Dean Barratt with the Gaffney Family.

One of the many moments that made Commencement weekend so special was my time with alumnus John Gaffney, BA ‘82, who is Chairman my National Council Advisory Board.  It was such a pleasure to meet John’s mother, and the rest of the Gaffney family who had gathered to celebrate the graduation of Sean, the next generation of Gaffneys at GW. The Gaffney legacy continues this fall when Sean’s sister, Caroline, enters Columbian College as a freshman, and brother, Conor, transfers from Franklin and Marshall College for his third year.

John Gaffney and Dean Barratt.

John spoke at Columbian College’s noon Celebration and presented the GW Alumni Association prize to Political Science graduate Julienne DeWalt. He applauded her accomplishments and reminded the students that they are now part of the GW alumni family. As I am a GW alumna too, I sincerely endorse John’s remarks. We hope that our graduates will keep in touch and find ways to participate in our lifelong and worldwide community and give back to their alma mater through volunteer service and philanthropy.

Thanks so much to John for the important role he continues to play in the life of Columbian College!