GW's Bicentennial Celebration
February 9, 2021 - October 3, 2021
Our bicentennial also kicks off an eight-month long celebration for those all around the world who love GW. While we may not all be together in person, we are a strong community—perhaps never more so than during these challenging times.
Together, we will recognize GW’s generations of progress and how GW leaders helped create a top comprehensive, global research university in the heart of our nation’s capital, reflecting on “Only at GW” experiences and sharing the many stories of those who got us here—and the many more of you who are building our future together.
Happy Bicentennial, GW. Here’s to many centuries more. Raise High!
Bicentennial Opening Ceremony
The GW Bicentennial Opening Ceremony on February 9, 2021, featured appearances from prominent alumni, musical performances, insights from university leaders past and present, interactive features and more.
"GW’s generations of global impact and influence have been nurtured by learning and living in the heart of our nation’s capital for 200 years. Together, we are celebrating GW’s accomplishments as one of the most distinguished comprehensive, global research universities in the country."
President Thomas J. LeBlanc
Our Alumni
The collective force of GW’s two centuries is embodied by our remarkable alumni—now numbering more than 300,000 living alumni worldwide. Our distinguished alumni include everything from heads of state and other global leaders, to cutting-edge innovators, entrepreneurs and public health and medical healers. These change makers and creators are in virtually every field of endeavor resolved to build a greater world.
living alumni in over 150 countries
alumni living internationally
alumni in the DMV
80+ Fulbright Scholars
#1 for alumni who join the Peace Corps
17 alumni have been on the cover of Time magazine
17,000+ alumni in public service
Share Your Memories
The GW experience is a tapestry of "Only at GW" moments, in and out of the classroom, on and off campus. What was your favorite GW moment or memory? What are you doing to create a greater world? We want to hear from you.
GW’s Bicentennial Film Series highlights 200 years of "Only at GW" moments throughout our history.
The following 30-second video trailer introduces GW's bicentennial documentary film series. It contains quick clips of present-day GW and Washington DC such as the Metro, Kogan Plaza, the MLK memorial, students awaiting election returns, masked students at BLM plaza, GW Deli, Hurricane Maria, as well as historic footage of the March on Washington and pages from the GW Cherry Tree yearbook. Also included are the phrases "honoring our progress", "witnessing our present", and "creating our future". It ends with the number 200 and the words Coming Soon.
Show your bicentennial spirit and share your memories and accomplishments on social media. Use the hashtag #GW200 to link your posts with this global celebration.
