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A Curated Tour of Alumni Weekend 2015

More than 2,000 alumni returned to Foggy Bottom for Alumni Weekend 2015, which featured more than 60 events over three days, including this kickoff party. (All photos courtesy Office of Alumni Relations)

GW's new head of alumni relations offers some highlights.

 

Matt Manfra, who in August became associate vice president for alumni relations, could have been an outstanding docent. He's affable, speaks clearly and laughs in a way that makes you want to laugh, too.

With all this in mind, we asked Mr. Manfra to help us recap Alumni Weekend, which attracted more than 2,000 graduates and crammed more than 60 events across three days in late September. As the new head of alumni relations, he was the behind-the-scenes host of the extravaganza, but also something of a tourist, as new to the event as a 2015 alumnus. "Alumni Weekend was our best-attended ever," Mr. Manfra says.

"I was impressed with the variety and number of events—we truly had something for everyone. I had a chance to meet so many alumni from around the world who are passionate about their alma mater and spread the good news of GW wherever they go."

Pop star and six-time Grammy nominee Janelle Monáe—you might know her song "Primetime"—performed at the Smith Center.
Pop star and six-time Grammy nominee Janelle Monáe—you might know her song "Primetime"—performed at the Smith Center.
Friends gathered at a networking reception hosted by the LGBT Alumni Association.
Friends gathered at a networking reception hosted by the LGBT Alumni Association.
Spread across University Yard, A Taste of GW included 18 food vendors, all of which were local and owned or operated by GW alumni or parents.
Spread across University Yard, A Taste of GW included 18 food vendors, all of which were local and owned or operated by GW alumni or parents.
Alumni Achievement Award winners (from left): Gregory H. Williams, JD ’71, MPhil ’77, PhD ’82; Richard D. Heideman, JD ’72; Christyl C. Johnson, PhD ’12; Elad I. Levy, MD ’97; and Jay S. Kaplan, BS ’08, MS ’09
Alumni Achievement Award winners (from left): Gregory H. Williams, JD ’71, MPhil ’77, PhD ’82; Richard D. Heideman, JD ’72; Christyl C. Johnson, PhD ’12; Elad I. Levy, MD ’97; and Jay S. Kaplan, BS ’08, MS ’09
The Class of 1965 celebrated its 50th reunion and its members' induction into the Alumni Emeriti Society.
The Class of 1965 celebrated its 50th reunion and its members' induction into the Alumni Emeriti Society.

 

Matt Manfra

 

Name Matt Manfra
Position Associate vice president for alumni relations
Hometown Point Pleasant, N.J. Alma Matter: The College of New Jersey, BA '99

Before GW Served as head of alumni relations most recently at Syracuse University, and prior to that at University of Northern Colorado and The College of New Jersey; he also worked in alumni relations at Rutgers University.

At GW Initial priorities are to support GW's 70 regional alumni networks, which span the globe; foster the dozens of existing alumni affinity groups and create new ones; and continue to partner with the GW Alumni Association to promote its efforts and initiatives.

Chardonnay By the Bay

Chardonnay By the Bay

More than 100 GW alumni, parents, prospective students and other guests mingled during a November afternoon of food and wine pairings in San Francisco.

Endowed Gifts: A Primer

Endowed Gifts: A Primer

 The university's more than 1,300 endowments provide funding for scholarships, professorships and programs, among other things, in perpetuity.