Between the Olympics, Tinder and watching Kim Kardashian’s snapchats, there were plenty of valid excuses this summer not to keep up with GW news. Here’s what you missed while swiping right on your high school chemistry partner.
Knapp announces final year as University President
After ten years at the helm, University President Steven Knapp announced in June that he will not renew his contract. Knapp will share a final Commencement with this year’s graduating seniors and officially leave GW next July. His list of accomplishments includes launching a $1 billion fundraising campaign, expanding the University’s dedication to sustainability and hiring deans for all of GW’s schools.
A 19-member search committee has already begun a national search for a new president. The committee will choose finalists to fill Knapp’s position by January, and the Board of Trustees will make a final decision in early 2017.
Dining overhaul
Unfortunately, overlooked by Eater’s “Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings” list, the six vendors that will occupy the basement of District House were announced in June. Students will be able to add Chick-fil-A, Wiseguy NY Pizza, Beef ‘n’ Bread, GRK Fresh Greek, Sol Mexican Grill and Peet’s Coffee & Tea to their between-class lunch options.
These eateries are not the only dining changes on campus. The University has officially ended its decade-long contract with food provider Sodexo, and officials have not yet announced what, if anything, will replace Foggy Bottom’s food-court-style dining hall, J Street.
Maltzman named permanent provost
University President Steven Knapp announced in June that Forrest Maltzman would become the permanent provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Maltzman served as interim provost last semester when Steven Lerman stepped down after five years in the position. Having served as senior vice provost for academic affairs and planning, as well as chair of the political science department, Maltzman is no stranger to GW’s inner workings.
Former dorm to become “millennial” apartments
Students hoping to live off-campus in their later years at GW should keep an eye on “Varsity on K,” the newly renovated City Hall that is scheduled to open in early January. This new apartment building will be geared toward college-aged millennials and young professionals and is owned by Durant Berkeley Partners LLC. The company bought the building from GW in May for almost $80 million.
The Hall on Virginia Avenue was also sold this summer to Urban Investment Partners and JP Morgan, who bought the former graduate residence hall for $36 million. The sale takes the place of planned renovations for the building, which will also become apartments.
Solomou appointed as dean of admissions
The Class of 2021 will be the first to see Costas Solomou’s name at the bottom of their acceptance letters. The former Queens University dean of admission was hired as GW’s dean of undergraduate admissions in July, two months after Karen Stroud Felton left the post. Felton had worked in the office since 2010 and became the fifth high-level administrator to leave the University when she announced her resignation. Solomou stepped into his role on Aug. 15 and said he hopes to “bring both passion and vision to GW” in a July 1 release.
