Graduate School USA to Establish Center for Education and Training at The Wharf on the Southwest Waterfront

First Commercial Anchor for New Southwest DC Development Announced

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Graduate School USA announced today that it has signed an agreement to establish a Center for Education and Training at The Wharf, the new mixed-use waterfront development in Southwest DC.  Washington, DC Mayor Vincent C. Gray, along with Council Chair Kwame Brown, Councilmember Tommy Wells, Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton were on hand today to announce this major anchor tenant in the new waterfront neighborhood.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110310/DC62798)

"The creation of this Center represents a huge commitment to prepare our residents for careers through training and education," said Mayor Gray.  "The Graduate School USA's 90-year history of training and educating people in the public sector makes the institution an ideal partner for the Wharf neighborhood.  We are excited the School has decided to expand its mission right here in this landmark waterfront development.  I appreciate all of the development partners, who are creating jobs for District residents, bringing new amenities and services, and sparking further economic growth."

The Graduate School USA is the first organization to commit to long-term tenancy at The Wharf.  The Center for Education and Training will be a quality, convenient resource for residents seeking career preparation for federal, state, and local positions, as well as offering training for a variety of vocations and jobs readiness. The Center will house educational providers who can prepare residents for careers in high-growth areas -- allied health, hospitality, and construction -- the Graduate School, with its particular strength in training for careers in public service.

"This Center demonstrates our extensive commitment to the DC community," said Dr. Jerry Ice, CEO and President, Graduate School USA.  "We are working closely with the city to understand areas with the most potential and the highest need for workers.  Our goal is to bring a variety of training options to residents in one location to prepare them for rewarding careers now and in the future."  

The Wharf is a new $2 billion mixed-use waterfront neighborhood being developed by Hoffman-Madison Waterfront.  The site is located on the historic Washington Channel, situated along DC's southwest waterfront and adjacent to the National Mall.  The waterfront redevelopment stretches across 27 acres of land and 24 acres of water, from the Municipal Fish Market to Fort McNair.  Groundbreaking for The Wharf is scheduled for 2012, with the first phase scheduled to open in 2015.  

"The early addition of the Graduate School USA to The Wharf is an invaluable milestone towards launching a world-class waterfront," said Monty Hoffman, partner, Hoffman-Madison Waterfront.  "The school joins a collaborative team committed to bringing the District to the water. Their expanded, state-of-the-art campus on The Wharf will be designed to attract people from around the country as well as District residents preparing for rewarding careers. On many levels, we could not be more thrilled."

A longtime southwest DC community member, the Graduate School USA will retain its existing training and office space at 600 Maryland Avenue SW.

For more information, go to graduateschool.edu, www.wharfdc.com or follow us on Twitter #GSWharf, #DCgov.

About the Graduate School USA

Since 1921, the Graduate School USA has served the DC metro community and is dedicated to providing relevant learning opportunities in public service.  An independent, not-for-profit accredited educational institution; the School is dedicated to academic excellence and lifelong learning. Services include individual assessments, career-related courses, certificate and degree programs, continuing education and distance learning.  The School has recently expanded its mission to reflect a greater emphasis on preparing the residents of the District of Columbia for long-term careers.  More information can be found at graduateschool.edu.

About The Wharf

The Wharf is a world-class, mixed-use waterfront development by Hoffman-Madison Waterfront as part of the District of Columbia's Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. The Waterfront team is led by PN Hoffman and Madison Marquette and is comprised of ER Bacon Development, City Partners, Paramount Development, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse and Triden Development.  When complete, The Wharf will comprise approximately three million square feet of new residential, office, retail, hotel, cultural and public uses including parks, cultural centers, promenades, waterfront piers and docks.  The Wharf is accessible by Metro and the Circulator bus and is convenient to walking and biking along the waterfront. More information is available at www.wharfdc.com.

SOURCE The Graduate School