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Building
a
Greater
World
Hungry for Change
New global interdisciplinary institute harnessing the power of food
World-renowned chef, author, and humanitarian José Andrés, HON ‘14, has deepened his long-standing partnership with GW to change the world through the power of food. Recognizing the integral role food plays in society, Andrés and GW launched the Global Food Institute (GFI) in 2023. Interdisciplinary work across policy, innovation, and humanity will guide the institute in transforming how we grow, distribute, consume, and think about food.
Faculty and students from every school and college, alumni, industry leaders, policymakers, and renowned experts will convene at the Global Food Institute to advance solutions for our global food system.
$2.8M has been awarded since 2009 to GW students launching social innovation projects through GW’s New Venture Competition
GW ranks #25 in the nation for alumni Peace Corps volunteers
For 10 years GW Global Women’s Institute has been advancing gender equality by bridging research and action, and that work will continue with support from the GWI Catalyst Fund created in 2022 by Lauren and Albert Fite
“Food has the power to solve problems: it can rebuild lives and communities, heal both people and the planet and create hope for the future, but only if we think bigger,” said Andés, who in 2013 began teaching an interdisciplinary course at GW, The World on a Plate: How Food Shapes Civilization. “The Global Food Institute will reshape how we think about food, break down barriers across industries, politics, and nations, and inspire and empower the next generation to develop systemic solutions that reshape the food system.”
GW Alumni are changemakers. Like Michael Regan, MPA ‘04, head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who leads environmental policy and fighting climate change at the highest level
Jenna Segal, BA ‘98 and her husband Paul, established the Elliott School Fund for Scholars Affected by the War in Ukraine, extending a helping hand to Ukrainian scholars to continue their work during wartime as fellows at GW and abroad
The George Washington University Institute for Racial, Ethnic and Socioeconomic Equity is a new interdisciplinary institute that develops and champions community-based research partnerships to advance social justice. The Equity Institute has funded a dozen interdisciplinary projects in its first year across GW on topics including electric vehicles and health care, mental health and parental incarceration, international perspectives on sexual violence, and immigrant labor and the meat packing industry, and serves as a resource hub and think tank for successful community-engaged research.
A founding gift from Andrés made GFI possible with additional financial support from the Rockefeller Foundation, and Ave Tucker, BBA '77, secretary of the Board of Trustees, and Dianne Bostick. A significant contribution from the Nelson A. and Michele M. Carbonell Family Foundation will endow the inaugural Executive Director, who will bring the Global Food Initiative to life. “We can—more important, we must—put food at the heart of creating a better world,” Andrés said.
Henry “Ric” Duquès, BBA ‘65, MBA ‘69, and Dr. Dawn Brill Duquès, BA ‘69, are revitalizing the student experience at GW Business with a $2.5 million gift to update their namesake building. Upgrades include state-of-the art improvements to the instructional design studio, enhancing the reach of two global classrooms and reimagining the entrance into a welcoming lounge.
One hallmark of a GW education is hands-on learning, and that is particularly true at the GW Museum where students learn from precious works of art. In 2023, the estate of GW Emeritus Trustee Luther W. Brady, AA ‘44, BA ‘46, MD ‘48, HON ‘04, bequeathed more than 130 paintings and sculptures to the gallery bearing his name to enhance curatorial education for years to come.
Innovative Teaching & Learning
Helping Heroes Pursue Passion with Purpose
GW remains a national leader in veteran education
Military service runs in Elizabeth Kovacich’s, BSN ‘23, blood. Her grandfather served in the U.S. Air Force, her father and aunt in the Navy, and her brother in the Army.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Kovacich was fresh out of military medic training and jumped into action administering vaccines 12-14 hours each day with the Air National Guard at a clinic in Washington state. In those dark early days, she realized how much serving her community mattered, which solidified her desire to become a nurse.
And just in time. National nursing shortages have plagued the healthcare system for years, and dire nursing shortages are predicted as retirement and pandemic burnout take their toll. To address this looming crisis William and Joanne Conway established a scholarship for veterans at GW’s School of Nursing in 2020 with a $2.5 million gift from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF.
Elizabeth Kovacich knew GW supported veterans and that GW Nursing offered an accelerated path to a degree. She became a William and Joanne Conway Transitioning Warriors Nursing Scholar, receiving funding, mentoring and dedicated on-campus support.
“In the military, you have a different life experience. You almost have a different language. And sometimes it’s hard to connect that with what we call civilian life,” Kovacich said. “...Having that extra support plus scholarship funding to help get through school is everything.”
Kovacich graduated in May 2023 and is pursuing her dream as a critical care nurse at a hospital in Arizona, leading the way for the next generation of nurses.
With support from the Jacob Burns Foundation, GW Law students have represented D.C. residents seeking justice for more than 50 years, a legacy built to honor GW Trustee Jacob Burns, LLB ‘24, HON ‘70. From winning orthodontic care for a 10-year old to reversing for felony convictions and securing clemency for non-violent offenders, the Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics enable Law students to work directly with clients through 18 specialized programs.
GW has 1,400+ military-affiliated students and was ranked #11 in best for veterans among private universities by Military Times in 2022.
The first-ever veteran to use GI Bill benefits to pursue higher education was GW alumnus Don A. Balfour, AA ‘44, BA ‘45. The World War II veteran was granted his benefits just 23 hours after the bill was signed in 1944.