March 19, 2002

USA Today Honors Kapoor

Student Association President Named to All-Academic Team

By Brian Krause

Roger Kapoor, a GW senior and president of the Student Association, has been named to USA Today’s All Academic Third Team.

Kapoor, who is graduating in May with a degree in biology, was honored in the Life section of the Feb. 27 issue of the national newspaper. The two-page, full-color spread featured the 60 students who were chosen to be on the first, second, and third academic teams.

Seeking to spotlight the brightest undergraduate students in the United States, the field was narrowed from more than 600 applicants from 46 states and the District of Columbia. Winners were selected not only because of their excellence in academics, but also by their leadership on and off campus.

“I was really flattered when I found out I had been nominated,” says Kapoor. “It made my year.”

Honored not only for his 3.87 GPA, Kapoor was recognized for his efforts in jump starting the Sept. 11 healing process on GW’s campus. In the days following the attack, he planned a Sept. 12 “Campus Watch” in Kogan Plaza — a vigil attended by President Trachtenberg, members of the Board of Chaplains, and 4,000 students.

He helped mobilize students by planning blood drives, donating food to the Red Cross, and holding town hall meetings. Kapoor traveled to every residence hall on campus to see how students were coping and encourage them to be open and accepting and not judge people based on their religion.

“I wanted to ensure the safety of Muslim students on campus,” says Kapoor. “I had heard reports of students being targeted because of their religious background.”

 

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