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ARCS Foundation® Metropolitan Washington Chapter (ARCS MWC) will host its 57th annual Scholar Awards Reception (SAR) at 6:30pm on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in The Great Hall at The National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. This premier event honors and celebrates the prestigious incoming cohort of 22 ARCS MWC Scholars pursuing significant research in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at our five partner universities (identified below).|

The event underscores the importance of ARCS MWC funding in today’s changing financial landscape for scientists and engineers. Moreover, the sustained technical leadership of our keynote speaker, an ARCS MWC Scholar Alum, illustrates the impact that ARCS support has on U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and national security. Attend this event to learn more about ARCS MWC and STEM philanthropy!

A reception highlighted by a poster session showcasing each Scholar’s cutting-edge research will open the event. ARCS MWC is extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo as the 2026 SAR keynote speaker. Dr. Sandhoo is the Director of the Space Development Agency and the Space Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Missile Warning and Tracking. A renowned national security and technology leader across the private and public sectors, he is a veteran of more than 36 years in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. Dr. Sandhoo was an ARCS MWC Scholar during 1995-97 while he was earning his DSc at The George Washington University. In his keynote presentation, he will discuss his career and how ARCS made a difference, both while he was a scholar and now. Co-Presidents Julie Hohl and Jane Riddle say “Dr. Sandhoo’s career reflects the heights our Scholar Alums reach as leaders advancing U.S. competitiveness and national security, emphasizing the continuing importance of the ARCS MWC mission, particularly now given reduced U.S. funding for science and engineering.”

More information about the event and registration can be found at www.RSVPtoARCS-MWC.org.

About ARCS Foundation MWC: ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation is a national, non-profit organization started and run entirely by women. Founded in 1958, its mission is to advance U.S. science and technology by providing financial awards to academically outstanding U.S. citizens studying to complete degrees in science, engineering, math, technology, and medical research. ARCS MWC, chartered in 1968, has donated $9.3 million through 825 Scholar awards at its five local partner universities, forwarding 100% of corporate, foundation, and individual donations each year to chapter Scholars. ARCS MWC enables innovative STEM inventions in areas such as biomedical research, space exploration, and computing complexity (among others), advancing U.S. competitiveness. The five ARCS MWC university partners are Georgetown University, The George Washington University, The Johns Hopkins University, The University of Maryland, and The University of Virginia.