2008–2009 in Review

June 11, 2009

September

‘Univ. to phase out unofficial hippo mascot’

A University official and bookstore contractor said the GW Bookstore would no longer carry hippo merchandise, claiming the University was attempting to create a single, unified brand for the University. Some students were outraged and senior administrators launched a University-wide campaign to assure students that the hippo was "still alive." Hippo merchandise remains fairly scarce in the GW Bookstore, however, due to legal branding reasons.

‘Secretaries of state visit Lisner’

Five former secretaries of state appeared on stage at Lisner Auditorium to discuss problems the next president would face. Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Warren Christopher, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell offered differing advice on America's foreign policy but noted that the new president would have to face the decline of America's prestige abroad. Students began lining up at 5:30 a.m. the day tickets went on sale to receive one of the 500 free tickets for the event.

Secretaries of state visit Lisner

‘Fall Fest fails to draw crowds’

Program Board was forced to cancel headliner Girl Talk for the annual Fall Fest concert after the University and Girl Talk's managers could not come to an agreement on concert security. Two relatively unknown bands and torrential downpours led to a show with only a few hundred students in attendance.

Fall Fest fails to draw crowds

January

‘A front row seat to history’

Despite frigid temperatures, more than 2 million people descended upon the District during inauguration weekend and GW students had front row seats to the events – including the "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln Memorial, the Inaugural Parade, the swearing-in ceremony on the National Mall and GW's Inaugural Ball. The Student Association took GW's participation in the event even further by constructing an inaugural float, which was designed and built by GW students and administrators. After all the costs were tallied, the University said the float set GW back more than $130,000 dollars and its construction was a rallying point for criticism of the SA.

‘Student found dead in Ivory Tower’

January ended on a tragic note when sophomore Laura Treanor was found dead in her Ivory Tower quad. As an active member of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and a contributing Life editor at The Hatchet, Treanor was remembered as a warm and outgoing girl by all who knew her. Medical reports that came back in April revealed Treanor's death was caused by acute alcohol intoxication, also known as alcohol poising. The University announced it will review Treanor's death but have not released any more details about their investigation.

‘Hobbs faces scrutiny after losing streak’

After losing four straight games, men's basketball Coach Karl Hobbs faced tough criticism from fans, many calling for the University to fire the coach. Despite winning three out of four games at the very end of the season, the men's team did not make it to the A-10 Tournament for the second consecutive year.

Hobbs faces scrutiny after losing streak

2008–2009 in Review

September

‘Univ. to phase out unofficial hippo mascot’

‘Secretaries of state visit Lisner’

‘Fall Fest fails to draw crowds’

October

‘Accrediting body puts Medical School on probation’

November

‘Continuous Coverage: Election Timeline’

January

‘A front row seat to history’

‘Student found dead in Ivory Tower’

‘Hobbs faces scrutiny after losing streak’

February

‘'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' hits home for ROTC’

‘University debt reaches new heights’

March

‘JEC boots Boyer from SA runoff’

‘At GW, Obama signals new direction for Department of Justice’

April

‘Columbian College votes to reduce number of GCRs’

May

‘All five probable swine flu cases confirmed by the CDC’

‘Emanuel: All hands on deck for America’