2025 Celebration of Scholarships and Fellowships Dinner
Members of the GW community came together on March 28, 2025, to show gratitude to scholarship donors and celebrate the achievements of scholarship students. The more than 220 guests included donors, students, parents, university leaders, and friends – with many donors and the students who benefitted from their generosity meeting in person for the first time. The special night featured remarks from GW President Ellen M. Granberg and reflections from student scholarship recipients on how the transformative impact of scholarships and fellowships forever changes their lives.
Joyce and Saul Brandman Military Veteran Endowed Scholarship Fund
The Joyce and Saul Brandman Military Veteran Endowed Scholarship Fund was created to close financial need gaps for student veterans after their military educational benefits. The scholarship recipients, known as Brandman Scholars, are in their junior or senior year at GW.
The scholarship fund was established by Joyce Brandman and carries on the legacy begun by her late husband, Saul Brandman. A self-made man who left pre-med studies to “serve his turn” in the Navy during World War II, he returned from combat to a long and successful career in the garment industry and real estate.
Student Scholarship Recipient Video Spotlights
Peyton Gallant, CCAS ’26
Steven and Diane Robinson Knapp Endowed Scholarship
Steven and Diane Robinson Knapp Endowed Scholarship
Peyton Gallant is a junior in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, studying Political Communication in the School of Media and Public Affairs. He is from Tallahassee, FL. Outside of the classroom, Peyton serves as an Undergraduate Admissions Fellow, where he leads campus tours and information sessions sharing the GW experience with prospective students and their families. He also works as a Communications Intern with the Office of Communications and Marketing, creating compelling content that showcases the student experience, #OnlyAtGW moments, and more. Peyton is also involved with the Student Government Association as the Director of Senate Communications, and is a member of GW College Democrats and GW Dance Marathon.
Amy Fehr, SEAS ’24 ’25
The A. James Clark Engineering Scholars Program
Amy is a graduate student at the School of Engineering and Applied Science, where she also completed her bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, along with a minor in computer engineering. Originally from Leesburg, VA, she enjoys exploring everything that Washington, D.C. has to offer. Amy is a member of the GW Honors Program and served as the philanthropy chair for the Biomedical Engineering Society during her undergraduate years. Amy is now completing research for her master’s thesis in the GW nanofabrication center. She also works as the Clark Scholars Program Graduate Fellow, helping to manage the scholarship program that supported her throughout her undergraduate studies. She is passionate about GW’s commitment to helping students achieve financial security and cherishes the unique experiences that only GW can provide.
Open Doors: The Centuries Initiative for Scholarships & Fellowships
Open Doors: The Centuries Initiative for Scholarships & Fellowships
Opening a single door can make a world of difference.
The Open Doors campaign has rallied our community to expand access to a GW degree:
- The average total contribution to scholarships and fellowships donors make each year has increased 32%.
- GW launched the Third Century Scholarship Endowment Match and you responded: the average annual contribution to endowed scholarships for undergraduates with financial need grew by 74%.
- GW has increased its commitment to undergraduate financial aid 61% over the last 10 years.
“Through your selfless actions, you demonstrate how citizens have the power and influence to open doors, changing the lives of individuals and their families.”
Donna Arbide
Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations
