News

Dear ARCS MWC Members,

We were pleased to host our Winter Membership Meeting at the Riverbend Club, where more than 70 members and guests gathered for an afternoon with Retired United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy. Justice Kennedy spoke about his recent memoir, Life, Law and Liberty, offering personal reflections and stories behind the book. It was a true privilege to hear directly from Tony in such an intimate setting. The conversation was expertly guided by ARCS member Silvija Strikis, whose thoughtful moderation—shaped in part by her experience clerking for the late Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor—made for an engaging and memorable discussion.

Our annual university visits are also underway—always a highlight of the ARCS year. These visits give us the chance to see our scholars in their “native habitats” and gain a deeper appreciation for the work we support. So far, we’ve had wonderful visits at the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland with more to come. There is still time to sign up for upcoming visits to Georgetown University and The George Washington University—we hope many of you will join us.

We are also delighted to announce the selection of our 2026–27 Endowment Scholars. This year’s recipients are Alexander Frolov from the University of Maryland, whose work focuses on cybersecurity, and Samuel Allsup from Georgetown University, who is a biochemistry researcher. Please join us in congratulating these outstanding scholars.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Endowment Award Selection Committee for their time, care, and thoughtful deliberation throughout the selection process. This year’s committee included Leo Bloschock, Julian Francis, and Catherine Langreney, and was chaired by Tonie Contreras.

Looking ahead, we are excited for our biggest event of the year—the Eagle Award and Celebration—taking place on May 1 at the Army and Navy Club. This year, we are honored to recognize The Honorable Deborah Wince-Smith, Founder and CEO of the Council on Competitiveness and ARCS MWC member. The evening promises to be a special one, with several outstanding auction items including original artwork by ARCS MWC member Betsy Forster, tickets to a Red Sox game, and luxurious stays at The Greenbrier and The Inn at Little Washington, among others. We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a memorable celebration.

Thank you all for your continued engagement and support—March has been a wonderful reminder of the strength and vibrancy of our community.
 

~ Julie Hohl and Jane Riddle, ARCS MWC Co-Presidents