53rd Annual Gala Joseph Wharton Award Dinner Honors Leading Wharton & Penn Alums, Celebrates Club's 58th Anniversary!
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Celandra Deane-Bess W'97, CFP®, CEPA®, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Private Bank
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Hon. Edward C. Forst WG'88, Administrator, U.S. General Services Administration
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Jeffrey Gordon WG'96, Co-Founder & Partner, SGK Wealth Advisors
- Dr. Stephen Ruth, WPhD'71, Professor Emeritus, Schar School, George Mason University
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Mika K. Standard, WVC'21, CFRE, Senior Director of Development, Children's Hospital National Foundation
Click here to reserve your place(s)
Click HERE to learn more about the exceptional honorees in our "Wharton Award Class of 2026 (coming soon)!
Schedule:
• 5:45-6:30 pm: VIP Reception for Honorees with past Award Recipients, Lifetime Members, Table Purchasers, and Everyone in Sustainer, Benefactor, Supporter & Friend Categories
• 6:30-7:30 pm: Reception for All Attendees
• 7:30-8:30 pm: Welcome, followed by dinner with the outstanding cuisine of the popular Army and Navy Club, one of Washington's premier fine dining private clubs. Here's the menu:
You are invited to join us for this terrific meal:
Starter
★ Thai Curry Butternut Squash Soup
Salad
★ Army Navy Signature Salad: Field Greens, Tomato, Candied Pecans, Mandarin Oranges, Blue Cheese Crumbles, Rice Wine Vinaigrette
Entrée Options (choice of one)
Pan-Seared Snapper: Jambalaya Rice, Asparagus, Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc
★ Chicken Napoleon: Layers of Pan-Seared Chicken, Portabella Mushrooms, Asparagus, Grilled Tomato, Champagne Risotto Brandy Cream
★ Vegan
Dessert
★ Chocolate Sacher Torte: Milk Chocolate Mousse Infused with Raspberry, Mixed Berry Compote, Raspberry Pâte de Fruits
Beverages
★ Regular & Decaffeinated Coffee and Teas
Wines with Dinner
★ La Crema Chardonnay, California
★ Silver Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, California
• 8:30-9:30 pm: Program:
- Brief Report: State of the Club
- Presentation of Joseph Wharton Awards to all Honorees
Here's a one-minute video that highlights benefits you'll get by attending: CLICK HERE to view video!
- Register now for what is one of the most popular events in the Club's calendar, and one of the DC Area's top business events as well. We have held more of these dinners, and honored more exceptional alums at them, than any other Wharton Cluib.
- This year, especially with our Club's 58th Anniversary, the 53rd Annual Joseph Wharton Awards Gala Dinner promises to be no exception with our exceptional, highly accomplished Honorees. We are expecting many of the past Honorees to attend and bring their colleagues and friends.
- Anywhere from 125 or more Club members and guests, including prominent Washingtonians and diplomats typically attend for the reception and dinner. With this year's honorees, we expect that this year will be at the upper end of that range and sell out, as we expect tickets to sell quickly.
Click here to reserve your place(s) (Thank you!)
- If you have any questions not answered on this webpage or have any trouble registering online, please call our Club at 301-365-8999. Vegetarian, Kosher and Gluten-free dinner options can be noted in your online registration.
- We are at a top venue for this event, The Army and Navy Club in DC. Besides honoring outstanding alumni while giving Members an opportunity to get together, the dinner generates funds to support our Club's exceptional programming - the most extensive of any B-School Club in our region - and attendance at some of our major events, such as our Summit and the Dinner.
- Special guests / Dignitaries: We are expecting as honored guests dignitaries, such some of the Ambassadors and other diplomats who have hosted our Club in recent years or with whom we are working now for a future exclusive event, at our reception and dinner.
- Tables: Rounds of 10.
- Sponsorship and program advertising opportunities: Please call us directly if your company would like to consider becoming a sponsor with one or more tables. You will have a listing in the program and many other potential benefits.
- To learn more: Just call Alan Schlaifer, our Club's President, at 301-365-8999, to discuss the benefits and options.
- About the Army and Navy Club in DC:
- CLASSIC CUISINE WITH FLARE: A CULINARY EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER The Club’s renowned Executive Chef and dedicated staff promise to deliver an exceptional dining experience. With the Club’s prime location, it is the ideal setting to relax and enjoy the Club’s top-notch service and exquisite fare.
- This is from one of many positive reviews:
- Excellent Food and Service. Beautifully appointed room with an original Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington and other fascinating paintings and artwork.
- The Joseph Wharton Awards Gala will be held in the prestigious, historic Main Dining Room at the Army and Navy Club:
- Stunning, elegant and regal, the Main Dining Room has soaring ceilings, beautiful murals and picturesque park views. Honorees, Wharton Club of DC Members, and guests will gather in this historic space to network, pay homage to the Class of 2026 Honorees, and enjoy gourmet menu selections, great wines and delicious desserts.
- Parking: There are a limited number of Valets and space in the driveway, so members and guests arriving when there is a significant backlog are encouraged to find own parking at the nearby garages.
- Metro: A great choice, given the Club's location just one block from Farragut North and Farragut West
Click here to reserve your place(s)
Please note any non-standard dietary preference on your online registration or your mailed in RSVP card.
- The menu will be posted soon, with three or four delicious courses (the main course may feature two dishes, plus wine and coffee/tea):
- We offer vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, non-seafood, non-dairy and gluten-free options available to meet your needs and preferences.
- Please indicate your preferences in responses to questions when you register. The basic choices for entrée will be three: Chicken, Fish, Vegan.
- Important: When you register, please respond to the survey questions so that we can respond to your dietary preferences and other needs. This must be done in advance, so that we can serve your own and your guests' dietary needs. Thank you.
- Click here to reserve your place(s)
Directions: see the map below
Metro: Farragut Square (Red Line); Farragut West (Blue, Orange, Silver Lines)
Parking: Very limited valet parking is available. Many garages are nearby.
Questions: Please call us at 301-365-8999. The best way to reserve is online by clicking below through our secure website; you may then print out your receipt.
Tax deductibility: To the extent permitted by law (please check with your tax advisor):
--Business or Individual: Full amount may be deductible as a business expense; consult your tax advisor
--In view of substantial expenses incurred in producing this high caliber dinner, all reservations are final, as we hope you can understand. You can substitute someone else, if you can't attend, and you give us notice in advance. .
- By registering for this event, I give permission for the DC Wharton Club to use any photographs or videos of me taken at the event on its website, social media or in promotional materials without compensation. I understand that the Wharton Club of DC or its members own the copyrights to all photographs and video taken at the event.
Click here to reserve your place(s) (Earlier signups get better seating)
Event Details:
Day & Date: Monday, June 1, 2026
Place: Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Parking: Valet parking (additional and limited). Many nearby garages.
Metro: Farragut North; Farragut West
Attire: Business Attire (including neckties for men)
Click here to reserve your place(s)
BONUS: If you sign up for the VIP tickets (600/person and above), you can attend the Private VIP Reception (and be listed in the program, if you'd like), in recognition of your added support for the Club's programming, which is greatly appreciated.