GW Men's Rowing

Friends of GW Men's Rowing

Alumni and friends of George Washington University Men’s Rowing program and
supporters of the sport of rowing are hereby organizing to support, provide aid and
assistance to the George Washington University Men’s Rowing program members and
alumni in furthering their rowing activities.

It is our hope and belief that this support, aid and assistance, financial and otherwise,
will materially assist the George Washington University Men’s Rowing program in
maintaining the highest possible standards of excellence, no less than their traditional
competitors.

We also believe that this organization will provide the means for alumni and friends to
retain a close relationship with the George Washington University Rowing programs,
fellow alumni, supporters, and current student-athletes.

Welcome All!

 

Friends of GWMR

The Friends of GW Men's Rowing 501c3 organization (FOGWMR for short) was setup and built by alumni who are passionate about the team and its continued activity and success. On behalf of the board, we hope that we can provide the support, funding, guidance necessary to keep GW competing at the highest levels we can, while continuing to honor the tradition and history of our club.

GWMR LOGO MAIN

Board Members

Matt Russell

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
President
'94, B.A. Political Science

Matt is an alum of the Men’s Varsity Rowing team at GW and rowed from 1990 to 1994, sitting in the 5 seat of the Varsity 8 when they captured Bronze medals at the both Dad Vail and Champion Regattas.  He served as the captain of the team in 1994, when the men's team participated in an postseason exchange program with the Universities of Tokyo and Hitosubashi in Japan.  Matt has remained an active member of the GW Rowing community serving as the Men’s Freshman Coach from 1997-1999, the regatta director for the GW Invitational and has given generously of his time for both fundraising and other GW Alumni events.  Matt has also served as a High school head rowing coach, the 1999 United States Junior Women’s Development Camp and currently serves as the Head Coach for TBC Racing in Washington DC.  In addition to rowing, Matt has been a middle school teacher, school Principal, Assistant Superintendent and the Chief Business Development Officer for the National Catholic Educational Association.  He currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at Unbound 360 and lives in Bethesda MD with his wife and four children.

Chris Hawthorne

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Secretary
'84, B.A. Political Science

Rowed at GW from 1980-1984 (Port) and is the parent of two GW graduates,Emily 2016 and James 2019,(GW rower (Starboard)).  Beyond watching his son row, Chris is most proud of the evolution of the team from 1980 to 1984, culminating with a win over our Potomac neighbors after 20 years of second place finishes, as well as the great teammates and coaches.  In 2012, Chris became involved in GW Rowing fundraising and brought a much needed boost of energy to create an active and engaged Alumni base, momentum that we still lean heavily on till this day.  In 2017, Chris rowed in the Alumni Masters 8 boat at the Head of the Charles.

Professionally, Chris is an insurance broker and advisor in the greater Boston area. 

Connor Barley

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Board Member
'16, B.S. Biology

Connor is an alum of the Men’s Varsity Rowing team at GW and rowed from 2012 to 2016. He coxed the Freshman 8 in 2013 and went on to cox the 1V8 for the next 3 years, helping the team to their best ever finish of 13th place (at the time) at the IRA National Championships in 2014. Since graduating he spent a year in teaching and now works at a technology company called Klaviyo as a Senior Solutions Architect. 

Jordan Volpe

School of Business
Alumni Representative
2016, B.B.A International Business

Jordan is an alum of the Men’s Varsity Rowing team at GW and rowed from 2012 to 2016. He sat bow seat of the 1V8  most of the time during his 4 years on the team, helping the team to their best ever finish of 13th place (at the time) at the IRA National Championships in 2014. He also represented team USA at the U23 Rowing World Championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2016, Jordan was part of a small group of rowers to travel to the UK and represent GWMR at the Henley Royal Regatta. He is now a sales and marketing executive at OpenWater, a technology company focused on helping non-profits and founded by a fellow GWMR alum.

Ben Adams

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Alumni Representative
'93 & Georgetown Law '00

Ben is an alum of the Men’s Varsity Rowing team at GW and rowed from 1991 to 1993, having transferred to GW during his Sophomore year.  Ben has remained an active member of the GW Rowing alumni community giving generously of his time for both fundraising and joining the Alumni Masters 8 at the Head of the Charles in ‘17, ‘19 and ‘21.  After GW, Ben went into the Peace Corps and served in Cameroon, Central Africa for 3 years before returning and going to Law School.  Ben is VP of Legal at PayPal and lives in Los Gatos, CA with his wife and 3 daughters. 

David Lincoln

School of Business
Alumni Representative
2017, B.A. Economics

David was an oarsman on the GW Men’s Rowing team from 2013 to 2017. From 2018 to 2021, David served as an assistant coach for the team. Notably, he helped coach the second varsity 8+ to a 7th place finish in the 2021 IRA National Championships. He is currently in his first year studying at Georgetown University Law Center. David remains an active member of the D.C. rowing community and spends most mornings sculling on the Potomac.

Lawrence A. "Sandy" Morrison

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Alumni Representative
'60, Political Science & GW Law '69

Sandy was one of the founding members of the GWU Men’s Crew in 1956. He along with Robert Moore (GWU ’58) approached the Athletic Department with the idea that GWU needed a rowing team. With support from the D.C. rowing community and the campus Greek organizations a rowing club was formed.  A surplus boat was bought from the U.S. Naval Academy and oars were bought with funds raised at University events. The crew hit the water with a race against the local High Schools in May of 1956.  Sandy rowed until graduation.  Upon graduation he went into the U.S. Navy as an Ensign and remained for a 22 year career serving at sea in Destroyers, in Viet Nam, and various other shore duty assignments. When in Washington for duty Sandy took night classes at GWU Law School and graduated in 1969. He retired from the Navy in 1982 as a Commander, Surface Warfare. When in Washington and after his retirement from the Navy, Sandy has always been an active and strong supporter of both the men’s and women’s rowing programs. He takes great pride in the level of excellence that GWU’s Crews have achieved and believes strongly in the future of the rowing program.  Sandy lives in Arlington with his wife Nieta and they have 6 grandchildren.

Mark Cenit

School of Business
Board Member
1989

Mark is an alum of the Men's Varsity team from 1986-1989.  After college he remained involved in rowing, continuing to compete, co-founding and leading various clubs, volunteering in addition to teaching numerous people how to row.  He has consistently supported GW rowing.  Mark has been involved in other youth sports, coaching and holding leadership positions.  Mark lives in Nashville with his wife, and supports her rowing habit.

Paul Wilkins

Joe Gorman

School of Business
Treasurer
2017, B.S. Accounting & 2019, Masters Accounting

Joe was a student-athlete on the GW Men’s Rowing team from 2013 to 2017. He sat in the 1V8 for three years helping the team to a Third-Level Final win to tie the best finish in program history at No.14 in the nation at the time. Additionally, he rowed in the Varsity 4 that beat Cambridge University & Goldie Boat Club in the Visitors' Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 2016. A graduate of the GW Masters of Accountancy program, Joe is now a tax specialist at a Big Four public accounting firm. In his free time, he enjoys surfing and working out.