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After planning for more than a year, the University hosted about 23,000 students, family, faculty and administrators in front of the White House. Of the 6,700 graduates eligible to attend the ceremony, officials said 5,000 actually came to Sunday's festivities.
"It was terrific," said University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, who sported a blue GW cap during Commencement, after the two hour-long ceremony. "We were blessed with good weather, the speakers were humorous and professional and the students had a good time."
Four honored guests spoke at the ceremony, including keynote speaker and CBS "60 Minutes" correspondent Andy Rooney, whose granddaughter Alexis Perkins received her bachelor's degree Sunday. He mixed grandfatherly advice with pessimism and witty satire.
"How could I be anything but happy to be here," Rooney said. "I get to talk to young people, and they don't get to talk back."
The experienced reporter and columnist also gave advice to graduates during their final moments as students, saying, "If you're smart, you should be nervous about going into the world."
"If you're not nervous, you're not smart," he added.
Trachtenberg also honored Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Mildred Dresselhaus, Miami Herald publisher Alberto Ibarguen and former top Army doctor Phillip Russell with honorary degrees.
"As we go forward into the 21st century, the world will need your leadership to face the problems of an increasingly globalized society and all the perils out there," said Russell, who encouraged graduates to pursue careers in public service.
After Commencement, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) addressed about 400 graduates from GW's Law School at the Smith Center, encouraging future lawyers to abide by strict legal standards.
"My advice to you graduates is that each use your education to stand for the rule of law, not of man. My advice is that you play the game hard, but play by the rules," Reid said. "And if the game goes against you, work harder, train harder and play again."
