May 30, 2008

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

GW OFFERS $5,000 ANNUAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS TO SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NATIONAL TOURNAMENT COMPETITORS
 
University Also Offers To Waive Application Fee  

WASHINGTON - George Washington University President Steven Knapp opened the 24th annual Science Olympiad National Tournament Friday by offering $5,000 annual merit scholarships to those among the 1,800 official competitors who apply to GW and are admitted. During the opening ceremony of the event, hosted by GW, Knapp also indicated the university will waive the application fee for all official competitors.

"This is an exciting time to be a scientist. New fields of discovery are emerging at an unprecedented pace," said Knapp. "These scholarships represent an investment in the future of these students and our society."

Sponsored by GW and DuPont, the 2008 National Science Olympiad, which is being held May 30-31, on the university's Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, has brought together some 5,000 middle and high school students, teachers, families, and volunteers to Washington, D.C. During the two-day tournament, 120 teams of students from 46 states are competing in a series of events focused on subjects such as biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and technology.

The Science Olympiad is an international, non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops, and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and national tournaments.

Located four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital. 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.

For more information on Science Olympiad at GW, visit http://scienceolympiad.gwu.edu.
For more news about GW, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org. 

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