September 11, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Sherrard
202-994-1423; mcs1@gwu.edu

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA CHALLENGES THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY TO SERVE 

George Washington Community Commits to Perform 100,000 Hours of Community Service; Kicks Off First Annual Freshman Day of Service

WASHINGTON-First Lady Michelle Obama today offered a significant challenge to The George Washington University: perform 100,000 hours of community service throughout the 2009-2010 academic year. If GW students, faculty and staff meet the goal by this spring, the First Lady promised to speak at the University's Commencement on May 16, 2010. Mrs. Obama issued the challenge during the first National Day of Service and Remembrance, which is the culmination of President Barack Obama's "United We Serve" summer service initiative. Student Association president Julie Bindelglass and GW Senior Shakir Cannon-Moye participated in a Habitat for Humanity community service project with President and Mrs. Obama at the Deanwood Housing Project in Northeast Washington, D.C., as part of the day's events.  

"What's taking place at The George Washington University is what United We Serve is all about," said Mrs. Obama. "My challenge to the GW community is to make service a daily part of their lives."

Mrs. Obama's challenge coincides with GW's first annual Freshman Day of Service. More than 1,500 GW freshmen are expected to participate in more than a dozen different community service projects throughout the Washington, D.C., area on Friday and Saturday with a special emphasis on serving veterans and military families.

"Service is a core value of the George Washington community," said Steven Knapp, GW president. "I am confident that our students, faculty and staff will rise to meet the First Lady's inspiring challenge. Their passion for service reflects their dedication to making a difference in this world."

At George Washington, students are committed to public service and civic engagement. An estimated 50 percent of the 2009 incoming freshman class volunteered in their communities before arriving at GW. This commitment to the community continues after matriculation, as more than 2,000 undergraduates contributed 60,000 hours of service in the District and around the country during the 2008-2009 academic year. Additionally, GW is a top feeder school for Teach for America and was No. 1 in the country among medium-sized colleges and universities for the most Peace Corps volunteers in 2009. 

Mrs. Obama learned about GW's commitment to service in a letter that Student Association President Julie Bindelglass and Student Association Executive Vice President Jason Lifton wrote to the First Lady in June 2009.  In the letter, Ms. Bindelglass and Mr. Lifton highlighted the University's programs geared to encourage service, including the Yellow Ribbon Program and Freshman Day of Service. 

Ms. Bindelglass said, "Mrs. Obama, on behalf of the students, faculty and staff of The George Washington University, I accept your challenge. The fact that our University sits in our nation's capital at the nexus of power and public policy presents incredible opportunities for GW students to perform public service every day. Whether it's interning on the Hill or performing community service in our local neighborhood, every GW student is a public servant of some kind, and that's something we are very proud of."

Service hours will be collected and tabulated monthly by GW's Office of Community Service. Volunteerism, service-learning, federal work study service employment and AmeriCorps service and pro-bono service are examples of activities that will go towards meeting the goals of Mrs. Obama's service challenge. Students interested in participating in community service projects should contact the Office of Community Service at http://gwired.gwu.edu/ocs or call 202-994-5493.

Located in the heart of the nation's capital, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in Washington, D.C. The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 countries.

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