ByGeorge!

Oct. 7, 2003

Hot Headliners at GW’s Colonials Weekend

By Greg Licamele

Families and alumni are set to converge on campus Oct. 17–19 as Colonials Weekend returns as a combined celebration highlighted by performances by the Beach Boys and comedienne Whoopi Goldberg.

“I think we have definitely put together one of the best weekend headliner entertainment combos in the University’s history,” said Senior Vice President Robert A. Chernak. “Interest should cut across the generational line of students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff who are expected to partake in Colonials Weekend.”

Although the Beach Boys’ Oct. 18 concert has been sold out for weeks, tickets remain for the Oct. 17 Goldberg show, which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 pm in the Smith Center. Tickets are available at the TicketMaster outlet in the Marvin Center or on gwired.gwu.edu/tickets.

In addition to the national flair for Colonials Weekend, dozens of events are slated for the expected 6,000 guests. Several reunion events featuring the classes of 1953, 1978, 1993 and 1998 are scheduled, as well as lectures, networking events, educational seminars and fun-filled activities. A welcoming event is set for 10 am, Oct. 18 in Lisner Auditorium led by President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg and featuring CNN “Crossfire” co-host Tucker Carlson.

“We are encouraging all alumni to visit the campus osver the weekend and are reaching out in particular to those classes that are celebrating 50th, 25th, 10th and 5th year reunions,” said Valoree Vargo, executive director, advancement constituent programs.

Rodney Johnson, director of Parent Services, said introducing current students and their families to alumni provides a unique opportunity for both groups to interact.

“Anytime current students can meet alumni and make contacts has got to help them,” Johnson said. “For parents, to see their young undergraduates meeting these individuals is very important. For people who graduated, it’s a chance to see how the undergraduates are doing and to see the differences when they were here.”
Johnson called last year’s inaugural Colonials Weekend a success as it brought together the former alumni and parents weekends.

“Having had last year to use as a foundation, I’m very excited about Colonials Weekend,” Johnson said. “We have a lot of support from all across the University.”


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Related Link

Colonials Weekend Schedule of Events

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