C.: 202-737-4404

Emergency Fire and EMS

• D.C. Fire: 911
• D.C. Emergency Medical Services: 911
• Non-Emergency: 202-673-3331

Other Important Numbers

• Poison Control Center: 202-625-3333
• D.C. Rape Crisis Center: 202-333-RAPE (7273)
• Washington Hospital Center: 202-877-7000

To comply with Federal statutes and to provide important information to the GW community, the university publishes annual crime statistics for its three main campuses – Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon and Loudon County – and its satellite locations.

Data for the report comes from the George Washington University Police Department (GWPD), the Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the GW Hospital Security Department and non-police officials. Crime statistics reported to any of these sources are recorded in the calendar year the crime was reported.

An annual request for statistical information goes to all University deans, directors and department heads. The employees at the University Counseling Center also supply data to GWPD, even though they are not required by law to provide statistics for the compliance document. Members of the Sexual Assault Response Consultative (SARC) Team also inform GWPD about cases in which victims choose not to files report with the GWPD or MPD.

The final statistics are reported to the University community in the "Pride in Protection & Service" brochure (referred to as the "Pride" brochure) published by the George Washington University Police Department and posted on the GWPD Web site. Each time the information is updated, a postcard is sent to every enrolled student and current employee summarizing the contents of the "Pride" brochure and providing the GWPD Web site address where the information can be found. Members of the community can also request a printed copy of the brochure.

The George Washington University campuses are situated in some of the safest areas of Washington, D.C., and its suburbs. The George Washington University Police Department (GWPD) has several safety programs and services to assist members of the GW community. All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal safety and the security of their belongings and property.

The George Washington University Police Department

Our department's motto, "Pride in Protection and Service," reflects the University’s commitment to work with the GW community to keep our campuses safe and secure. GWPD takes a proactive role in progressive campus policing. As the campus law enforcement agency, the George Washington University Police Department is responsible for protecting life and property, conducting crime awareness and prevention programs, defending University rules and regulations, enforcing District of Columbia laws and upholding federal statutes. It provides emergency and safety services, serving as a resource for information on emergency procedures, theft and crime prevention and campus crime statistics.

GWPD employs more than 100 uniformed personnel. All are special police officers commissioned by, or security officers licensed by, the District of Columbia government. The GWPD patrols our campuses and the neighboring community 24 hours a day, every day. The department has 15 additional staff members who work at GWPD headquarters in Woodhull House. GWPD officers cover the campus by foot, on bicycle and in vehicle patrols. They also staff fixed posts. GWPD also hires students to work as community service aides in some residence halls and academic buildings. These students check IDs and serve as extra “eyes and ears” for the GW police.

GW Safety Programs and Services:

Emergency Medical Response Group (EMeRG)
This is a basic emergency-response and life-support agency within the District of Columbia. EMeRG’s certified GW personnel provide quality emergency medical services to the campus.

4-Ride Escort Service and Colonial Express Shuttle Bus
GWPD coordinates two safe travel alternatives. 4-Ride is a fleet of escort vehicles that pick up and drop off students, faculty and administrators anywhere within three blocks of campus. The Colonial Express Shuttle Bus runs two routes around campus, stopping at residence halls and major campus buildings. These routes are outlined on the GWPD Web site.

Blue Light Phones
There are approximately 36 emergency phones throughout our campuses. When the button on the emergency phone is pressed, a bright light flashes atop the phone tower and the phone automatically dials the George Washington University Police Department Dispatch Center. A caller's location is immediately reported and officers are quickly dispatched.

Operation Identification
The GWPD engraves driver’s license numbers on valuables to assist in their positive identification or recovery in the event the items are lost or stolen.

Self Defense Classes
The GW Police Department offers a self-defense course that consists of basic techniques from various martial arts disciplines. Women learn to utilize their greater lower body strength, enabling them to increase their power when defending themselves.

Crime Prevention Programming
GWPD presentations to campus groups aim to educate the GW community about current crime trends and security programs and services. The programs also educate community members about ways to protect themselves from being victimized.