The annual George Washington Week, sponsored by the sophomore honorary Lock & Chain, kicks off on President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 21.
“We see this week as a way to unite our diverse campus,” says Lock & Chain member Brian Feldman, a sophomore in Arts & Sciences. “We also want to celebrate our namesake’s birthday with the university community and raise some money for one of our selected charities, City Faces.”
Founded in 1993 by Bob Hansman, associate professor of architecture, City Faces is a nationally recognized art and mentoring program for inner-city youth.
Lock & Chain is a 15-person organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement both at WUSTL and in the greater St. Louis area.
In addition to organizing George Washington Week, the honorary hosts an annual used book sale that provides students with affordable textbooks, sponsors campus events that help to unite the WUSTL community and engages in community service that aims to combat educational inequality.
Some highlights of George Washington week include:
- A presentation by Hansman, “The Realities of St. Louis,” will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, in Graham Chapel. A community service showcase and reception will take place following the presentation in the Danforth University Center Tisch Commons. Horse and buggy rides will be available on campus from noon-3 p.m.
- Lock & Chain’s birthday celebration and Connect4’s mix-it-up lunch will celebrate Washington’s 279th birthday by encouraging and promoting diversity at noon Tuesday, Feb. 22, in the Danforth University Center Tisch Commons.
- WUSTL’s best dance crew dance competition will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, in the Danforth University Center Tisch Commons.
- Lock & Chain will host a happy hour at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in the Gargoyle at Mallinckrodt Center. Washington Week club night, at Club 15 in St. Louis, will begin at 10:30 p.m.
- The Washington Party, a fundraising event for City Faces featuring student performers, will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, in the Gargoyle.
- Engage 360, an opportunity to take part in community service at the St. Louis Hope House, a transition home for battered women, will begin with buses leaving Alumni House at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. Lunch will be provided.
For more information on the week’s events, e-mail Feldman at brianfeldman@go.wustl.edu.