March 30, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT: Thai Phi Stone
tpstone@gwu.edu; 202-994-6424

GW CELEBRATES THE RISING OF THE PELHAM REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ON THE MOUNT VERNON CAMPUS

EVENT:

The George Washington University will host a ceremonial kick-off of the construction of the Pelham Redevelopment Project, a mixed-use living and learning community currently under construction on the Mount Vernon Campus. The event will feature remarks by GW President Steven Knapp; Cynthia Steele Vance, MVC '79, a member of the GW Board of Trustees; Scott Crawford, president of the Residence Hall Association; and Gina Fernandes, Presidential Administrative Fellow with Campaign GW. Fred Siegel, Associate Vice President and Dean of Freshmen, will serve as the emcee. The event will also feature the ceremonial pouring of cement into a building column by President Knapp and others involved with the project.

During the event, Forbidden Planet Productions, a member of the GW Student Theatre Council, will perform "Suddenly, Seymour" from the play Little Shop of Horrors. The What Are They Doing Over There? exhibit from Eckles Library also will be on display. A reception will follow the event.

WHEN:

Friday, April 3, 2009; 4pm - rain or shine

WHERE:

The George Washington University
Mount Vernon Campus
Pelham Redevelopment Project Site (Access site via the Clocktower and Parking Garage)
2100 Foxhall Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007

The Vern Express, the free shuttle service connecting the Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, will offer continuous departures (every 5-10 minutes) from both campuses throughout this event. The Vern Express information and schedule is available online at http://gwired.gwu.edu/mvcl/Express.

In case of severe inclement weather, the event will move inside to the Lloyd Gym, which is adjacent to the project site.

RSVP:

The event is open to the public. Members of the GW community and the general public should RSVP to the Office of University Events at (202) 994-7129 or uevents@gwu.edu
Media interested in attending should contact Thai Phi Stone at (202) 994-6424 or tpstone@gwu.edu.

BACKGROUND:

The Pelham Redevelopment Project will enhance student life on the Mount Vernon Campus when it opens for the Fall 2010 semester. The new building will feature a residential community for 287 freshman and sophomore students in suites of four bedrooms each and a student life center, including a blackbox theatre, arts suite, dining facility, music practice rooms, fitness center and student meeting rooms.

The design of the building is in keeping with the traditional setting of the Mount Vernon Campus and is targeted for Silver certification under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building rating system.

The What Are They Doing Over There? exhibit takes a brief look back at the history of the original Pelham Residence Hall and a peek forward to the brand new residential community and student life center to come.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit www.gwnewscenter.org.

- GW -