Parent Testimonial: Lisa and Victor Kohn


June 13, 2017

Cohn family
 

Investments can be risky, but scholarships are some of the soundest investments you can make.

Ask GW Parents Lisa and Victor Kohn. Their gifts to Power & Promise help two students—one receives a full four-year scholarship and one a partial four-year scholarship.

“We believe that scholarships are wonderful investments,” said Lisa and Victor. “We love the idea of helping people that have the talent and the discipline to attend GW where their only impediment is money.”

Their decision to support the university is rooted in the positive academic experiences of their two daughters: Lauren, CCAS ’15, and Gabriela, CCAS ’17.

“Holistically, everything—from the academics to their sorority—has been tremendous,” said Lisa and Victor. “They have made great friends, enjoyed their coursework, and loved the fact they are in the middle of D.C.”

Their appreciation of GW got the Kohns thinking—how many students are unable to afford the incredible education their daughters have?

“We are lucky we can afford them this opportunity, so we wanted to do something for the school,” said Lisa and Victor. “In doing some research about philanthropy at GW, we came across the Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarships and we realized it was the kind of thing we wanted to do.”

“We have all the confidence that the university has selected the brightest and worthiest recipients,” they added. “We feel very good knowing that those people are there now and are already benefitting from it.”

The Kohns also support GW Hillel, which they consider “a home away from home” for Lauren and Gabriela, citing the leadership of Rabbi Yoni Kaiser-Blueth.

“We couldn’t think of any reason not to do it,” said Lisa and Victor. “We would love for all of our friends’ children dispersed at universities around the country to have a warm place like GW Hillel. We are delighted to support it.”

Cost was not a barrier for Lauren and Gabriela to attend GW. For the Kohns, a gift to Power & Promise affords less fortunate students the same “only-at-GW” opportunities Lauren and Gabriela have experienced.

“We read a lot about the debts many students have upon graduation, which is a hurdle when you are getting started in life,” Lisa and Victor said. “If some of us who have been fortunate can make it less burdensome for others who have the talent to be at GW, then it’s some of the best investments we can make.”

“If some of us who have been fortunate can make it less burdensome for others who have the talent to be at GW, then it’s some of the best investments we can make.”

-Lisa and Victor Kohn, Parents