Current fellows Markella Lanara, Grace Allread, Nina Balandina, and Jack Hatcher recently hosted another successful social event for graduate students, designed to strengthen community connections and support a greater sense of belonging. The Friendsgiving Potluck featured free Thanksgiving-style dishes from the Whole Foods hot bar and offered a warm, welcoming atmosphere for students to meet and mingle. With soft jazz playing in the background, approximately seventy graduate students gathered around shared tables and formed new friendships.
According to the post-event survey, 60% of attendees identified meeting new people and engaging with other students as their favorite aspect of the event, while the remaining 40% selected the food. The current fellows continue to demonstrate a strong understanding of graduate student needs by creating events that reflect what students value most.
This gathering marked the fourth event in the fellows’ GW Graduate Experience and Research Network Initiative, the proposal that earned them $11,500 in funding earlier this year. This Friendsgiving Potluck concludes the Fall 2025 programming, with more events planned for Spring 2026.