May 12, 2009      

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

** MEDIA LOGISTICS ADVISORY **

WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF RAHM EMANUEL TO DELIVER GW'S 2009 COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS ON THE NATIONAL MALL
MAY 17, 2009

EVENT: 

With the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop, more than 25,000 people, including approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate degree candidates, family members and guests, are expected to attend GW's Commencement on the National Mall.

WHO: 

Rahm Emanuel, chief of staff to President Barack Obama, will deliver the keynote address. GW President Steven Knapp will present Emanuel with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree. Jeanne Narum, director of Project Kaleidoscope and the Independent Colleges Office, will receive a Doctor of Science, honoris causa. John Safer, B.A. '47, whose sculptures can be seen at public installations around the globe, will receive a Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa.
 
WHEN:  

Sunday, May 17, 2009
8 a.m. Media Check-in (4th and Jefferson streets)
9:30 a.m. Processional

WHERE:  

The National Mall, between 4th and 7th streets, NW

NOTES:  

All media should check-in and complete set up by 9 a.m. Limited seating will be provided for print reporters. A camera platform will be provided for electronic media as well as a separate cutaway area for still photographers.

Cable throw from the platform to 4th St. is 375 ft. Distance from media riser to stage is approximately 280 ft.

Limited parking for media will be available on 4th Street near Madison Street (north side of the National Mall near Constitution Avenue). Street parking also may be available.

A parking pass is required and available only by reservation. Media check-in is located on 4th St. near Jefferson St. (south side of the Mall near Independence Ave.) and will open at 8 a.m. for credentials. Credentials also may be picked up on Friday, May 15, before 5 p.m. at 2121 Eye Street, NW, Suite 512.

Please reserve your parking pass and space on the platform by Friday, May 15.  Please RSVP to Michelle Sherrard at 202-994-1423.

For more information regarding GW's Commencement, visit http://commencement.gwu.edu.

- GW -