GW TO HONOR SIX MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

WITH "GW AWARD" AT COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

MAY 19 

Two Faculty Members, Edward A. Caress and Joel W. Cook; Two Staff Members, Diane DePalma
and Truyen Pham; and Two Students, Jason Cohen and Roger Kapoor will be Recognized for their
Exemplary Service to GW

WASHINGTON - Keeping with a 26-year tradition, The George Washington University has selected six members of the GW community to receive the "GW Award" for their lasting contributions to the University. The awards will be presented at the GW Commencement Ceremony on May 19. This year's honorees include:

Edward A. Caress, executive associate dean, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences; professor of chemistry

For more than 30 years, Dean Careess has been a trusted advisor to deans, staff, faculty, and students, both graduate and undergraduate. Throughout his service as an associate and interim dean, he has been a stable force behind the effective administration of the Columbian College. In addition, he is GW’s faculty representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and has served as co-chair of the University Task Force on Sexual Harassment, executive associate dean of arts and sciences, classroom teacher, and advisor to chemistry majors. He is the authority on budgetary matters within the Dean’s office and the organizer of the financial management system.

Joel W. Cook, associate dean, undergraduate program, School of Business and Public Management; associate professor of strategic management

From the beginning of his tenure as associate dean in 1998, Dean Cook has placed students first and has continually embarked on innovative and collaborative initiatives that result in providing GW students the best possible opportunity to learn academic knowledge and experience leadership skills. Dean Cook’s accomplishments include establishing “Vision 21,” a conference attended by nearly 100 faculty and staff members in order to create esprit de corps to refine and improve the school’s curriculum. He created the GW Paris Study Center, oversees and champions co-curricular activities such as the “New York Trip,” Leadership Conference, and Mintz Sophomore Getaway. Other achievements include the First Year Development Program, career development, honors program, Undergraduate Programs Advisory Council, and an ongoing focus on academic excellence and increasing enrollment to the School of Business and Public Management.

Diane DePalma, director, University Counseling Center

With over 20 years at GW, Diane DePalma’s strength and ability to handle crisis situations is well known. She is a proven leader who helps guide other health services professionals. On September 11, and in the days that immediately following, DePalma had counseling staff in the residence halls, in J Street, and had drop-in counseling services placed in the Marvin Center. In fact, within hours of the first crash, DePalma had mobilized her staff to walk both the Mount Vernon and Foggy Bottom campuses to help students in distress. She joined many of her staff in spending nights on campus and worked closely with the deans and advisors of all the schools within the University to assist those students affected by the tragedy.