A Capital Start

While the banners proclaimed it was for generations to come, the capital campaign made sure current students, faculty and staff all enjoyed its ceremonial kickoff event.

The university launched its $1.5 billion capital campaign Friday in spectacular fashion — and undergraduates at the center of all the festivities, a highly laudable and strategic gesture by the administration.

"Think About it: An Afternoon of Ideas" presented the campus community with a series of Georgetown's most notable names and faces — Madeleine Albright, John Thompson III, Paul Tagliabue, Ted Leonsis, Alonzo Mourning, Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud — that was free to anyone who wanted to drop by and listen.

Following the talks, Georgetown held a celebration for the main campus. Georgetown University Student Association President Michael Meaney (SFS '12) was selected to give the toast in honor of the event alongside President DeGioia and Mourning on the Healy Steps. Afterward, Georgetown students were treated to music and a free gourmet dinner in a heated tent on the front lawn. All the while, banners displayed on the four buildings of the front lawn illuminated with elaborate lighting.

With gestures like this, the administration made a movement both for today and tomorrow, making us appreciate our roots even before we leave the gates behind.