Celebration of Scholarships and Fellowships Dinner

2026 Celebration of Scholarships and Fellowships Dinner

 

On March 27, 2026, nearly 270 GW scholarship donors, students, and GW leaders came together to celebrate the generosity of scholarships and fellowships at the George Washington University. GW President Ellen M. Granberg, Vice President, University Advancement David L. Unruh, and scholarship recipients shared their gratitude and the impact of scholarships and fellowships.

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Vice President for University Advancement David Unruh (l), GW scholarship recipients Zoie Nieto and Michael Bekele, and GW President Ellen M. Granberg at the Celebration of Scholarships and Fellowships dinner.
Vice President for University Advancement David Unruh (l), GW scholarship recipients Zoie Nieto and Michael Bekele, and GW President Ellen M. Granberg at the Celebration of Scholarships and Fellowships dinner. (Abby Greenawalt)
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Scholarship students Read Brown (l), Sadee Gedse, Matteo de Laurentiis and Michael Bekele.
Scholarship students Read Brown (l), Sadee Gedse, Matteo de Laurentiis and Michael Bekele. (Liz Lynch)

 

 

Student Scholarship Recipient Video Spotlights

Michael Bekele, CCAS ’26, GWSB ’27

Arias Family Endowed Scholarship

Michael is a student in GW’s dual-degree 4+1 program, concurrently pursuing a B.S. in Psychological and Brain Sciences and an M.S. in International Business, truly exemplifying the interdisciplinary spirit of GW. He serves as the Vice President of Corporate Relations for the Graduate Consulting Club, where he manages strategic partnerships. Beyond the classroom, Michael is a proactive entrepreneur and the founder of ABOL Group, a holding company focused on business development and emerging market opportunities. Through ABOL Group, he recently launched a specialized newsletter tracking the development of the Ethiopian Securities Exchange (ESX), positioning himself at the forefront of East African financial news.

Zoie Nieto, SMHS ’27

Flynn Family Adopt-A-Doc Scholarship

Zoie is a third-year medical student from Findlay, Ohio. She graduated from Princeton University, where she majored in Anthropology and minored in Archaeology. After completing her undergraduate studies, she attended Bryn Mawr College and earned a post-baccalaureate premedical certificate. Prior to beginning medical school at GW, Zoie worked as a medical assistant in a specialized dermatology practice in Northern Virginia. This experience, together with her training as a medical student, deepened her appreciation for the importance of attentive listening and active presence in fostering healing and building trust with patients. She is dedicated to practicing medicine that is compassionate and personalized, with a strong focus on empathy and patient advocacy. After finishing medical school, Zoie plans to pursue an AP/CP pathology residency to become a forensic pathologist.

 

 


“When you support students, you are investing not only in their success but in the future they will help create.”

David L. Unruh
Vice President, University Advancement

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David L. Unruh