The Georgetown Program Board (GPB) is a student-run organization that runs a wide range of activities for students throughout the year. GPB's signature events include the Mr. Georgetown pageant during Homecoming Weekend and the annual Spring Concert.
History
GPB emerged in 1984 after the university disbanded the Student Entertainment Commission (SEC) due to financial improprieties1. GPB was essentially a redesigned SEC: aiming to provide the student body with entertainment and social events while giving the university increased financial oversight.2
With its founding, GPB continued on the activities of SEC including sponsoring the annual fall concert and Springfest, where they host prominent singers and festivals for the student body. In the 1985 Springfest, they held the group General Public, and in 1987, Elvis Costello. Both concerts were sold out. As part of the spring festivities, GPB also held a barbecue and screened movies. GPB has frequently had difficulty securing a location for these concerts, considering there are limited spaces on campus to hold that many people. Historically these concerts were held in McDonough Arena. In 1999, GPB was unable to host the fall concert because the university failed to find an adequate venue since McDonough was completely booked up.3 When Gaston Hall was suggested, the University cited a letter written by the Director of Student Activities Facilities Debra Wood, who wrote that the historic nature of Gaston precludes it from use such as concerts.4
In 1999, GPB was given more funding and began a new tradition which would later be called Funniest Human. GPB would bring in local comedians to Bulldog Alley and host comedy nights for Hoyas. GPB Chair Mike Boyle (MSB ’00) said, "The comedy series is brand new. We've never done anything like this in the past."
In 2005, GPB held its first Mr. Georgetown pageant, a satire of beauty pageants that has evolved into a beloved Georgetown tradition. While a new tradition began, another ended; GPB stopped hosting its annual fall concert a few years later. In 2006, GPB hosted Fountains of Wayne in McDonough Arena, a poorly-attended event that didn't come close to recouping its costs5. Georgetown's most recent fall concert was held in 2010, co-sponsored by GPB headlined by rapper Lupe Fiasco6. Though the event itself was no fiasco, GPB chose not to hold a fall concert the following year due to budgetary and space constraints7.
Activities
GPB's signature events include Mr. Georgetown, Funniest Human, and the spring concert. Given the high demand and expenses involved for Mr. Georgetown and the spring concert, both events require tickets.
Funniest Human is an annual stand-up comedy competition now run by GPB8, usually held in February. Senator Lisa Murkowski (CAS '80), a Republican from Alaska, won the Funniest Human competition while at Georgetown9. Notable Georgetown comedy alumni include John Mulaney (CAS '04), Nick Kroll (CAS '01), Jim Gaffigan (MSB '88), and Mike Birbiglia (CAS '00)10.
GPB hosts an annual spring concert in McDonough Arena, typically held in March or April. Past performers include Wiz Khalifa, 11Calvin Harris12, and Alec Benjamin.
GPB also runs more casual events open to the entire student body, including weekly movie screenings and a Super Bowl watch party.
- 1Finegan, Megwin. "Stott Okays Program Board." The Hoya. 17 February 1984.
- 2Finegan, Megwin."Stott Okays Program Board." The Hoya. 17 February 1984.
- 3Carter, Heath. "GPB and GU Out of Concert." The Hoya. Sept 28, 1999.
- 4Carter, Heath. "GPB and GU Out of Concert." The Hoya. Sept 28, 1999.
- 5Sommer, Will. "GPBs budget woes." The Georgetown Voice. 28 September 2006.
- 6Kaku, Upsanu and Dana Sievers. "No Fall Concert Planned, GPB Says." The Hoya. 17 September 2011.
- 7Kaku, Upsanu and Dana Sievers. "No Fall Concert Planned, GPB Says." The Hoya. 17 September 2011.
- 8Brunjes, Alexandra. "Women in Comedy Stand Up and Stand Out." The Hoya. 16 March 2018.
- 9D'Alessio, Haley. "Sen. Murkowski discusses bipartisanship, gun control, and climate change." The Georgetown Voice. 30 April 2018.
- 10Brunjes, Alexandra. "Women in Comedy Stand Up and Stand Out." The Hoya. 16 March 2018.
- 11Uchimura, Ben. "Wiz Khalifa to Headline Spring Concert." The Hoya. 12 April 2016.
- 12Sayag, Eitan. "Calvin Harris Set for Spring Concert." The Hoya. 20 March 2013.
