georgetown on campus tour

Public Transportation

The Capitol Campus is easily accessible by Metro , the subway system of the Washington, DC area. We are a short walk from both the Union Station and Judiciary Square stops on the Red Line.

The DC Circulator Bus has stops on the Capitol Campus on Massachusetts Avenue.

Driving Directions

From Northeast of Washington, DC (New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore) : Follow I-95 South. At the I-495 Junction, follow the signs toward 95 South to Richmond. **Take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway/ I-295 exit (west). Take the Baltimore Washington Parkway to US 50 (New York Avenue). Follow 50 heading west into Washington, DC. Make a left onto North Capitol Street, then make a right onto Massachusetts Avenue. Before the next light, make a left on New Jersey Avenue, and immediately bear right on First Street. Capitol Campus buildings will be on your right.

From South or East of Washington, D.C. (Norfolk, Richmond, Williamsburg) : Follow I-95 North. At the I-495 junction, 95 will turn into 395. Follow 395 North to Washington, DC. Cross the 14th St. bridge and keep to the right. Continue following signs for 395 North and take the D Street/US Senate exit. Continue following the signs for 395 North and continue into the D street tunnel (stay in the far right lane). In the tunnel, take the D Street exit and make a right at the first traffic light. Turn left onto New Jersey Avenue, and the Capitol Campus will be on your left hand side.

From South or West of Washington, D.C. (Charlottesville or Nashville) : Take I-66 East to Washington. Cross the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and follow signs for Constitution Avenue. Take Constitution Avenue until it ends. Make a left onto Louisiana Avenue, and then make a left onto New Jersey Avenue. The Capitol Campus will be on your left.

From Northwest of Washington (western Pennsylvania, western Maryland) : Follow I-270 south. Where 270 divides, follow the signs to 495 east toward Silver Spring. Take the Baltimore Washington Parkway to US 50 (New York Avenue). Follow 50 heading west into Washington, DC. Make a left onto North Capitol Street, then make a right onto Massachusetts Avenue. Before the next light, make a left on New Jersey Avenue, and immediately bear right on First Street. The Capitol Campus will be on your right.

Parking : There are several garages near the Capitol Campus, including 99 H Street NW. There is also limited metered parking available around the Capitol Campus.

Amtrak, Metro, MARC and VRE trains are available at Union Station, which is two blocks east of the Capitol Campus.

Washington Reagan National Airport is the closest and most convenient airport, as it is only six miles from the Capitol Campus. Transportation to the Capitol Campus from National Airport is available by taxi or metro.

By taxi, travel time to the Capitol Campus is about 15 minutes. Be sure to tell the driver that you are going to Georgetown’s Capitol Campus near Union Station (example drop off locations: 600 NJ Ave. or 500 First St.), NOT the campus located in the neighborhood of Georgetown.

By metro, allow approximately 30 minutes. The Metro station is located across the street from the main terminal at National Airport. Take the Yellow Line to Gallery Place. When you arrive at Gallery Place, transfer to the Red Line (in the direction of Glenmont) and get off at Union Station and walk two blocks east.

Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI)  and  Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) are approximately 30 miles from the Capitol Campus.

From BWI you can either take a taxi or use the shuttle bus from the airport to the MARC train station to ride to Union Station. For more information, please visit the BWI website .

IAD has a metro stop on the Silver Line, and you can transfer to the Red Line at Metro Center and get off at Judiciary Square, just a five minute walk from the Capitol Campus.

Group Visits

Group visits are only available to High Schools, Community Based Organizations, and Educational Non-Profits working with current high school students.  If your group does not fall under one of these categories, your students may register individually for a  Virtual and In-Person Visit .  

Group visits are available Monday through Friday at 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM. We do not offer visits on the weekend or on  University/Federal Holidays .

Group visit requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make your request at least three weeks prior to your requested date, but note that we are unable to process requests made more than three months in advance. You should expect to hear back from us within 5 business days of submitting your request.

If you are submitting a group visit request on behalf of a high school or organization with which you are not directly affiliated, we will require contact information (including an email address) for at least one group leader who is directly affiliated with the group.  We will be unable to confirm a group visit request without this information.

Groups of fewer than 15 students should individually sign up for our information session on our  Virtual and In-Person Visit page .

The maximum number of people per group may not exceed 50. 

• All group visits must include the supervision of an adult chaperone/teacher at all times. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner and not demonstrate disruptive behavior during the presentation.

If you have any questions, please call our office at (202) 687-3600 or email  [email protected] .

Georgetown in Your Area

U.S. Visits

International Visits

Representatives from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions visit over 130 U.S. cities in all 50 states each spring and fall, and also travel abroad to meet potential students in as many as 30 countries around the world. Most presentations that are conducted are in the form of local information sessions for students and their parents that explain student life, educational experiences, financial aid and to answer any questions that prospective students might have about attending Georgetown University.

Most of our information sessions are co-conducted with the Exploring College Options Group consisting of Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn and Stanford. We encourage you to attend one of these events to gain a greater knowledge of the offerings of the University.

Virtual Information Sessions

Register for a virtual information session led by an admissions representative or a current MSFS student. We will also host special virtual programming, such as student and alumni panels. These are great opportunities to ask questions about the student experience and better understand the program.

In-Person Information Sessions & Campus Tour

We will be offering three in-person information sessions and campus tours, led by current MSFS students, on October 2, November 6, and December 6. For specific timings and more information, visit this page . Space is limited.

Concentration Faculty Overviews

Our Faculty Chairs will be giving an overview of their concentrations via Zoom in late-October and early-November. Register for one (or more!) of our sessions that will detail the curriculum and student outcomes for: Global Politics and Security (GPS); International Development (IDEV); Global Business, Finance, and Society (GBFS); and Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA).

November 22 and 29, 2:00-4:30 p.m. EST

MSFS 742 – Strategy, Finance & Valuation by Professor David Wallis

The course is split into 4 sections: (1) Strategy – an introduction to strategy with case led application; (2) Finance – a case led refresher of key financial tools and metrics including financial modelling; (3) Valuation – an introduction to valuation; (4) Case led integration of the above using a mix of theory, news events, blogs and research reports. The course will draw upon current events to illustrate and analyze key principles.

November 16, 5:00-7:30 p.m. EST

STIA 419- Energy and Environment in Eurasia by Professor Theresa Sabonis-Helf

This course will focus on the role played by energy and environment in the evolution of the successor states to the Soviet Union. The energy portion of the course will examine the challenges faced by energy-poor states in their transitions, as well as the very different challenges faced by oil and gas-rich successor states. The environment portion of the course will examine the Soviet legacy of persistent pollutants and “national sacrifice zones” and how the states have attempted to address them, as well as the transboundary pollution problems. The course will also review the role played by the successor states and the international community in attempting to improve the environment in this region, the emerging challenges posed to the region by climate change, and the resource management challenges (particularly in water) faced by these states.

November 11 and 18, 2:00-4:30 p.m. EST

GOVT 560 – Corruption vs Good Governance by Professor Jodi Vittori

This class examines what governments are expected to provide their citizens today so we can better understand where corruption leads to perceived governance failures. It explores how different so-called syndromes of corruption manifest themselves in different types of states, as well as comparing and contrasting four leading theories of governance and corruption.

November 11, 18, and December 2, 3:30-6 p.m. EST

GHD 636 – Climate Change and Development by Professor Shantayanan Devarajan

This course will cover: (1) Climate change and its impacts: what we know, what we don’t know; (2) Adapting to climate change (assuming carbon emissions continue with the baseline scenario); (3) Mitigating climate change: What developing countries can do.  

1:1 Calls with MSFS Admission Assistants

Our Admission Assistants and current MSFS students, Erin and Hershel, are offering 20-minute “office hours” throughout the semester. Schedule a 1:1 virtual call to check in about program requirements and ask about their MSFS student experiences, thus far!

Class Visits

Class visits are available on a limited, first-come first-serve basis throughout the fall semester with at least two weeks notice. In order to shadow a MSFS class, we ask prospective students to attend an in-person or virtual information session, campus tour, consent with the University’s COVID Guidelines for visitors, and meet with either the Director or Associate Director of Admissions. Please email [email protected] to request to shadow a class.

Personal interviews are not offered, except for BSFS/MSFS and BSBA/MSFS candidates, for whom an interview is required.

Special Notice

Due to the evolving public health situation during the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person campus visits are offered on an appointment-only basis, and Zoom meetings are preferred for prospective students. Masks are optional when inside of campus buildings. To connect with MSFS Admissions, email [email protected]. Available 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET Monday–Friday.

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Reserve Your Spot with Confidence! Full Refunds with 24 Hrs Notice. Reschedule at any point, even after tour, if space allows!

Self-Guided Tour of Georgetown University

This post is a self-guided tour of Georgetown University. This is a fun way to experience Georgetown at your own leisure, although the walk is short and the whole tour is under one hour.

Our Historic Georgetown walking tour focuses on the neighborhood, ending here at Georgetown University campus. Use this as a complement to wander the historic campus after the tour!

• Things to Do in Georgetown
• Other Self-Guided Tours in Georgetown
• GPS Enabled Audio Tours

You can also take this as an Audio Tour!

Here is how it works:

• Book an Audio Tour on our Booking Page
• Receive a confirmation email with a .mp3, .pdf, and embeddable Google Map
• Enjoy the tour(s)!

Enjoy your self guided tour? Make a donation to help support the guides. You can Venmo @canden-ftbf or Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dcbyfoot

Stop a: "healy gates".

As you enter the "Healy Gates" at 37th and O St NW, the main entrance to campus, you'll see the Georgetown University seal on the gate pillars. The seal was a gift to the university by Justane Douat. She was a nurse on campus and financed the design of the seal in 1798.

The seal depicts an eagle holding a cross to represent the Jesuit tradition of the university and a globe to represent the sciences. In its mouth, the eagle holds a scroll that says "Utraque Unum" or "from both, one."

This is thought to refer to the combination of religion and education but also later to reunify the campus after the American Civil War .

Above the eagle is a lyre to represent the humanities. Surrounding the lyre are 16 stars, one for each of the States at the time, and the Latin phrase "Adripas Potomaci in Marylandia - Collegium Georgipolitanum".

This translates to "Georgetown College on the banks of the Potomac in Maryland". This is because when Georgetown was founded, there was no District of Columbia and was instead part of the State of Maryland.

During the Civil War, Union soldiers who were stationed on campus used the gatehouses you see on either side; after the First Battle of Bull Run, injured soldiers were treated wherever there was room, including at these gatehouses.

STOP B: Poulton Hall

Before you head into the quad, visit Poulton Hall further up 37th St NW. The original plan for the quad which you'll see later included Poulton Hall, but budget restrictions kept the original plan from being built.

After WWII , there were surplus building materials available and this building was completed in 1947, though outside the campus walls. It is named after Ferdinand Poulton, a founding member of the Society of Jesuits in America.

Inside is the Mask and Bauble Society. This dramatic arts group was founded in 1852 and is the oldest continuously running collegiate theatre troupe. Former members include John Barrymore and Bradley Cooper.

STOP C: History of Georgetown University

Archbishop John Carroll founded Georgetown University in 1789. Carroll was a member of a prominent family: his cousin Charles Carrol signed the Declaration of Independence and his brother Daniel Carrol helped to draft the Articles of Confederation.

They were also some of the large landowners in what later became Washington, DC.

As a young boy, John Carroll studied at a Jesuit school, Bohemian Manor in Maryland, but there was no Jesuit university in America. He continued his studied in Europe and was part of the movement to create more of a Jesuit presence in the United States.

He was named the first archbishop in America as the Archbishop of Baltimore and was given the task to create this school.

He was given a choice in where to locate the campus, either Jenkins Hill or here on Georgetown Heights. He said Jenkins Hill was too far out in the country, which is ironic because what was Jenkins Hill is today called Capitol Hill , the literal center of the city.

Georgetown is the oldest Catholic university in America. At the time of its founding, other universities had a more Anglican focus and it is said that Catholics were not welcome.

The founding of the university began quietly as there was still persecution of the Jesuits, but Congress awarded the university a charter in 1815.

Today, Georgetown University has over 19,000 students enrolled. Tuition to the college is around $75,000 per year with room and board. It has a mere 15% acceptance rate.

STOP D: White-Gravenor Hall

White-Gravenor Hall is named after two Jesuit priests, Andrew White and John Gravenor, who landed in Maryland in 1634 to establish a colony to educate the natives. Above the door of this 1932 building is carved the date 1634, which led the way for a Catholic university, and 1789, the actual founding of Georgetown.

Directly above the door are the five shields symbolizing academies founded by the Jesuits in Maryland, including Georgetown Heights - the academy founded by John Carroll here.

Often called a "sermon in stone" for the vast amount of religious symbolism, there are 14 symbols of academic fields accompanied by the name of Jesuit priest prominent in that study. Francisco Suarez and the lamp of learning, for example, represent philosophy.

STOP E: St. Ignatius of Loyola Statue

At the entrance of the building is a bronze statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola called "The Pilgrim." St. Ignatius is the founder of the Jesuits in 1540 in Manresa, Spain. He was a soldier who recovered from injury in a monastery and was inspired to create an order of teaching and missionaries.

STOP F: Jesuit Community Cemetery

In the middle of campus you'll find the resting place of over 350 priests. Sixteen of these are former presidents, including Patrick Healy, for whom the flagship building of campus is named .

The cemetery was founded in 1808 with the burial of Thomas Kelly, S.J. close to what is now the southern end of Healy Hall. However, in 1854 Kelly and 46 other graves were moved to this lo cation due to construction on campus, namely a dormitory that didn't want a graveyard next door. The cemetery is exclusive to Jesuits.

On many of these headstones, you'll see IHS. This is the romanization of the first three letters of Jesus' name in Greek.

STOP G: Copley Crypt

This is the Copley Crypt, where Jesuit fathers would lie for wake before being buried in the Jesuit Cemetery behind you. The chapel was built in 1932 and is dedicated to Jesuit missionaries who were martyred in the mid 17th century in what is modern-day Ontario.

The crypt is beneath St. William Chapel in Copley residence hall, the 1932 building you're now standing behind. The Chapel was built in the dorm to help students meet their mass requirements.

In the early years of the school, daily mass attendance was required of all students to graduate regardless of their personal faith.

Today it is used for many orthodox Christian services, apparent by the Icons of Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox worship. The stained glass windows depict each of the eight martyred Jesuits for whom the crypt is dedicated. It is open to the public.

STOP H: Stone Carver's Work

As you make your way around the back of Dahlgren Chapel, pause to find a small gargoyle carved along the gutter. Legend says a stone carver was making his way through the area and volunteered his services to show his skill.

Though the artwork is superb, he must not have been commissioned for more carving since this is his only piece.

STOP I: Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart

Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart has been the main chapel of the university since 1893. It was funded by a donation from outside the university, a gift from John and Elizabeth Dahlgren in memory of their infant son.

The iron cross hanging in the chapel is said to be parts of the Ark and the Dove sailing vessels, which brought the first Jesuit priest to Maryland.

It is often the site of baptisms, weddings, and mass but it is open to the public.

STOP J: Old North

Old North is the oldest remaining structure on campus. This quadrangle was the original land grant given to Archbishop John Carroll. Across the quad was the location of Old South (now New South). This building was constructed in 1794 as dorms but now is the School of Business.

In 1797 George Washington come to visit two of his nephews attending the university. He stood on the porch where you are standing to address the student body.

Since then, many presidents who visit Georgetown choose this spot for speeches. They are listed on a plaque to the right of the door. (There is a gap in visiting presidents from 1868-1983, the reason unknown).

To the left of the door, a small plaque details the story of the Georgetown University colors. As the Civil War loomed, Georgetown was mostly students from wealthy Southern farmers but the faculty was mostly from the North.

These boys and men would leave school to fight for both the Union and Confederacy. From 1859 to1861 the student body population decreased from 313 to 17. 80% of the students fought for the South.

When the students and faculty returned, the Georgetown University rowing club adopted grey for the Confederacy and blue for the Union. These two colors have remained the official colors since.

STOP K: Healy Hall

Healy Hall is the most iconic structure on campus. It was completed in 1879 and named for President Patrick Healy. Healy is thought of as the second founder. After the loss of student body during the Civil War, Healy is credited with a revival in bringing students back to Georgetown.

He was born legally enslaved like his mother, but was raised by both his mother and his white father in a very loving household. Despite his mixed race, he earned a Ph.D., though he had to go to Europe to do so, and became the president of a predominately white university - the first man of African descent to do so - and all in 1873.

The building is home to Riggs Library, one of the few remaining cast-iron libraries. It houses over 35,000 volumes but is no longer a working student or public library.

Gaston Hall is the jewel of the building but was not completed until 1909 due to the unexpected expenses of building the rest of Healy Hall. The 750-seat auditorium is named after William Gaston, the university's first student at the age of 13 and also it's first drop-out.

Healy Hall was both classrooms and dorms; it even had a ratskeller in the basement where beers were .43c! Today it is classrooms and offices. You'll also find public restrooms in this final stop.

STOP L: Be Careful!

As you exit the building - be careful! On the stoop outside the door, you will see the Georgetown University seal. Don't step on it - it's cursed! Legend says that if you step on it and you're applying, you won't get in. If you go here, you won't graduate.

This story has been around for so many decades there is a large crack down the center of the seal from the weight of thousands of footsteps walking down either side.

Much of the tour route and information is based on a tour from Deirdre Manger, Georgetown alum and Washington DC Tour Guide

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About The Author

Canden Arciniega

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College of Arts & Sciences

Campus Visit

Would you like to see more? Join us for an campus visit.  Sit in on a class, meet with current students and talk to program staff and faculty.  See what the Department of Government has to offer and see why our students and alumni are so excited about graduate study at Georgetown.

Please sign up here to schedule a campus visit.

Schedule your Campus Visit today!

Community in Diversity: Yvette Jiang (MBA’24)

Maria Camila Gutierrez

April 29, 2024

A journey that began as a student in Georgetown’s Conflict Resolution Program led Yvette Jiang (MBA’24) to a long-standing connection with the university. As an active student and employee on the Hilltop, Jiang leads with a vision to empower and engage staff and faculty through diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Jiang is one of the representatives of the  Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (AAAPI ERG)  at Georgetown. Her goal is to foster an inclusive, fair, and just campus community where employees can strengthen their leadership skills and advocacy efforts at their place of work.

“I believe [AAAPI] is groundbreaking in a sense that we’re the first ERG on Georgetown’s campus,” said Jiang. “I enjoy having conversations that are curated in a purposeful way. I like the personal touch I have with the staff members and the opportunity to learn from their stories.” Jiang, alongside other representatives, have coordinated different events for staff and faculty, including book clubs, social events, retreats, and tours.  

Jiang envisions incorporating professional development programming for members of the  group, such as introducing mentoring programs. She also aspires to foster connections with other ERGs on campus to create a more inclusive environment. 

According to Jiang, a DEI grant was key in advancing the ERG’s initiatives. Through the support of the William Graham DEI and Military Support Fund, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Grant provides funding to explore innovative projects and initiatives that have a positive impact on Georgetown’s diverse community, both within and beyond McDonough.

Jiang highlights the importance of having ERGs on campus and emphasizes their role in making employees feel included and represented. Fostering a  Community in Diversity  is something that Jiang takes seriously.

“Having ERGs on campus retains employees and makes them feel a sense of belonging. I hope that members of the ERG can bring diversity, equity, and inclusion in this environment to our future endeavors,” said Jiang.  

Outside of her Georgetown involvement, Jiang’s commitment to creating inclusive communities extends to local government in Alexandria, Virginia. She serves on the Alexandria Commission for Women, where she encourages equal opportunities for women in all aspects of their lives. In this role, she has addressed issues such as affordable housing, transportation, domestic violence, and reproductive rights. 

Jiang hopes to continue creating more initiatives that empower others and amplify the voices of people from various backgrounds. 

“I really just want to serve the community through meaningful engagement. I cherish the connection with each member. When I learn from others’ stories, I believe I learn more about myself,” said Jiang. 

This story is part of the Embracing Our Jesuit Values series.  Read the original story .

Title: Georgetown Day 2024

Dear Students,

We look forward to marking Georgetown Day 2024 this Friday, April 26, and celebrating our community in a way that everyone can enjoy and be proud of.

We offer our thanks to the Georgetown Program Board (GPB), which will be sharing its final schedule of events by email tomorrow.

Please review the following key policies and reminders to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the Georgetown community and our neighbors:

Key Policies & Reminders

• April 26 is a Class Day: Faculty expect full participation in scheduled classes. If you are enrolled in a class scheduled to meet, you should attend class, unless your professor has made other arrangements. Assignments, exams, labs, presentations, participation and other required assessments are not excused without explicit approval from the instructor of record.
• Treating Staff and Others with Respect: Students must treat all community members with respect, courtesy and dignity. Additionally, students approached by staff or other university employees must follow their directives. Students who do not adhere to these requirements may be referred through the conduct process.
• Limited Residence Hall Access: From Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27, GOCard access to all residence halls will be limited to residents to ensure the safety of our community.
• Limited Access to Village A Rooftops and Alumni Square: To ensure fire safety at all times, there will be designated security staff monitoring entry and exit points to Village A, the rooftop and Alumni Square, and capacity limitations, coordinated by GUPD and Residential Living.
• Village A Wristbands: Village A will only be accessible to Village A residents (and their guests). There will be required wristbands for residents and guests on Georgetown Day. Residents will be contacted directly by their community director about acquiring wristbands.
• Tents: No tents allowed on Village A rooftops or in Alumni Square.
• Excessive Noise and Contracted DJs Are Prohibited: We are aware of students contracting DJs and renting amplified-noise equipment. Avoid disciplinary action or any lost fees by canceling those reservations now. Off-campus noise violations are automatically considered “Disorderly Conduct.” Students who are found responsible for violating the Code of Student Conduct will be subject to disciplinary sanctions .
• No Glass Bottles: Please do not purchase any beverages in glass bottles, as they can be dangerous when discarded or broken. Glass bottles may be confiscated.
• You Are Responsible for the Actions of Your Guests; Guest Restrictions in Residences: If an individual at your residence or property causes harm to another person or property, or otherwise violates the Code of Student Conduct, you may be held responsible, whether or not you invited the guest. Access will be restricted to residents from April 25 at 10 p.m. to April 26 at 10 p.m.; no guests will be permitted in residences during this time.
• Kegs: Kegs are not recommended, but they are permitted only in university-owned townhouses and apartments (Alumni Square, Henle Village, Nevils and Village A) where at least one resident is of legal drinking age. Kegs are prohibited in all other University-owned housing, and any unauthorized kegs will be confiscated and not returned. Kegs are not permitted on Village A rooftops.
• Open containers of alcohol are prohibited in public spaces on and off campus, per DC law and University policy : This includes large containers of alcohol referred to as ‘BORGS.’ If you are in possession of a container of alcohol you will be asked to dispose of the container by a University official. Non-compliance with a university official’s directives may be referred through the conduct process.

Robert M. Groves, Ph.D.

Eleanor JB Daugherty, Ed.D.

Vice President for Student Affairs

Georgetown Law

Georgetown law’s supreme court institute celebrates 25 years.

April 30, 2024

Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr. shared memories at the Georgetown Law Supreme Court Institute’s 25th Anniversary celebration.

It began as a pie-in-the-sky idea from a faculty member, and a quarter-century later has become an invaluable resource for lawyers preparing for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court – and a precious educational opportunity for Georgetown Law students.

On April 24, Georgetown Law marked the 25th anniversary of its Supreme Court Institute (SCI), a unique organization that holds moot courts – opportunities for advocates who’ll soon appear at the Supreme Court to pressure-test their arguments before a panel of law professors and experienced Supreme Court Bar members – in advance of nearly every case on the Court’s docket. Three Supreme Court justices, Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr., Associate Justice Elena Kagan and Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh; the current Solicitor General, Elizabeth Prelogar, along with seven of her predecessors; and most of the past and present leadership of the SCI were there to celebrate.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice congratulated the Law Center on the milestone and reminisced about his own experiences with the SCI. Not only was he one of the first advocates to moot an argument with the Institute – in 1999’s Rice v. Cayetano – he also served as a guest Justice many times before becoming a real one. “I have been with you from the start. You had me at hello,” the Chief Justice said.

He reflected as well on the important role advocates play in our legal system. “Subjecting an issue to the crucible of fair and hard-fought argument can be the best and fairest way to get to the correct result, but only if there has been careful preparation on both sides. For a quarter of a century, the Institute has brought together the very best of the Appellate Bar to prepare lawyers for appearances before our court,” said the Chief Justice. “This has been a gift not only to the lawyers but also to the justices, for which we are grateful.”

This video on the founding and evolution of the Supreme Court Institute was shown at the 25th anniversary celebration:

In a video commemorating the anniversary, Harvard Law Professor Richard Lazarus recalled how he proposed his idea for the SCI when he was on the Georgetown Law faculty and was assigned to serve on a long-range planning committee. His ambitious idea to form an institute that could host Supreme Court moots came true thanks to an “only-at-Georgetown” combination of factors that include a faculty well stocked with appellate advocates, Constitutional law experts and former Supreme Court clerks; physical proximity to the Supreme Court; and support from leadership, including Dean Emerita Judith Areen , who green-lit the concept in 1998, and current Dean William M. Treanor , who spoke proudly of the educational opportunities the SCI provides law students.

“Students… gain a close-up view of the most pressing issues in law today, witnessing firsthand what it takes to prepare for argument before the justices – and that’s experience they can get nowhere else,” said Treanor.

Current and former leaders of the Supreme Court Institute with Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kavanaugh in the SCI’s Moot Courtroom, modeled after the real Supreme Court. Front, L-R: Justice Kavanaugh, SCI Faculty Director Professor Steven Goldblatt, L’70, Chief Justice Roberts, Dean Treanor, SCI Executive Director Professor Irv Gornstein. Back, L-R: Former SCI Assistant Director Kal Golde, current SCI Assistant Director Maddie Sloat, L’27, former SCI Assistant Director Sarah Naiman, L’21, current SCI Director Debbie Shrager, SCI founder Richard Lazarus.

Indeed, the audience of law professors, Supreme Court Bar members and legal journalists also included some eighty current law students who are in classes, seminars and clinics that have worked SCI moots in their curricula. (Additional students took a break from studying in the John Wolff International and Comparative Law Reading Room to peer down through a glass wall into the atrium where the event was taking place.) Whether or not assigned to by their professors, all Georgetown Law students are welcome to attend any SCI moot court, as long as they have no ties to the lawyers or entities in the case being argued.

As Professor from Practice and current SCI Executive Director Irv Gornstein – who has by far the most SCI moots under his belt, having taken part in 332 as of last month – put it in the anniversary video, “When you can get the best advocates in our day talking to students about what they were thinking about, I don’t know how you could get a better education than that.”

Former Solicitor General and current Distinguished Lecturer and SCI Senior Fellow Paul Clement marveled at the generosity of Supreme Court Bar members who volunteer to serve on SCI panels for colleagues and potential adversaries alike. “It is all done in the service of ensuring that the Supreme Court gets the best possible adversarial presentation of the issues. That is all in the best traditions of the bar, but I dare say it seems a bit more counter-cultural in 2024 than it did when this project started in 1999 – and that makes the Institute and the Supreme Court bar well worth celebrating,” he said.

Longtime SCI Faculty Director Professor Steven Goldblatt , L’70 – the runner-up to Gornstein in SCI moot participation, having himself served on 240 panels – summed up the collective warm feeling in the room among all the past and current SCI staffers, Georgetown Law professors and Supreme Court Bar members who’d played large and small roles in the Institute’s work over the years.

“This is a celebration of all the people who have participated in this, and there’s a certain love that we all have for helping,” said Goldblatt. “When you do the moot and you improve somebody’s argument, it’s a feel-good feeling and you stay with it. It just doesn’t go away.”

Eight current and former Solicitors General were on hand to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court Institute. Front, L-R: Professor Neal Katyal, Associate Justice Elena Kagan, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, Dean William Treanor. Back, L-R: Noel Francisco, Jeffrey Wall, Distinguished Lecturer Paul D. Clement, Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., Seth Waxman.

Celine Calpo (C’19) Named 2024 Soros Fellow

April 29, 2024

Celine Calpo (C’19) was recently named a 2024 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow. She plans to use the award, totaling some $90,000, to pursue a law degree. 

The fellowship, a merit-based award for immigrants and children of immigrants, has opened up pathways to graduate education for more than 800 students since 1998. This year’s class was incredibly selective, with just 30 fellows chosen from a pool of more than 2,300 applicants. 

“I feel extremely lucky to have won this prestigious fellowship. I owe a lot to my friend, Amanda Scott-Daigle (C’19), for suggesting I apply for it while we were undergraduates, and of course to my family, who nurtured my intellectual curiosity, sacrificed a lot to ensure I would go to college and taught me the importance of who and where I come from.” 

Calpo, who currently works as a program specialist at The Federal Judicial Center – the research and education agency of the U.S. federal courts – is excited to continue pursuing questions of judicial policy and education. In her role, she helps facilitate international judicial exchanges between U.S. judges and their foreign counterparts. She has also served as junior faculty in rule-of-law programs abroad, teaching judges computer skills. 

Her interest in judicial administration and education was an avenue of interest she started down while an undergraduate on the Hilltop.

Finding a Path on the Hilltop

Calpo’s fascination with the federal court system began when she arrived in Washington, DC as a first-year student. 

“I came to Georgetown not really knowing what I wanted to do,” said Calpo. “During move-in week, I took a private tour of the Supreme Court and immediately fell in love with the library. I enrolled in classes on constitutional law because I thought I might become a law librarian.”

Calpo receiving a gift from the Chief Justice of India, the Honorable D.Y. Chandrachud, for her assistance in several U.S.-India judicial education workshops.

Calpo, who has ample archival and library experience, found herself drawn to repositories of knowledge. On campus, she worked for three years at Lauinger Library. Off campus, Calpo completed internships with the Library of Congress, The San Diego Museum of Art and the Brookings Institution, where she worked in their archives. 

As an American studies major, Calpo was able to pull from a wide range of sources, like any good archivist.

“Finding the American studies community was an incredibly important part of my Georgetown experience,” said Calpo. “If it weren’t for the interdisciplinary aspects of the American Studies program, I would have never been able to take Constitutional Law with Joseph Hartman , study judiciaries around the world with Diana Kapiszewski and learn about technologies of power with Erika Seamon . All these classes led me to the field I am working in right now, and have prepared me to succeed in law school.”

“Celine is a force of nature. Her curiosity is insatiable. She has a tremendous work ethic,” said Erika Seamon, a teaching professor in the American Studies Program. “And, at every turn, she is considering the perspectives of people who may not be holding the microphone.”

To fulfill the requirements of her major, Calpo completed a substantial thesis project during her senior year, which focused on the appearance and articulation of ethics on the Supreme Court. 

“I had this question in the back of my head: Why are there no cameras allowed in the courtroom?” Calpo explained. “I ended up interning for the Supreme Court of the United States and working under the photographer of the Supreme Court. I learned a lot about how the judiciary emphasizes appearance, particularly in the judiciary’s codes of conduct, which caution against the appearance of impropriety.”

In 2018, Calpo gave a tour of the Supreme Court of the United States to members of the American Studies community.

Calpo explored what she calls the “judicial lifetime” of the three Associate Justices appointed by President Ronald Reagan, tracking their media coverage from the moment they were nominated through their departure from the bench. 

“My thesis explores how the media shapes our perception of federal judges by pushing particular narratives and accentuating certain aspects of their personality or career. At the same time, the pressure of being observed influences judicial behavior in public, like during confirmation hearings, where nominees dance around hypothetical questions. It creates a situation where we take legal norms and standards of judicial ethics for granted, until concrete evidence proves that our systems of regulation are not enough.”

“Celine has unique and important expertise on culture of the Supreme Court that she will bring to a top law program,” said Seamon. “She appreciates that the power of the Court not only comes from the opinions, but also from the traditions that animate what happens inside.”

The Hilltop: A Home Away From Home

On the Hilltop, Calpo was able to find a supportive community of faculty and peers that welcomed her to campus and made her feel like a valued part of a larger whole.

My personal experience was reflected in that book. It was in that class, through that book and Professor Hochman’s choice to teach that book that I felt like I belonged at an elite university such as Georgetown – that my people and my culture were valued. Celine Calpo (C’19)

The first community to welcome her was the Georgetown Scholars Program (GSP) , which set her up with a mentor, Angelica Garcia (C’21), and provided her continuous support throughout her time on the Hilltop. The guidance provided by GSP and Georgetown’s financial aid package allowed Calpo to focus more on curating her classes to fit her intellectual and personal interests instead of figuring out how to pay for her education.

“Georgetown actually helped me grow more confident in my Filipino-American identity,” said Calpo. “In my high school in California, Filipino language was offered as a course and we had a Filipino culture club, because a good portion of the student body was Filipino. When I arrived at Georgetown, I was skeptical about whether I’d be able to find Filipino representation to the same extent.”

However, she recalls one class in particular that put those worries to rest – a survey course of American literature taught by Brian Hochman . The course, which Calpo took to complete her core humanities requirement, explored the scope of America’s literary and cultural history from 1900 to the present day.

“Professor Hochman had us read Carlos Bulosan’s America Is in the Heart ,” remembered Calpo. “That was my first exposure to a Filipino-American work being part of the American canon. That experience helped me begin to get over things like imposter syndrome, which I experienced as a first-generation, low-income student.”

“My personal experience was reflected in that book. It was in that class, through that book and Professor Hochman’s choice to teach that book that I felt like I belonged at an elite university such as Georgetown – that my people and my culture were valued.” 

Hochman, the Hubert J. Cloke Director of American Studies, fondly remembers the course and Calpo’s invaluable contributions to class discussions. 

“I not only remember reading Bulosan with Celine back in the spring of 2016, I remember a specific passage from the opening chapters of America Is in the Heart that she brought to the attention of the class. It stopped all of us in our tracks,” said Hochman. “When you teach, your deepest, most abiding hope is that you can learn as much from your students as they learn from you. With Celine that was the case. I haven’t taught that book the same way since.”

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Columbia faces protest deadline; USC cancels main graduation ceremony: Updates

Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on the college campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war for Thursday, April 25. For the latest news on the protests view our live updates file for Friday, April 26 .

NEW YORK − Protesters at Columbia University, an epicenter of growing student dissent against the war in Gaza , faced a deadline Thursday to dismantle their encampment as protests and arrests intensified across the nation.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik warned students that if the tents aren't moved by Friday, "we will have to consider options for restoring calm to campus."

In an update late Thursday, the university said talks between student protestors and the school have "shown progress and are continuing." The school, the scene of more than 100 arrests in recent days, also shut down rumors that the New York City Police Department was invited to the campus on Thursday night.

House Speaker Mike Johnson lashed out Thursday at Columbia protesters, who booed him during his visit to the school a day earlier. Johnson had criticized students and faculty who participated in the protest and called for Shafik's resignation.

"Hamas backed these protests at Columbia," Johnson said in a social media post . "The things that have happened at the hands of Hamas are horrific, and yet these protestors are out there waving flags for the very people who committed those crimes. This is not who we are in America."

Demonstrators across the nation are protesting the civilian toll in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people have died since the Israeli invasion that followed a Hamas-led attack that killed almost 1,200 people in Israel. Students oppose U.S. military aid to Israel and want their schools to stop investing endowment money in companies with Israeli links.

Meanwhile, amid the turmoil, the University of Southern California said it was canceling its main commencement ceremony , citing safety concerns.

Columbia says encampments will shrink: Scores of protesters arrested at USC

Developments:

∎ Protesters were shoved with riot shields and handcuffed with zip ties by state police at Indiana University on Thursday after being told by officers to take down tents that had been set up for a Gaza solidarity encampment. Officers detained 33 people after they refused to take down the tents and disperse, according to an Indiana University Police statement released Thursday night.

∎ In Columbus, Ohio, hundreds of Ohio State University students, faculty and members of the local Arab community rallied Thursday and set up tents outside the student union. Shortly before 11 p.m. local time, protestors were starting to leave the area after nearly six hours of chants, prayers and construction of tents. Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network, reporters at the scene witnessed police arresting more than a dozen people.

∎ At UCLA, Students for Justice in Palestine set up an encampment Thursday on Royce Quad. "We are not leaving until our demands are met," the group said in an Instagram post. Also in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California declared its campus closed and asked the L.A. Police Department to clear a demonstration after it arrested 94 people linked to a protest Wednesday.

∎ Two graduate students at Princeton University were arrested for trespassing and tents were taken down Thursday after scores of students attended a rally, the university said. At another Ivy League school, Cornell, students set up a pre-dawn encampment demanding the university divest from companies with links to the war in Gaza and end its relationship with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.

∎ About 70 students from Washington, D.C.-area universities, including Georgetown and the George Washington, formed an encampment of 25 tents on GW’s campus early Thursday morning. They are protesting their schools’ investment of funds in companies doing business with Israel, the Georgetown Voice reported.

∎ In Boston, Emerson College President Jay Bernhardt canceled classes Thursday "as we respond to, and process, the events of last night." Police spokesperson Michael Torigian said 108 arrests were made and four officers injured late Wednesday when police took down an encampment. Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine was encouraging protesters to rally at police precincts across the city. 

From Harvard to UT Austin to USC, college protests over Gaza are spreading. See our map.

Pro-Palestinian advocacy group files federal complaint against Columbia

A pro-Palestinian advocacy group filed a federal civil rights complaint against Columbia University in response to last week's mass arrest of protesters after the university called police to clear encampments, the group said Thursday.

Palestine Legal urged the U.S. Education Department to investigate the university's actions, which the group alleged as "discriminatory treatment of Palestinian students and their allies." The organization said they're representing four students and Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group that the university suspended.

USC calls off main graduation ceremony over safety concerns

Ten days after revoking the valedictorian’s speech , the University of Southern California went a step further Thursday and canceled its main graduation ceremony amid the series of pro-Palestinian protests roiling college campuses, including USC’s own.

As it did when announcing April 15 that biomedical engineering student Asna Tabassum would no longer deliver her address at commencement, the school said security challenges prompted the decision. Tabassum, who is Muslim, had drawn strong backlash the school said had "an alarming tenor" after espousing pro-Palestinian views on social media.

"With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially," USC said in Thursday's announcement. "As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window."

The university said the usual individual-school ceremonies, where students have their names called, walk across the stage and pick up their diplomas, will still be held, along with other graduation events.

Two weeks ahead of the May 8-11 commencement, the university was rocked Wednesday by antiwar demonstrations that led officials to call in the Los Angeles Police Department and close campus. It remained shut Thursday .

Columbia negotiation clock ticks amid more protests

Columbia administrators said Thursday evening they remain in contact with New York City police amid a planned extremist protest just outside campus gates, happening with just hours left in the university’s two-day timeframe for negotiating with organizers of the student encampment.

The university remained committed to removing the encampment, spokesperson Ben Chang said in a press briefing, noting, “We have our demands, they have theirs.” Columbia did not clarify its timeframe for clearing out the tents, but said it remains in "constant contact" with the NYPD.

Ben Chang said in a press briefing that Mayor Eric Adams earlier convened a meeting of university presidents, including Shafik, about the ongoing campus demonstrations. A campus alert encouraged people to avoid streets just outside of the grounds, where far-right Christian activists planned to gather to support Israel while pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators rallied in front of a heavy police presence.

Students have said the negotiating period was stopped as a result of what they described as threats from the university to send in the National Guard and NYPD. Negotiations resumed as of 10 a.m. Thursday, said organizer Sueda Polat, a graduate student.“We believe we are making progress, and the rest is yet to be seen,” she said. Polat declined to say when the 48-hour window ends, but said the timeline is being negotiated. “If there is involvement of police or National Guard − or the threat of involvement of police or National Guard − that is clearly a violation of good-faith negotiations, and negotiations would not proceed,” she said. “It's why they stopped in the first place.''

Chang said there's no reason to believe Columbia would call for the National Guard.

Emory student newspaper: Police using 'gas' on protesters

At Emory University in Atlanta, The Emory Wheel reported officers from the Emory Police Department, Atlanta Police Department and Georgia State Patrol "began using gas and arresting protesters" Thursday morning, a few hours after protesters set up tents in the school's Quadrangle. University President Gregory Fenves said most of the protesters were not associated with the university. Videos from the scene showed chaos as police arrived and students began running. One person appeared to be held down by three officers.

The Council on American–Islamic Relations in Georgia condemned the use of force at Emory.

"Protesters shared a day of cultural learning and community despite which Emory deployed excessive use of force, tear gas, and rubber bullets," CAIR said in a social media post.

Columbia trustees express support for president Shafik

Columbia’s board of trustees threw its weight behind Shafik on Thursday ahead of the threat of a censure vote. The board said in a statement it “strongly supports” Shafik, the former president of the London School of Economics who, in her first year on the job, is steering Columbia through its most tumultuous school year since the Vietnam War era. 

“During the search process for this role, President Shafik told us that she would always take a thoughtful approach to resolving conflict, balancing the disparate voices that make up a vibrant campus like Columbia’s, while taking a firm stance against hatred, harassment and discrimination,” the board wrote in the public announcement. “That's exactly what she's doing now.”

The support came amid expectations the university senate, Columbia's main governing body, may vote Friday on a resolution to formally censure Shafik over her decision to call the New York City Police Department to the Manhattan campus last week. The move must be sponsored by a committee, which hasn't happened yet, decreasing the likelihood it will come up for a vote. 

The resolution, obtained by USA TODAY, accuses Shafik of a “violation of the fundamental requirements of academic freedom and shared governance” and an “unprecedented assault on students’ rights.”

The motion deliberately does not call for her resignation, though. Some faculty leaders think Shafik’s departure would hand a win to politicians that have, in their view, improperly interfered in campus affairs, as expressed by the American Association of University Professors .

− Zachary Schermele

Jill Stein, other politicians visit students at Columbia encampment

Dr. Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, spent 45 minutes Thursday speaking and taking photos with students at the encampment in Columbia's West Lawn. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, whose daughter attends the all-women's Barnard College − affiliated with Columbia − also visited .

In a brief interview with USA TODAY, Stein said, “We are seeing courageous young people with a clear vision standing up to say these are our First Amendment rights.

“These are absolutely essential, that we have a right to debate and to discuss these critical actions that are taking place right now,” Stein added. “We have a right to oppose them.''

Cornel West, another third-party candidate and a philosopher, visited a week ago after the university called New York City police, who arrested more than 100 students in a smaller encampment nearby. He also spoke to students occupying the West Lawn, where the current encampment now stands. Students have since formed a gathering space on the grass with rows of tents, along with food distribution, first aid and clothing. 

Troopers in riot gear break up University of Texas protest

At the University of Texas in Austin, the Palestine Solidarity Committee posted a call to "Stand with the Arrested, Stand with Gaza," urging professors and students to join a rally Thursday. On Wednesday, state troopers in riot gear and police on horseback broke up a protest at the school, and 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail in connection to the protest, Travis County sheriff's office spokesperson Kristen Dark said.

Pavithra Vasudevan, a professor at UT, said students had planned an educational event about Palestinians for the afternoon and had asked faculty members to lead workshops. Vasudevan said he was present when police began arresting protesters.

“The president and university administration chose to militarize our campus in response … to students gathering to express themselves,” Vasudevan said.

All 57 people have had their charges disposed of, Dark said, but it was unclear how many people had been released from the jail as of Thursday morning.

University of Texas President Jay Hartzell told a state lawmaker that he and other officials sought help from state law enforcement for the protest Wednesday because “our police force couldn’t do it alone,” according to text messages obtained by the American-Statesman, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Hours after state troopers marched to the University of Texas campus to disperse the crowd, Texas state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt sent a message to Hartzell and University of Texas System Chancellor J.B. Milliken questioning the law enforcement response.

“It appears the state is treating UT Austin differently than other campuses,” Eckhardt wrote at 6:07 p.m. Wednesday, according to the message, obtained under the Texas Public Information Act. “I’ve not seen reports of DPS in tactical gear sent to other campuses. Did UT Austin ask for this heightened presence?”

Michigan State president considering action on encampment

At Michigan State University, a student coalition set up a Gaza solidarity encampment, asking for the school to divest from Israeli firms and weapons manufacturers. Students from the coalition have attended every Board of Trustees meeting since October pressing for the change in investments.

MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz told the State Journal , part of the USA TODAY network, that he respected student rights to protest but was concerned about safety. He said he would follow local ordinances in deciding whether to take action.

"I don't want to be known as a place that has shut down free speech, or one's ability to express themselves," he said. "College campuses have been the epicenter for activism and protests for decades."

− Sarah Atwood, Lansing State Journal

Brandeis University reaches out to Jewish students elsewhere

Brandeis University, a Massachusetts school founded by the American Jewish community to counter antisemitism 76 years ago, is extending it's transfer application period to May 31 because of the "current climate" at other schools. School President Ron Liebowitz issued a  statement  Tuesday saying it is "unacceptable" that protests on some campuses have resulted in Jewish students being attacked physically and verbally because they are Jewish or support Israel, he said.

He said the school welcomes "Jews and students from every background" who are looking for an educational environment striving to be free of "Jew-hatred."

"Brandeis has been committed to protecting the safety of all its students," Liebowitz said. "In the current atmosphere, we are proud of the supports we have in place to allow Jewish students to thrive."

Hamas, Iran applaud US protests: Militant groups offer public support

Hamas, Iran express support for US protesters

A senior Hamas official and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly applauded the growing number of  protests against the war in Gaza  and encampments that have sprung up on college campuses from California to Massachusetts and have become a flashpoint in the U.S.

Izzat Al-Risheq, a member of the militant group's Political Bureau,  said Wednesday  that President Joe Biden's administration is violating the rights of students and faculty members and arresting them "because of their rejection of the genocide of Palestinian people" in Gaza.

Khamenei issued a statement on social media celebrating the flying of Hezbollah's flag in the streets of the U.S. "The people of the world are supporting the Resistance Front because they are resisting & because they are against oppression," the post read.

− Romina Ruiz-Goiriena

Why are students protesting on college campuses?

The  protesters  opposed to Israel's military attacks in Gaza say they want their schools to stop funneling endowment money to Israeli companies and other businesses, like weapons manufacturers, that profit from the war in Gaza. It is not easy to define what an "investment" in Israel entails, said economist Sandy Baum, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute who studies college finances. She said bigger investments are more obvious than smaller ones tucked away in mutual funds.

Columbia University, a focal point for the protests, has one of the largest school endowments in the nation at more than  $13 billion .

"Why is our money being used to fund bombs overseas?" said Layla Saliba, a student protester researching endowment investments with the group Columbia University Apartheid Divestment. "Let's reinvest this money in our community instead."

− Claire Thornton

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY; Lily Kepner, Tony Plohetski and Bayliss Wagner , Austin American-Statesman; Shahid Meighan and Cole Behrens, Columbus Dispatch; Brian Rosenzweig, The Herald-Times ; Reuters