A Message from GEMA’s Founder and Chairman
October, 2006
Dear GEMA Members and Friends,
It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the Georgetown Entertainment & Media Alliance! It is exciting and gratifying to see that what began as a kernel of an idea in late 2001 has grown into such a thriving, significant organization in the Georgetown community. Historically, Georgetown had not realized the strong alumni base that has grown in the worlds of entertainment and media – I am proud that GEMA has played a key role in enhancing that awareness and focusing the University on the importance and relevance of our industry in today’s world for alumni and current students alike. Since GEMA’s launch, we have all accomplished a great deal including:
- The launch of GEMA-LA, GEMA-NY and coming soon, GEMA-DC
- A growth in membership which stands today at almost 1,300 worldwide
- The creation of ongoing programs for alumni including the GEMA Speakers Series, the GEMA Breakfast Series and the just launched WHAT ROCKS? GEMA LIVE AT THE ORPHEUM! --An all-alumni revival of Georgetown Cabaret
- The creation of ongoing programs for students including the annual GEMA Externship Program (in which 68 students and hundreds of alumni have participated) and the annual GEMA Entertainment & Media Alumni Career Panel held on campus
- The development of a plan to fulfill a central tenet of GEMA’s mission -- GEMA Philanthropy -- by raising significant funds to complete the GEMA Screening Room on Georgetown’s main campus; by supporting “Project Rebirth” by hosting screenings in New York and Las Vegas; and by working closely with GU to consider a long-term investment in a unique curriculum initiative in communications, media and entertainment for future generations of Hoyas
None of this could have been accomplished without you and all of your support. Most importantly, we have created something all of Georgetown can be proud of: a strong community of colleagues and friends. For that I say thank you, and I look forward to the next five years and beyond!
Rich Battista B’86
GEMA Founder and Chairman
