By Melissa Milchman

Over 700 students, faculty and staff members gathered on March 29 for the Annual GW Equal Justice Foundation Auction. Both a Silent Auction and Live Auction were held at the law school where GW students, faculty, staff and community members actively bid on approximately 150 donated items.

The efforts of EJF members, as well as the generous donations and participation of students, faculty members, and community businesses resulted in a fundraising total of $40,118, surpassing last year’s total of $33,800.

“The purpose of the auction is to raise money for EJF’s stipend fund. All money raised goes directly to students applying for one of our $3,000 public interest stipends, which will be awarded in mid-April. The money is raised by students and goes directly back to students,” said Jessica Krupke, President of GW’s Equal Justice Foundation.

A.J. Kornblith, Gabrielle Lincoff and Carol Wu, the three coordinators and Vice Presidents in charge of the auction, have been planning and working with students, faculty members and community organizations for nearly a year to organize internal and external donations, mobilize volunteers and put on the auction.

According to Carol Wu, about forty-nine professors donated “dates” that were bid on by students. The highest bid was for “A Night of Carousing” with Professors Thomas Colby, Peter Smith, and Orin Kerr, which was auctioned-off for $2,700. Students also bid for lunches, brunches and baseball games with their favorite professors, all while raising money for their fellow classmates.

About 40 student-volunteers worked from 8 AM until midnight setting-up and cleaning-up the soft lounge and LL101 in order to prepare and decorate the law school for the spooky “AAAAHHHHuction” theme. Horror movie posters, spider webs, grave-yard tombs and famous villain characters like Darth Vader were hung around the school in order to entice bidders and get students and faculty members excited about the auction.

Additionally, faculty members volunteered and dressed up as spooky characters to go along with the theme. Dean Johnson, dressed as a werewolf, was accompanied by Professor Peter Smith, dressed as “President” Sarah Palin to start the live auction bidding. Dean Berman also participated, dressed as a Ghostbuster. Other faculty auctioneers included Professor Maggs, Professor Cheh, Professor Turley and Dean Morrison. Additionally, SBA President Nick Nikic and President-Elect Mike Lueptow participated as auctioneers.

“My favorite part was how many students participated in both the silent and live auctions.” Krupke said. “We had a great attendance this year, and the support from the student body is awesome to see after many months of hard work. It’s a popular event for students, and I think that speaks to the fun environment, the high quality of the auctioneers, and the amazing prizes up for bid.”