Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. Regional Engagement
Washington, D.C., and the surrounding area, is home to over 1400 alums. Use the links below to connect with your local ‘Cats!
Regional Leaders
Have an idea for a program or event? Looking for a way to get involved? Want to get an update on what’s happening in the region? Contact your leaders below!
President
Andrew Wilkins '11
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Young Alumni & Communications Co-Chairs
Tindall Adams '22
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Jared Herr '22
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Landon Schabes '22
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Co-Vice Presidents
Emily Rounds '21
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Joe Kane '22
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Events & Service Co-Chairs
Stephen Mayo '07
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Tess Reiman '21
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Alumni Events Calendar
Learn about upcoming events to reconnect and network with members of the Davidson community.
A Crowd-Sourced Guide to D.C.
Get to know Washington, D.C. thanks to suggestions from Davidson alumni and parents.
- Two American presidents kept alligators at the white house. Both Herbert Hoover and John Quincy Adams had pet alligators in the White House.
- President Jimmy Carter loved to watch movies in the White House, and to date, nobody has beat his record of watching 480 movies in the White House movie theater.
- Darth Vader adorns the Northwest tower of the National Cathedral.
- A very international city, DC is home to more than 170 embassies and international cultural centers. More than 15% of the residents in the city speak a language other than English in their home.
- When figuring out housing, the main factors to consider are price, size, and location. Prioritize which you want, because you can rarely get all three. And don’t be afraid of Craigslist.
- If you are going to work downtown, think hard about how you will get there as you decide where to live.
- Figure out your commute. Use the train, bike in the city, or take the bus. Buy a SmarTrip card your first time on the metro, and make sure to always have enough money on your SmarTrip card or have cash on hand. Be sure to look at the color of the metro train before you get on, or else you might end up crossing a river you didn't mean to. Don't be afraid of buses. The bus system is far more comprehensive than you think.
- Everyone loves to make fun of tourists, but if you can help when they ask you a question or look lost, do it. That means you need to get to know the city yourself.
- Live on the same side of the river you work. If you are able to avoid the bridge traffic in the morning commute, you are doing yourself a huge time-saving favor.
- Always make sure you know which "quadrant" you're supposed to be going to (NE, SE, SW, NW). Nothing like having your cab driver drop you off at 15th and D northwest when you really needed to be northeast!
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for help, and do it as often as you want or need. Not only will you benefit, so will your employers, peers and colleagues.
- Cast a wide net when looking for jobs, understand that cost of living is high and do your best to save money, and do not be afraid to ask your connections (alumni included) for things. We can’t help you if we don’t know you need it.
- Remember to get out of the city occasionally.
- There are many Wildcats here – don’t be shy! Say hi! Network! Network! Network! Go to alumni events and don’t be afraid to talk to people working in the field you’re interested in.
- Be open to meeting new people and making new friends. DC can be very transient and it is important to make new friendships/relationships.
- Don't forget to play tourist, and take advantage of living in a city with world-class, not to mention FREE museums.
- Get outside: Attend a in the evening. Rent a bike and spend a day in or . Check out . is closed all day Saturday and Sunday for all vehicles, so perfect for runners and walkers and bikers. Attend a summer concert at . Visit the . Visit the . Bike, walk or run on the , and trails in Virginia. Rent a car with friends and go out to the or for a day. Walk the or the in Bethesda, MD to see the Cherry Blossoms in spring.
- Enjoy being close to water: Go to . Have a drink or a meal at the . Go for a spin on at . Watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the . Kayak along or . Explore the .
- Cheer on DC Sports: The at Nationals Park. The and the at Capital One Arena. at FedEx Field. and at Audi Field. The at Entertainment and Sports Arena. Join a social sports league ( or ).
- Soak up the art and history: Tour at night. Visit . The best view of the city is in front of the , looking out over the . Go to the . Have coffee in the atrium of . Go to the . Go to the . Do a pre-arranged guided tour of the . Tour the . Take a guided tour by the Library of Congress of the . and call your congressman’s office! Hear a cool speaker at the . Go gallery hopping on a Friday in . Tour the on the weekend. Tour the . Go on the or , and try to see the tree lighting at least once! Take a tour of the . Check out rocking social scene. Take advantage of the . Attend a through the Harman Center for the Arts.
- Experience the culture of the area: Listen to . Go to a show/concert at . Be sure to visit the Kennedy . Visit the on the weekends. Attend in Great Falls. Go to the top of . Go to a concert at the . Spend a Sunday summer afternoon on the . See a theater production at , , , or the . Have a doughnut at . Stop by bookstore.