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David Holt

Mayor of Oklahoma City

Mayor Holt Biography

Mayor David Holt is the mayor of Oklahoma City, the nation’s 20th-largest city. He is also the current president of the United States Conference of Mayors and serves on the international affairs committee. As president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Mayor Holt works with more than 1,400 mayors to align city leadership with national and global priorities, including how cities respond to international opportunities and challenges. Holt is also the current Dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Mayor Holt served in the office of the U.S. Speaker of the House and spent two years in the White House Office of Legislative Affairs for President George W. Bush. Mayor Holt returned home to his native Oklahoma City in 2004, where he ultimately spent five years as chief of staff to his predecessor, Mayor Mick Cornett, before he was elected to the Oklahoma Senate. Holt spent eight years in the Senate and authored over 70 pieces of legislation that became law.

Mayor Holt received his B.A. in political science (with a minor in English) from the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences at the George Washington University in 2001. During his time in Foggy Bottom, Mayor Holt also served a year as co-editor of the GW Hatchet sports section, where he covered men’s basketball and produced a series recapping a century of GW sports history. Mayor Holt lived in Thurston Hall his freshman year, where he met his wife, Rachel Canuso Holt, who also graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in criminal justice.  

Bella Burtin

Bachelor of Science, International Affairs, Biology and Mind-Brain Studies Minors 

Student Speaker

Bella Burtin Biography

Bella Burtin is a senior in the Elliott School of International Affairs from Atlanta, Georgia. She is majoring in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution and minors in biology and mind-brain studies. Burtin studied abroad at the Institute for American Universities in Barcelona, where she served as Vice President of student government and held an internship at an international non-profit organization, Impulse4Women. At GW, she is a Presidential Academic Scholarship Recipient, a National Society for Leadership and Success member, and on the Dean's List. Burtin is also a member of Kappa Delta, Vice President of Events for The Women’s Network, Mock Trial Speaker for the Women’s Pre-Law Student Association, Staff Writer for the Justice Journal, Volunteer Child Advocate at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, and held the position of DEI-Coordinator for the Panhellenic Association. While in DC, she has interned with the International Monetary Fund and for the office of DC Representative Oye Owolewa. This past semester, Burtin completed a senior thesis, Crafting a Pathway to Legalization for Undocumented Immigrant Workers, and presented her findings at the ESIA Student Research Showcase.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I am finishing my degree in the summer, can I participate in commencement?

Yes, just apply for summer graduation in GWeb by April 1, after you register for summer courses, to ensure you are included in the commencement program.

If I am a fall 2025 graduate, can I participate in commencement?

Yes, all fall 2025 graduates are eligible to participate and will be included in communications.

What if I miss the March 14 (or April 1 for summer) application deadlines in GWeb?

You can still apply for graduation in GWeb, but inclusion in the celebration program cannot be guaranteed due to publishing deadlines.

What if I didn’t receive a confirmation after applying to graduate?

You can check DegreeMAP to confirm that the application is on file.

If an application is on file for you, then you will see the words "Sought-Applied to Graduate" or "Applied Late Degree Clearance" in the "Graduation Application" field on your DegreeMAP audit. This is located near the top, in the same section as your name, GWID, Major, etc.

Does the Elliott School provide graduation cords or stoles?

Cords are handled by each organization. If you are involved in a group that you know or think might provide cords or stoles for graduation, we encourage you to contact that organization. If you are an Elliott School Dean's Scholar, you will be contacted about graduation cords for that program. Otherwise, there are no cords associated with Elliott School degree programs and Elliott does not provide cords or stoles for Latin Honors.

Are there two ceremonies for graduation? Which should I attend?

Yes, there is an Elliott School ceremony on May 15 AND a GW-wide commencement ceremony on May 17. You can attend both and the content will be different at each event! At the Elliott School ceremony, each graduating student will be recognized individually and cross the stage.

What is the bag policy?

Bags larger than 5”x7”x0.75” are prohibited at all school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall (permitted bags are subject to search)

Diaper and ADA/medical bags up to 16”x16”x8” will be allowed.  Permitted bags are subject to search. If you bring a permitted bag, expect a longer wait time and delayed entry. For more information and a list of prohibited items see the Commencement website.

Please also refer to the University Commencement site for additional Frequently Asked Questions and answers.

External Impacts on Commencement Weekend Events

WMATA Metro trains will not operate between the Crystal City and Potomac Yard stations (Yellow and Blue lines) May 16-17.  WMATA will provide free shuttle buses.  Add more travel time if you will be impacted by the suspension in service.

Freedom250 will host an event near GW’s Commencement on May 17.  There may be an increased use of rideshare services and street closures surrounding that event that could impact graduate and guest arrivals.  Updates will be posted as they become available.

See more information about travel, parking, and more on the Plan Your Visit Commencement website.

Accessibility

GW is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please see the information regarding Smith Center and National Mall accessibility on the University Commencement website.

Questions?

Contact us at esiacelebrationgwu [dot] edu (esiacelebration[at]gwu[dot]edu).

View Past Celebrations

Contact us at esiacelebrationgwu [dot] edu (esiacelebration[at]gwu[dot]edu) with questions.