Charles Nailen/The Hoya Georgetown students watch as the Dahlgren Fountain is officially turned on for the first time this spring season.

Despite the rain and snow that characterized the first two weeks of April, Georgetown University once again celebrated its annual Fountain Day Thursday afternoon to herald the coming of spring.

Students were greeted with flowers and programs as they walked into Dahlgren Quadrangle, in what was relatively warm weather. Approximately 100 students and administrators mingled and snacked on refreshments while waiting for the event to begin.

In addition to the change of season, the event also marked the change of student leadership. After a controversial GUSA election, Student Association President Brian Morgenstern (COL ’05) and Vice President Steve de Man (COL ’04) were officially sworn in by outgoing President Kaydee Bridges (SFS ’03) and Vice President Mason Ayer (SFS ’03).

“We are together today not only to see this fountain come to life, but to celebrate the very fabric of our community,” orgenstern said. Invoking memories of frisbee players and sunbathers on Copley Lawn, Morgenstern encouraged all Georgetown students to claim a sense of ownership over Georgetown.

After relaying a humorous story about officially meeting Georgetown President John J. DeGioia for the first time the morning after his 21st birthday, de Man introduced DeGioia. He pointed out that DeGioia’s experience as a Georgetown undergraduate, resident assistant, athlete, graduate student, professor, Senior Vice President and finally President indicated that he knew much about the Georgetown legacy that Fountain Day celebrates.

The common theme of DeGioia’s speech, as well as orgenstern’s remarks, was the infectious mood that invades the Georgetown community in the springtime and adds to the legacy that all Hoyas inherit.

The speeches were interspersed by musical selections by the Chimes and Gracenotes, as well as the traditional reading of an excerpt of Alfred Tennyson’s “Ulysses.”It celebrates the coming of spring much like this event,” Senior Class Committee Chair Ted Bauer (COL ’03) said. Bauer and Bridges both read from the poem.

With DeGioia’s announcement that the university “formally declares spring has begun,” memories of the cold weather were temporarily forgotten as the fountain in Dahlgren Quadrangle was turned on for the 2003 spring season.