Year in review: Defining photos of 2024

By Arwen Clemans, Lexi Critchett, Yngrid Guevara, Daniel Heuer, Raphael Kellner, Rachel Kurlandsky, Tom Rath, Sage Russell, Lily Speredelozzi, Jordan Tovin, Taytum Wymer and Kaiden J. Yu • December 31, 2024

The events of the last year at GW extended far beyond the neighborhood limits of Foggy Bottom or the confines of campus.

From student activism over the war in Gaza, to the presidential election, to destruction from Hurricane Milton, some of the most defining moments of the last year at the University mirrored news headlines reverberating across the nation and world. Hatchet photographers looked through images that captured some of the most striking moments of 2024:

Jan. 16 | Snapshot: Snowy Spring Semester Begins!

Snow accumulates on the George Washington statue in University Yard. (Tom Rath | Photographer)

March 4 | Snapshot: Bird’s Eye View

A GW pitcher throws during their game against Stony Brook University on Sunday. (Lexi Critchett | Assistant Photo Editor)

March 25 | James Bishop IV closes curtain on GW career

Fifth-year senior guard James Bishop IV looks back on his record-breaking career in the Buff and Blue. (Tom Rath | Staff Photographer)

April 8 | Photo Essay: Cherry Blossom Festival

Edo Kite Master Mikio Toki performs at the annual Cherry Blossom Festival on the National Mall. (Kaiden J. Yu | Assistant Photo Editor)

April 13 | Ethan Fitzgerald clinches SGA presidency by slim margin

SGA Sen. Ethan Fitzgerald (CCAS-U) reacts to his presidential win. (Raphael Kellner | Staff Photographer)

April 26 | Live coverage: Pro-Palestinian encampment’s second day of protest stretches into night

Around 50 people gather for Asr prayer along H Street during the second night of the encampment. (Tom Rath | Staff Photographer)

April 28 | Live coverage: Protesters overrun U-Yard barricades on day four of protest

A protester lifts a barricade as demonstrators overrun the fences securing the encampment. (Raphael Kellner | Staff Photographer)

May 8 | Live coverage: MPD arrests more than 30 protesters, D.C. officials say

Metropolitan Police Department officers deploy pepper spray on a crowd of demonstrators at the barricades police erected during their sweep of the encampment. (Sage Russell | Senior Photo Editor)

May 20 | Speakers urge Class of 2024 to embrace nuance, intellectual inquiry at Commencement

Graduates walk out of the 2024 Commencement Ceremony holding a sign reading “35,000+ Dead.” (Arwen Clemans | Assistant Photo Editor)

July 6 | Photo Essay: Trump in Chesapeake

Supporters cheer, raise “Trump 2024” signs, and record as former President Donald J. Trump makes his way onstage. (Arwen Clemans | Assistant Photo Editor)

Sep. 30 | Meet the student DJs mixing tracks in nightclubs across the District

People dance at Saxx Restaurant and Lounge. (Taytum Wymer | Staff Photographer)

Gun safety violations, limited training during GWPD arming sparked departures: former officers

George Washington University Police Chief James Tate takes a question during a walk-through with The Hatchet this past April. (Daniel Heuer | Staff Photographer)

Oct. 3 | Students hold candlelit vigil to honor, mourn those killed in Lebanon, Palestine

An observer at the vigil holds a bouquet of flowers. (Arwen Clemans | Assistant Photo Editor)

Oct. 21 | Destruction from Milton, tornadoes leave students worried about hometown recoveries

The aftermath of numerous tornadoes created by Hurricane Milton in Wellington, Florida. (Lexi Critchett | Assistant Photo Editor)

GW Club Climb mounts rock walls, competes against local rivals

A GW Club Climbing member belays a teammate at Movement Climbing & Fitness in Crystal City. (Rachel Kurlandsky | Staff Photographer)

Oct. 31 | Thousands attend ‘closing argument’ rally for Harris at Ellipse

Pro-Palestinian protesters wave flags in front of a screen broadcasting Harris’ speech. (Lily Speredelozzi | Staff Photographer)

Nov. 4 | Immigrant students, alumni fear second Trump term threatens family safety, US residency

Senior Javier Orellana poses with the El Salvadoran flag on the roof of 1959 E Street. (Lexi Critchett | Assistant Photo Editor)

Nov. 11 | Scenes from a dark election night outside the White House

Members of GW College Republicans march toward the White House on election night. (Jordan Tovin | Assistant Photo Editor)

Nov. 18 | Student dancers waltz through dress rehearsal ahead of fall concert

Student choreographer Livvy Loxton takes a moment with her dancers for one last hug before the start of rehearsal. (Yngrid Guevara | Photographer)

Dec. 4 | Snapshot: Sideline signatures

Redshirt junior guard Trey Moss autographs a young fan’s book after men’s basketball’s win against the Virginia Military Institute on Nov. 29. (Kaiden J. Yu | Assistant Photo Editor)