Steven Knapp does not assume GW's presidency until Aug. 1, but the former John Hopkins administratior is staying out of the limelight until then. He will not address freshmen at the Colonial Inauguration and instead, University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg will give the presidential greeting to freshmen and their families.
"President Trachtenberg is still president and he will continue to fulfill his duties," said Tracy Schario, director of Media Relations. "Dr. Knapp is finishing up his tenure as Provost at Johns Hopkins, and still has a lot of responsibilities there. Even though he is physically close we should not have unrealistic expectations on how involved he will be before starting at GW."
The University President usually addresses students at CI, except for occasions when traveling means he cannot be on campus. In the past, Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert Chernak delivered a speech in Trachtenberg's absence. Last summer, for the first time, students watched a video of clips from Trachtenberg's usual addresses.
"We have been fortunate to have President Trachtenberg take on an active role in CI," said Christine Yip, director of CI.
Yip said Trachtenberg usually addresses students during what is called the "Academic Welcome," addresses parents during the ice cream social and drops in at other CI events as well.
Yip said she did not think it was an issue that freshmen will not meet their new president right away.
"It should not affect freshmen attending CI at all as they will have many opportunities in the fall and the years ahead to learn about, hear from, and meet Dr. Knapp," Yip said.
But some incoming freshmen said they do no understand why an outgoing University president is welcoming them to GW.
"I just assumed that Dr. Knapp was going to be there. I don't really see a big disadvantage in not meeting him but it seems pointless to have (Trachtenberg) to welcome us to the school when he is on his way out," said incoming freshman Sophia Carter.
"President Trachtenberg is still president and he will continue to fulfill his duties," said Tracy Schario, director of Media Relations. "Dr. Knapp is finishing up his tenure as Provost at Johns Hopkins, and still has a lot of responsibilities there. Even though he is physically close we should not have unrealistic expectations on how involved he will be before starting at GW."
The University President usually addresses students at CI, except for occasions when traveling means he cannot be on campus. In the past, Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert Chernak delivered a speech in Trachtenberg's absence. Last summer, for the first time, students watched a video of clips from Trachtenberg's usual addresses.
"We have been fortunate to have President Trachtenberg take on an active role in CI," said Christine Yip, director of CI.
Yip said Trachtenberg usually addresses students during what is called the "Academic Welcome," addresses parents during the ice cream social and drops in at other CI events as well.
Yip said she did not think it was an issue that freshmen will not meet their new president right away.
"It should not affect freshmen attending CI at all as they will have many opportunities in the fall and the years ahead to learn about, hear from, and meet Dr. Knapp," Yip said.
But some incoming freshmen said they do no understand why an outgoing University president is welcoming them to GW.
"I just assumed that Dr. Knapp was going to be there. I don't really see a big disadvantage in not meeting him but it seems pointless to have (Trachtenberg) to welcome us to the school when he is on his way out," said incoming freshman Sophia Carter.
