The 75th annual U-M Congressional Breakfast raised over $147,000 for the Samuel L. Chappell Family Scholarship — the largest amount raised in the event’s seven-decade history — during a Feb. 25 gathering in Washington, D.C.
Nearly 350 alumni, students, faculty, staff and policymakers attended the event, which supports the U-M Alumni Club of Washington, D.C.’s need-based scholarship program that assists students from the Washington, D.C. area in attending U-M.
The annual breakfast serves as both a celebration of the U-M community and an opportunity to strengthen connections between the university and federal policymakers while highlighting U-M’s national impact through education, research and public service.
Participants heard remarks from President Domenico Grasso; Ayanna McConnell, president and CEO of the Alumni Association; and U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., who gave the keynote address.
In his remarks, Grasso reflected on the university’s trajectory and its future as he prepares to conclude his presidential service later this spring.
“I’m excited and optimistic about what comes next for Michigan. I feel very good about the university as I prepare to leave,” he said. “We often — and rightly — call ourselves the best public university in the country. Let’s think bigger. I want Michigan to aspire to be the best university in the world, working forever in the public interest.”
Grasso also emphasized U-M’s vision to serve as the defining public institution, redefining the power of higher education in service to humanity.
“Today, the University of Michigan is more committed than ever to providing an exceptional education for students, while improving our state, nation and world through discovery, innovation and service,” he said. “We want people to ‘Look to Michigan’ for extraordinary health care, robust economic development, artistic creativity, and talented graduates prepared to make a difference.”
McConnell highlighted the global reach and accomplishments of U-M alumni, as well as the current Michigan in Washington Program students in attendance. She also underscored how scholarship support from alumni directly expands access for students from the D.C. region.
The Samuel L. Chappell Family Scholarship, established in 1998, has helped generations of students pursue a U-M education, reflecting the alumni community’s long-standing commitment to expanding opportunity and advancing the university’s public impact.
In her keynote address, McClain highlighted the importance of U-M’s research enterprise in advancing innovation, strengthening the economy, and maintaining U.S. leadership in science and technology.
“This breakfast is about more than just a 75-year tradition; it’s about fueling the next breakthrough in medicine, the next advances in artificial intelligence, and the next generation of public servants and leaders in business, law and research,” she said.
In addition to congressional staff, numerous members of Congress attended the event, including Democratic Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin; and Reps. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor; Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids; and Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., were also among those in attendance.
The D.C. region is home to more than 21,000 U-M alumni, including over 3,600 Alumni Association members, whose engagement strengthens the university’s presence in the nation’s capital.
Beyond the breakfast, the club offers professional, cultural and service opportunities that bring alumni together throughout the year. Volunteers regularly welcome Michigan-based veterans participating in Honor Flight visits to Washington, D.C., and host community service initiatives, including an annual Thanksgiving meal for residents and families at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
Through scholarships, service and advocacy, alumni in Washington continue to advance the university’s public mission, ensuring that the impact of U-M extends far beyond campus.
Lynette Winegarner
This is a really nice event if you ever have the opportunity to attend.