January 15, 2009       

MEDIA CONTACT: Thai Phi Stone
(202) 994-6424; tpstone@gwu.edu 
Michelle Sherrard
(202) 994-1423; mcs1@gwu.edu

INAUGURATION FEVER TAKES OVER GW

Parade Float Rally, Jan. 19

WASHINGTON--Minutes after Barack Obama was elected president, George Washington University students--on both sides of the political spectrum--swarmed the White House. Many cheered, others simply wanted to be a part of history. Ten weeks later, the celebration continues at the University. Throughout the weekend of Jan. 16-20, 2009, GW will host numerous events, including its fifth Inaugural Ball.  

For many Americans, daily schedules resumed after Nov. 4. At GW, however, students got to work creating a float design to be submitted for consideration in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. News came in December that not only would GW have a float in the parade for the first time in 60 years but also was the only university float chosen. The float will stretch over 70 feet and feature a large inflatable globe, a student-built mini-Baja vehicle, a stock ticker, and more than 50 students representing the University's nine schools and colleges. It will be unveiled on Monday, Jan. 19 at 7:45 p.m. at Kogan Plaza on H Street, between 21st and 22nd St.

Following the parade on Jan. 20, more than 5,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests will attend GW's 5th Inaugural Ball, held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The ball begins at 8 p.m. and will feature live bands and performances, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and an urban lounge with a DJ. Tickets are sold out.

Scheduled Activities Include:

Friday, Jan. 16, 2009

1 - 2 p.m.: BBC Radio will broadcast its popular show Any Questions? live from the Jack Morton Auditorium, 805 21st St., NW. Tickets required.

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009

4 - 7 p.m.: Hosted by Bill Press, Obama Radio Nation 2009 is a special three-hour live national radio broadcast featuring a house band and some of the country's leading progressive talk-radio hosts, including Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller, Randi Rhodes, and many others. The event will be held at Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St., NW., and broadcast live by C-SPAN. Tickets required. 

Monday, Jan. 19, 2009

Noon - 5 p.m.: Members of the GW community will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy of compassion and empowerment by conducting community service activities at Anacostia High School.  Registration is closed.

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.: Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus for the 111th United States Congress will speak and sign copies of her autobiography Renegade for Peace and Justice: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Speaks for Me. Hosted by GW's Black Student Union, George Washington Williams House, and the Multicultural Student Center, the event will take place at 1918 F St., NW. Open to the media.

7:45 - 9 p.m.: GW will send off its Inaugural Float with a pep rally, featuring the Mount Saint Mary Academy Marching Band (Kenmore, N.Y.), Colonial Brass, GW Cheer Team, and the GW mascots, as well as remarks from University President Steven Knapp and Inaugural Float project leads, students Vishal Aswani and Charlie Burgoyne. Aswani and Charlie represent GW's Student Association as president and executive director of programming and activities, respectively. The pep rally will be held at Kogan Plaza on H Street, between 21st and 22nd St. Open to the public.

For more information about GW's Celebration of the Presidential Inauguration, visit www.inauguration.gwu.edu/obama.

For more news about The George Washington University, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.

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