April 30, 2004

CONTACT:
Matt Nehmer: (202) 994-6467; nehmer@gwu.edu

GW ANNOUNCES CO-WINNERS OF INAUGURAL MANATT-TRACHTENBERG PRIZE RECOGNIZING UNDERGRADUATE LEADERSHIP

Seniors Graham Murphy and Allison Robbins Honored for Challenging
Social and Intellectual Consciousness

WASHINGTON - Two GW seniors are the first recipients of the Manatt-Trachtenberg Prize, a new award that honors special undergraduate qualities. Graham Murphy and Allison Robbins are being recognized for their efforts to inspire the social consciousness of GW's students, faculty and staff with their contributions in activities that arouse the community. Created by Board of Trustees Chairman, The Hon. Charles T. Manatt, and President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, the annual award will be presented May 16 at GW's Commencement on the Ellipse.

"The many contributions GW students make to the intellectual and social vitality of our community are felt in countless ways and for years after they have graduated," said Ambassador Manatt. "This new award recognizes graduating seniors who are unique and will serve as a lasting and visible symbol of their efforts."

Added President Trachtenberg: "This is an award that honors not only the past performance of the recipient, but one that we hope will inspire future generations of students to take a different sort of path in the pursuit of knowledge and for the common good of our community. Graham and Allie are committed activists both on and off campus and champions of social change."

As a Columbian College of Arts and Sciences student majoring in human services, Murphy's commitment to social change took many forms at GW. He is the founder and direct action coordinator of The Student Equal Rights Campaign, an organization chartered in response to President Bush's call for a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. In addition to being a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and columnist for The GW Hatchet, Murphy also serves as a youth consultant and Northern Virginia program coordinator for the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League. Finally, he is the founder of The Out Crowd, a group dedicated to educating the GW and greater D.C-metro communities about the issues and needs of sexual minority persons. The Out Crowd was the winner of the 2003 Pyramid Award for "Best GW Student Organization."

Allison Robbins is a senior in GW's Elliott School of International Affairs concentrating in international development, global public health and international economics. A tireless and committed activist, Robbins has given countless hours of her time volunteering at Miriam?s Kitchen, the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force and Amnesty International. In addition, she served as a lead organizer for the Progressive Student Union, co-founder of Students for Accountability and was a steering committee member with the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and GW March for Women's Lives Delegation. Robbins did all of this while being a perpetual member of the Dean's List, a Presidential Scholar and member of the University Honors Program and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Both Murphy and Robbins will be remembered by GW President Trachtenberg for years to come.

Winners of the Manatt-Trachtenberg Prize will receive a cash award and have their names engraved on a silver cup that will be prominently displayed on campus.

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