Celebrities to participate in AIDS panel
GW will host a town hall meeting of students, educators, policy makers and celebrities to discuss the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic Thursday night from 5 to 6 p.m. It will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first HIV/AIDS diagnosis.
The meeting, co-hosted by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, will address how far the fight against HIV/AIDS has come and what must be done to eradicate the virus worldwide, according to a press release.
The foundation is a worldwide nonprofit organization that conducts pediatric HIV/AIDS research. Since 1988, the organization has raised more than $130 million for scientific research.
There will be an interactive panel discussion, moderated by Kate Shindle, Miss America 1998 and “Today Show” correspondent.
Panelists will include Scott Evertz, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy; Scott Wolf, actor from “Party of Five” and a GW alumnus; Kim Webster from “The West Wing” and her 11-year-old HIV positive brother Ricky; Florence Ngobeni, AIDS counselor in South Africa who is HIV-positive and has lost a child to AIDS.
The discussion is being held in the Marvin Center Amphitheater.
Students participate in World AIDS Day events
Students will take part in a worldwide effort to educate about a disease that kills 3 million people a year Saturday for World AIDS Day.
The AIDS Awareness committee of GW, the American Medical Students Association, College Democrats, InterFraternity Council, Neighbors Project, Office of Community Service, Student Health, Student Association, Panhellenic Association will coordinate with other campus groups to get students involved in the effort.
On Saturday the Washington Free Clinic will give free testing from 2 to 6 p.m. in Marvin Center 413 and 414. Confidential one-on-one counseling also will be provided. Students should e-mail [email protected] to schedule an appointment.
In Marvin Center 403, there will be a Volunteer Opportunities Fair from 2 to 6 p.m., where students can find out about HIV prevention volunteer opportunities in D.C. There will also be a letter writing campaign in room 403 for students to write letters to encourage their congressmen to support the U.N. Global Health Fund.
At 6 p.m. in room 403 students can help assemble safe sex kits for the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League.
From 2 to 3 p.m. in room 403, the Whitman-Walker Clinic will present a panel of HIV positive speakers. A workshop will follow until 4 p.m. to help students get more comfortable talking about HIV and AIDS.
On Sunday, students, AIDS activists and D.C. community members will join together for a candlelight vigil at 6:30 p.m. in Kogan Plaza to culminate a week of activities. It will include both international and local speakers, songs and hot chocolate.
Students deck the halls
The Newman Catholic Student Center invites all students to help decorate the 2210 F St. center for the upcoming Christmas season. Students can help decorate a Christmas tree to get into the holiday spirit from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Students of all faiths are invited to attend.
Junior Chandra Hubbard said there will be cookie baking at the decoration party. She said students begin to prepare for Christmas Sunday at the beginning of Advent, in which Catholics light candles for a month in anticipation of the holiday.
Newman Center takes students ice skating
The Newman Catholic Student Center will sponsor a trip to the Sculpture Garden Ice Arena Saturday from noon to 3 p.m, weather permitting. Students with a GWorld Card will pay $2.50, and non-students will be charged $4.50.
Students will meet at the Newman Center at noon and take the Metro to the rink on the National Mall. The event will be followed by hot chocolate at the Newman Center.
-Amanda Mantone
Hillel hosts events, prepares for Hanukkah
A new Jewish student women’s group will hold a discussion at 7 p.m. Thursday on Britney Spears – her lyrics, her look, her music and what Judaism has to say about it.
Hillel will also sponsor Israeli folk dancing lessons Monday at 8 p.m. All abilities are welcome. To celebrate the first night of Hanukkah Wednesday, Hillel will serve potato latkes and soovganyot, which are jelly doughnuts for the holiday 7 p.m. Hillel will host Hanukkah-palooza Dec. 9 at Hippodrome with musical acts including Adam Richman, food and a festival of lights.
-Katie Warchut
