Alumni shared memories of their times at GW at the Legacy Reception May 13, ranging from finding love in Thurston Hall to how they have used their GW connections to launch impressive careers.
For Steven and Julie Lifton, GW holds a special place in their hearts. The two met in Thurston Hall when Steven was a freshman and Julie was visiting a friend. For their son, former Student Association President and graduated-senior Jason Lifton, it was no question where he would live freshman year.
“They said I had to live there,” Jason Lifton said.
Steven Lifton described the status of the dormitory’s basement as one of the biggest differences. During his two years spent living there, he enjoyed diner-style food served in the basement, something that is no longer offered.
Alumni Mark and Jaye Toor also met at GW. Both were editors at The Hatchet and came to celebrate their daughter Catherine Toor’s graduation.
Although Jaye Toor said they “never ever pushed GW on her,” Catherine has followed in her parents’ footsteps both by coming to GW and also by pursuing a career in journalism – she graduated with a degree from the School of Media and Public Affairs.
Alumna Kay Pierson also studied journalism at GW, but one of the greatest differences she sees between her time at GW in the 1970s and her son’s experience is the growing acceptance and embrace of diversity on campus. She watched May 12 as her son, Marcus Hendricks, participated in the Multicultural Students Services Center’s graduation ceremony, a place that did not exist while she was at GW.
“GW has changed tremendously. The campus is a little less hostile to black students,” Pierson said.
She described spending most of her time at the unofficial “black house” where she and friends would go blow off steam, listen to an eight-track player and play cards.
“We were very isolated,” Pierson said. “No one else would speak to us.”
Hendricks graduated in the midst of what Pierson calls “a sea of change.”
A Trachtenberg scholar, Hendricks has not only been involved with community service on campus, but he also completed over 500 hours of service while in high school. Graduating from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, he is also on a pre-medicine track. Hendricks has been involved with activities on campus ranging from the Navy Recruitment Officer’s Training Course, to Japanese karate and the National Society of Black Engineers.
Pierson could not hide her beaming pride, saying, “My son is light years ahead of me when I was his age. He’s just a good kid.”
