Welcome Day of Service

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!

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GW's 18th Annual Convocation & Welcome Day of Service (WDoS) is on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026!

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.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD YOUR WDoS TICKET
 

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!

Sign up to Volunteer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will lunch be provided?

Yes, lunch will be provided. It will be a boxed lunch with meat, vegan, nut-free, 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). Please do not bring a bag with you to the Smith Center. 

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 of any size, unless needed for medical equipment

• 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?

Please make sure to claim your ticket for smooth entry into the Smith Center. Check-in at the Smith Center begins at 9:45am. Please check your email inbox for an email from wdosgwu [dot] edu (wdos[at]gwu[dot]edu) for details on claiming your ticket. 

How do I know what service project or workshop group I’m in?

Your ticket will have your service project assignment along with your assigned seating section in the Charles E. Smith Center so you can find your group.

You will also receive email communications leading up to the event from your service site group leader and the Welcome Day of Service team with this information.

Who do I talk to about special accommodations?

Email gwservesgwu [dot] edu (gwserves[at]gwu[dot]edu) if you will need any accommodations to participate in this event.

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.

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.
 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR 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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