This week, students will celebrate the man behind Washington University’s name with a series of service-related events sponsored by Lock & Chain sophomore honorary.

In memory of Washington, who would turn 279 on Tuesday, Lock & Chain will host events focused on engaging students in community service efforts.

The week has always been focused on service, but this year the group, which consists of 15 leaders chosen from the sophomore class, is making an even greater effort to encourage students to actively engage in St. Louis.

“It is going to be a little different because each year it focuses on community service, and this year we are going to take a more proactive stand,” said sophomore Justin Nicks, a member of Lock & Chain’s George Washington Week Oversight Committee.

The week will kick off Monday with a lecture titled “The Realities of St. Louis” by architecture professor Bob Hansman in Graham Chapel at 6 p.m. Hansman is the founder of City Faces, a program designed to bring art to inner-city youth in the projects of downtown St. Louis.

Hansman’s lecture will focus on issues in the St. Louis area.

According to Nicks, many students are unfamiliar with the realities of the city.

“The Wash. U. bubble is pretty small, and it is pretty easy to stay within it,” Nicks said.

After Hansman’s speech, Lock & Chain will host a community service showcase, where groups such as Campus Y will inform attendees about volunteer opportunities.

On Saturday morning, students will have an opportunity to volunteer at the St. Louis Hope House, a shelter for abused women.

Students said they thought participation in these community service events would help them to be more engaged in the St. Louis community.

“I do not feel like I really know St. Louis,” sophomore Ali Ruth said. “I think more participation in community service can fix issues like that. There is a lot more to St. Louis than this campus.”

According to members of Lock & Chain, the week is about unity as well as service, and students will have ample chances to both get in touch with their inner colonists and celebrate Washington’s birthday 2011-style.

“We’re trying to reach as many people as possible,” sophomore Shannon McAllister, a member of Lock & Chain, said. “When we started looking at what George Washington Week would turn out to be, we tried to co-program as many existing events as possible in the hope of creating a sense of unity on campus.”

Bon Appétit will offer a number of George Washington-inspired foods around campus this week, including cherry tarts at Tuesday Tea @ 3 and presidential nosh at CPC Happy Hour on Thursday.

Other events will include a birthday celebration for Washington in the Danforth University Center on Wednesday, followed by a luncheon hosted by Connect 4, a student group that promotes understanding of diversity on campus.

On Wednesday, the Diversity Affairs Council will hold an open forum called “The State of the WU Community,” where members will announce the results of a student body survey on campus diversity.

On Thursday night, Lock & Chain will host a “Club Washington” event at Club F15teen. On Friday the Washington Party, a fundraiser for City Faces, will occur in the Gargoyle at 8:30 p.m. There will be a cash bar and performances by RNS and khiz.