On March 21, Georgetown MS-GRA students visited the Trust for the National Mall and the Tidal Basin to learn more about the $112 million Seawall Reconstruction Project and Tidal Basin Ideas Lab to transform and rejuvenate this iconic part of Washington DC.

From the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab website:

“Adjacent to the National Mall, the Tidal Basin comprises the beloved blossoming cherry trees and monuments to leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King, Jr. Its beauty is matched by the complexity of its many meanings, as experienced by diverse audiences. Yet, despite its storied place in the national imagination, the Tidal Basin is very much at risk. The instability of the land underneath, daily flooding, and crumbling infrastructure threaten its future.”

Following the learning excursion, the students participated in a clean-up and recycling service project in collaboration with the National Park Service.

“The M.S. in Global Real Assets program had an enriching experience with the Trust for the National Mall, gaining insight into their mission to preserve and enhance this iconic public space. We toured an active construction site to better understand the restoration efforts and long-term vision for the area. The visit concluded with a hands-on cleanup around the Tidal Basin, where we contributed to maintaining the beauty and health of the park during this Cherry Blossom season. We are grateful for the Trust for the National Mall’s willingness to share their knowledge with the cohort and show why their mission is so important.” – Sam Bass (MS-GRA’25)

This unique opportunity to learn about a complex and important location in Washington DC helped further MS-GRA students’ ties to the community, a core value of the program. 

“We often take for granted all of the historic landmarks around DC and the important work that goes into maintaining and preserving these sites. I’m glad we had the opportunity to learn about the history and challenges of preservation and restoration from the Trust for the National Mall before doing a service project at the Tidal Basin with National Park Services. I think it gave the students a deeper appreciation for the dedication of so many organizations and individuals to care for these sites and reminded them of the importance of doing their part to be in service to others as part of Georgetown’s Jesuit mission.” – Nancy Marsden, Assistant Director of Graduate Programs (EMBA’26 and MS-GRA)

Learn more about the MS-GRA program.