The Luther Rice Society Advisory Council (LRSAC) is a giving circle of GW alumni and parents dedicated to philanthropy. Every year, members join forces to make a $30,000+ gift to areas across the university. This year, the LRSAC selected three initiatives that help students thrive: the GW Alternative Breaks program, Career Quest, and first-generation student support.
“The council decided to support all three organizations because we wanted to ensure that all students have access to the experiences that make GW so special,” says LRSAC member Dean Coclin, SEAS BS ‘84, MS ‘19, P ‘13, ‘19.
Each area encompasses a different facet of the GW student experience. GW Alternative Breaks gives students opportunities to go on service-learning trips during school breaks, and philanthropic support will reduce program costs and provide students with financial assistance. Career Quest offers students hands-on professional development with leading organizations in major cities across the country. LRSAC’s gift will help fund student travel for this program. The last portion of LRSAC’s gift will aid first-generation students by funding workshops that aim to build community and provide resources that enable student success.
The LRSAC demonstrates how small gifts add up to yield significant impact. Amanda Brady, CPS MPS ‘11, joined the LRSAC because she wanted to be a part of the tradition of helping students achieve their goals. “GW gave me a solid foundation upon which to build my career. Being a member of the LRSAC gives me the perfect avenue to give back,” Brady says.