Welcome Day of Service
First Year and Transfer Students
About
Be a part of the GW tradition! Convocation and Welcome Day of Service (WDoS) connects first-year and transfer students to the worlds of community service and civic engagement at GW and introduces them to neighborhoods and community organizations here in DC and beyond!
We'll share more exciting details as the event gets closer!
2025 Recap
GW hosted its 17th annual Convocation and Welcome Day of Service (WDoS) on August 23rd, 2025. We successfully covered all 8 wards of DC, Maryland, and Virginia, engaging about 2,200 students across 62 different sites. Together, they contributed an impressive 8,800 service hours! This impactful day highlighted GW’s commitment to community engagement and service.
Read more about the 2025 Welcome Day of Service here.
Meet Ruby Leonard, who was one of the site leads for DC Central Kitchen at the George Washington University's Annual Welcome Day of Service in 2025.
Incoming Class
New students in the Class of 2030 are automatically registered for Welcome Day of Service. New students should look out for an email from the WDoS team and their Site Captain with more information about their site assignment closer to the event.
Get Involved!
We invite faculty, staff, and returning GW students to join us in the exciting endeavor of welcoming the Class of 2030 by becoming Logistics Volunteers for Convocation and Welcome Day of Service! Additionally, we welcome returning GW students to apply for the role of Site Leader. Stay tuned for further details as the event date approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will lunch be provided?
Yes, lunch will be provided. It will be a boxed lunch with meat, vegan, and gluten-free options.
- What do I need to bring?
Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants that can get dirty. Bring a reusable water bottle and any personal items needed for a full day event (e.g. weather appropriate gear, personal medication).
- What items are prohibited in the Smith Center for Convocation?
Please note that the following items are prohibited in the Smith Center:
Alcoholic beverages
Aerosols
Ammunition
Amplified sound devices, e.g.: noisemakers, bullhorns, megaphones, speakers
Bags larger than 18" x 6" x 8" (permitted bags are subject to search)
Balloons
Explosives
Firearms
Fireworks
Flags
Glass containers
Laser pointers
Mace/pepper spray
Structures, e.g.: folding tables, chairs, tents, etc.
Signage, e.g.: posters, banners, flyers and any item that could obstruct the view of guests
Supports for signs
Weapons
Any other item determined to be a potential hazard
- Where and when do I go to check-in to the event?
Event check-in starts at 9:30am and is based on your residence hall, you have been assigned to a specific check-in location. Please check your email inbox for an email from wdos
gwu [dot] edu (wdos[at]gwu[dot]edu) to see which check-in location you’ve been assigned to.- How do I know what service project or workshop group I’m in?
You will receive email communications leading up to the event from your service site group leader and the Welcome Day of Service team. These communications will have your service site assignment.
Additionally, when you check-in the morning of the event, you will get a personalized nametag with your group assignment details on it.
- Who do I talk to about special accommodations?
Email gwserves
gwu [dot] edu (gwserves[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you will need any accommodations to participate in this event.
Questions?
wdosgwu [dot] edu (wdos[at]gwu[dot]edu)
To stay informed about the upcoming Convocation and Welcome Day of Service events, kindly subscribe to our Nashman Newsletter.
We are grateful to all of our participants, volunteers, partners, GW community members, and our supporters, 911day.org, AmeriCorps, Youth Service America, and Transform Mid-Atlantic for joining us on our journey of service this year!
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