On Saturday, September 8th, the Presidential Fellows and members of the advising team took part in GWU’s 10th annual Freshmen Day of Service and Convocation. Organized by our partners at the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, the event brought together over 2,000 first-year students, faculty and staff who logged a total of 9,977 service hours at 46 service sites around the DC/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area. This event is part of GW’s annual remembrance of September 11th and was initiated after former First Lady Michelle Obama’s challenge to complete 100,000 hours of service.
The fellows served in a variety of ways, starting as logistics volunteers in the morning helping to check-in the first-years at various locations throughout campus. After congregating in the Smith Center to witness the 2018 GW’s Convocation and President LeBlanc’s welcome message to the GWU Class of 2022, we boarded the bus and headed to DC Diaper Bank to take part in an extremely rewarding afternoon of service. We were honored to be joined by Vice-Provost for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement, Caroline Laguerre-Brown, and her family.
We were inspired by the work of this incredible organization that provides families and individuals in the greater DMV area with basic baby needs and personal hygiene products. Together with first-years and undergraduate student leaders, we packed over 10,000 diapers to be sent out to local diaper banks in various neighborhoods and communities.
This was a great way to set the tone for our service goals and initiatives this year. Thank you once again to the Honey W. Nashman Center for organizing this great annual event!