Dean Ben Vinson recently reflected on his vision for an “engaged liberal arts” and the educational enterprise. As the college marks the two-year anniversary of his deanship and the start of another academic year, he shared his thoughts on where we’ve been—and where we are going. Read more.

Scientists have long believed that a body mass growth spurt kick started early human development. But Human Paleobiology’s Mark Grabowski rocked the evolutionary studies world by revealing that, when it comes to the origins of our species, size didn’t really matter. Read more.

From Art Therapy to Anthropology, from Philosophy to Physics, Columbian College welcomed 12 new full-time faculty members this year, bringing the total number to 494—and strengthening disciplines across the sciences, social sciences and humanities. Read more.

Brighter lights in the studios, upgraded AC in the classrooms and a power-scrubbing for the Canova Lions flanking the 17th Street entrance—these are all part of the multi-year, multi-phase renovations now underway at the historic Beaux Arts Corcoran building. Read more.

Peter Nemes was named the 2015 Beckman Young Investigator, which recognizes promising young faculty in chemistry and life sciences. The prestigious recognition includes a $750,000 award to support his research on brain proteins to better understand roots of disorders like Alzheimer’s and autism. Read more.

On the scene at racially charged events in Ferguson and Baltimore, Zinhle Essamuah, BA ’15, used her Media and Public Affairs skills to capture the unfolding stories on film. As a winner of a Manheim-Sterling Undergraduate Research Prize, she transformed those images into the documentary Hands Up. Read more.

Born with spinal muscular atrophy, Alexa Dectis, BA ’15, never let the disorder hold her back. As a child star on Sesame Street, a scholarship-winning communications major and now a law school student in California, she’s amazed friends, family and faculty with her drive and determination. Read more.

Steven Balla realized a lifelong academic and personal dream when he was named a Fulbright Scholar in China. Based at the Nankai University in Tianjin, he will apply his expertise in policy-making strategies, environmental policy and public health to issues that are central to both the U.S. and China. Read more.

We Choose to go to the Moon by Dana Tai Soon Burgess, will premiere at the Kennedy Center on Sept. 19.

Paul B. Duff authored the book Moses in Corinth: The Apologetic Context of 2 Corinthians 3 (Brill, 2015).

Jay Shambaugh joined the White House Council of Economic Advisers, which provides economic analysis and advice to President Barack Obama.

Sarah Shomstein was awarded a $564,472 grant from the National Science Foundation to determine how attentional allocation is structured in the face of uncertainty.

Read more "In the Spotlight"

• Researchers Link Throat Microbes to Schizophrenia
• Intern Diary: Chris Evans with White House Digital Media
• GW English Alums on the Move: CJ Powell
• Alumna Dana Bash Promoted to CNN Chief Political Correspondent
• PhD defense: Robert Coyne
• On the Road with Professor Seavey in Maine
• Introducing Jenny McKean Moore Writer-in-Washington: Kseniya Melnik
• Impact Magazine: Hands-on History
• Campus Building Hours

• Alumni Weekend 2015
  Online Registration Deadline: September 10
• Fall 2015 GW Career & Internship Fair
  (Washington, D.C.)
• Breakfast and Business Cards: Healthcare Real Estate
  (Washington, D.C.)
• Call to Action: Alumni Trustee Nominations
  Nomination Deadline: September 20

View full Alumni Events Calendar

• Columbian College Graduate Programs Open House
• Columbian College Graduate Information Sessions
• 2015 D.C. Law School Fair
• Book Party: Sketching for Architecture + Interior Design
• A Celebration of the Work of James A. Miller
• Dean’s Scholars in Shakespeare Annual Lecture:
  Jean Howard
• Chemistry Department Seminar: Dr. Andy Poggio

View full Columbian College Calendar