GW PRESIDENT STEPHEN JOEL TRACHTENBERG DELIVERS MESSAGE OF MUTUAL PROSPERITY FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

WASHINGTON - Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, president and professor of public administration at The George Washington University, delivered a message of growth and achievement today to the Rotary Club of Washington.  Trachtenberg spoke of the University’s local history, its rise to become the largest private employer in the District of Columbia and its potential to enrich the city.

“I have no doubt that the education and intellectual contributions of GW and other universities are easily a match for our economic contributions to the city,” said Trachtenberg.  “And both contribute mightily to the business development of the city: we spend money, some of which may wind up in your pockets; and we turn loose educated creative people, some of whom may wind up improving your bottom lines.” 

Trachtenberg stressed that all urban universities have struggled with land and real estate issues with their respective city governments and neighbors.  He underscored the importance of GW’s future success and noted that often times what is in the best interest of the University is in the best interest of the District of Columbia as well.  

“It’s a fact of history that when GW has grown, so has the city,” Trachtenberg said.

The Rotary Club of Washington was chartered in 1912.  Its membership comprises some 200 leaders in the business, professional, academic, civic, governmental, association and diplomatic communities.  It is part of Rotary International, the world’s oldest service organization. 

President Trachtenberg, who came to GW in 1988, recently signed a new five-year contract to continue to lead the University through 2007.  Under his leadership, the University has experienced a record number of applications (17,000 in 2001-02), groundbreakings on several new buildings and most recently was named one of the 12 “hottest colleges in the nation” by the 2002 Kaplan/Newsweek How to Get Into College guide.  President Trachtenberg came to GW from the University of Hartford (CT), where he had been President for 11 years. Before assuming the presidency of Hartford, Trachtenberg served for eight years at Boston University as vice president for academic services and academic dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

For a full-text copy of the speech please call Ashley Adams at (202) 994-9023.

-- GW --

©1996-2004 The George Washington University Office of University Relations, Washington, D.C.
Contact gwnews@gwu.edu with questions and comments.