The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) celebrated its 34th Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner at The Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., on July 11, 2024. The event brought together hundreds of TFAS alumni, students, supporters and friends for an inspiring evening honoring remarkable individuals and fueling the future of the next generation of congressional and business leaders.

Thanks to generous sponsors, TFAS raised over $335,000 at the dinner. This significant funding is allocated to scholarships for college students participating in the TFAS D.C. Summer Programs track on Business + Government Relations in Washington, D.C.

The evening began with a networking reception sponsored by Airlines for America, BGR Group, Business Roundtable and the Louis DeJoy and Aldona Woś Family Foundation.

TFAS President Roger Ream ’76 opened the dinner by offering brief remarks before introducing Kirk Blalock, managing partner of Fierce Government Relations, who served as the master of ceremonies for the evening.

TFAS Business + Government Relations student Ashleigh Weinstock ’24 led the invocation and shared a testimonial about her internship at Dell and her time in Washington, D.C.

“TFAS taught me so much, but I think two of the most important are to work hard, even when you don’t feel like it, and be nice, even when there’s an easier option,” Weinstock said. 

The annual dinner supports students like Weinstock who participate in the TFAS D.C. Summer Programs track on Business + Government Relations. The funds raised give promising college students the financial support they need to spend the summer in Washington, D.C., taking classes, interning and benefiting from innumerable professional development and networking opportunities. TFAS is grateful to all the sponsors, for their investment in the country’s future leaders in business and government, including Lamont Copeland, Jr., who generously supported the event as Dinner Underwriter.

TFAS taught me so much, but I think two of the most important are to work hard, even when you don’t feel like it, and be nice, even when there’s an easier option.” – Ashleigh Weinstock ’24

AWARDS & HONOREES

Eric Tanenblatt, Global Chair of Public Policy and Regulation at Dentons, was presented with the 2024 TFAS Alumni Achievement Award.

In his remarks upon receiving the award, Tanenblatt shared that the knowledge he gained from TFAS propelled him to pursue a career in and around government and politics.

“Thirty-five years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the TFAS Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems, here in Washington, D.C,” Tanenblatt said. “It was during that summer experience that I discovered my passion for public policy. The knowledge and inspiration I gained from TFAS propelled me to pursue a career in and around government and politics. For this, I will forever be grateful to TFAS, its leadership, professors, fellow students and the TFAS alumni network.”

The knowledge and inspiration I gained from TFAS propelled me to pursue a career in and around government and politics. For this, I will forever be grateful to TFAS, its leadership, professors, fellow students and the TFAS alumni network.” – Eric Tanenblatt

Following the Alumni Award presentation, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, shared positive anecdotes about working with Senator Katie Boyd Britt of Alabama and presented her with TFAS’s 2024 Congressional Leadership Award.

In her acceptance remarks, Britt emphasized the vital role of mentorship and bipartisan collaboration in addressing youth mental health and social media challenges. She highlighted how TFAS has been instrumental in empowering young leaders to advance the principles of individual liberty and economic freedom.

“[TFAS] has inspired and empowered countless young people who are making an impact in our country,” Britt said.

[TFAS] has inspired and empowered countless young people who are making an impact in our country.” – U.S. Senator Katie Boyd Britt

Following Sen. Britt’s remarks, Ed Gillespie, senior executive vice president of external and legislative affairs at AT&T and the 2023 TFAS Business Leadership Award recipient, shared his experience working with Haley Barbour, founding partner of BGR Group and former Governor of Mississippi, and presented Barbour with the 2024 TFAS Business Leadership Award.

Gillespie highlighted the invaluable political lessons he learned from Governor Barbour, emphasizing the importance of focusing on substance over spin and emphasizing principles like individual freedom and personal responsibility.

In his acceptance remarks, Barbour expressed appreciation for TFAS and its commitment to preserving core American values. Barbour also stressed the importance of defending fundamental principles like freedom, personal responsibility and the rule of law.

“This organization has much to be proud of, and there are many people here who have benefited from its programs and its generosity,” Barbour said. “And of course, many of you, and even more who are not here tonight, have been the sources of that great generosity.”

Building on his emphasis on core values, Barbour highlighted the critical need to protect America’s foundational principles.

“Our liberty, freedom, and indeed governance of the greatest country in the history of the world, the United States of America, must be defended and not just from military attack, but from rot within,” Barbour said.

Our liberty, freedom, and indeed governance of the greatest country in the history of the world, the United States of America, must be defended and not just from military attack, but from rot within.” – Haley Barbour 

TFAS is grateful to the many sponsors of the 34th Annual Scholarship Dinner and looks forward to recognizing more courageous leaders and supporting the up-and-coming generation of business and government leaders next year.

Watch the 2024 TFAS Scholarship Awards Dinner below.