I have a confession to make.  I basically never go to the Law School on the weekends.  I know, I know, I should be putting in quality time with the study rooms in the bowels of Burns, but I just can't bring myself to do it.  It is one of my "new law school year's resolutions" though, and I know I'll get around to it eventually.  I promise.

But last weekend was an exception.  As I came down H Street towards the Law School on Saturday to volunteer, there was something different.  What was that unfamiliar sound?  Was that the faint strumming of music I heard?  And that fragrant aroma - freshly-popped, savory popcorn?  Balloons, banners, and babies everywhere?  Yes - it was Alumni Weekend!

Every year the University and the Law School put on Alumni Weekend, a chance for GW alumni of all stripes to come back to campus with their families and reconnect with old classmates.  You didn't think that all the value of our $150,000+ education ended at graduation, did you?  GW Law is a bond that students have for life, and the Law School puts on a number of events, such as cocktail hours or trips to the theatre, as well as provides services, such as alumni career support through the CDO, to all GW Law alumni.  This year's GW Law Alumni Weekend celebrated the reunions of the classes of 2004, 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1974, 1969, 1964, and 1959.  Let me tell you, there were a lot of stories about back in the day when there was only Stockton Hall, where all the classes were held and professors' offices were on the fourth floor.

GW Law Alumni Weekend events included a luncheon to honor alumni who graduated 40 years ago or earlier, addresses by Dean Frederick Lawrence and President Steven Knapp, tours of the Law School by SBA volunteers, the GW Law Alumni Ice Cream Social in conjunction with the Taste of GW Carnival described above (complete with moonbounce!), class cocktail parties, and the seminal event of the weekend, the GW Law Alumni Weekend Class Dinner & Alumni Awards Presentation at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

The Office of Alumni Relations really outdid themselves this year.  The museum was a stunning venue, reflecting its recently completed renovation.  Alumni enjoyed catching up over passed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails before going upstairs and dining under the dramatic Flag Hall sculpture, and afterwards enjoying the dessert bar and an exclusive private viewing of exhibits such as the First Ladies' dresses and the Star-Spangled Banner.  Two hundred and thirty alumni were in attendance, as well as Dean Lawrence and other members of the administration.

And in recognition of just how important GW Law still is in their lives, three classes presented gifts to the Law School, with the class of 1969 raising over $1 million dollars, the class of 1974 raising $262,275, and the class of 1979 raising $332,415.  Gifts like these allow GW Law to provide financial aid to students, as well as continue to enhance our programs, faculty, and services, so let's give a big THANK YOU to our dedicated alumni who give back to the Law School and contribute to the quality of our education and law school experience!  (PS - the alumni are basically calling out us students to throw down, so I expect this year's 3L Class Gift to be better than ever, hint hint.)

Thanks are also in order for the Office of Alumni Relations, the SBA Director of Alumni Relations, Brittany Garmyn, and her committee, Katie John, Lindsay Paulin, and Emilie Pinkham, as well as all the student volunteers who stepped up to make the weekend happen.  GW Law Alumni love meeting students, so I encourage all of you to participate in this year's upcoming alumni events, like volunteering at DC Central Kitchen in the spring or playing in the end of the year GW Law Golf Outing.  It's never too early to perfect that golf swing you'll use to impress the partners!

But, as the SBA VP of Outreach, there's so much more than Alumni Relations to tell you about.  This year has amazing events in store from our Directors and Committees on Pro Bono/Public Interest and Community Service, as well as the many opportunities offered by the ABA.  We welcome Dean Alan B. Morrison, the Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest and Public Service Law, to GW Law and look forward to the exciting changes he'll bring to the Law School.  Stay tuned, and keep reading those weekly announcements to find out what's on at GW Law!