Wharton Club Of DC

53rd Annual Gala Joseph Wharton Award Dinner Honors Leading Wharton & Penn Alums, Celebrates Club's 58th Anniversary!

• Celandra Deane-Bess W'97, CFP®, CEPA®, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Private Bank

• Jeffrey Gordon WG'96, CFP, CEPA, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Private Bank
  
  
• Dr. Stephen Ruth, WPhD'71, Professor Emeritus, Schar School, George Mason University

• 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.

• 8:30-9:30 pm: Program:  

• Brief Report: State of the Club
• Presentation of Joseph Wharton Awards to all Honorees

(To learn more about our outstanding Honorees - CLICK HERE. to be added soon!):

• 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, including more favorably located tables, depending on the category you choose, to increase your exposure to and contact with the high caliber audience we attract.  And we have options for you whether you can attend or not.
  • Attire: Business attire (jackets, dress trousers, collared shirt (tucked-in) or turtleneck for gentlemen and comparable attire for ladies) is the minimum expected at all times throughout the Clubhouse except as listed below. Neckties are required in the Main Dining Room for Dinner, including our Gala.
  • 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 on the first floor of the Army and Navy Club. They will network, pay homage to the Class of 2026 Honorees, and enjoy gourmet menu selections, great wines and delicious desserts.
• The Army-Navy Club in DC has received rave reviews from members and guests, including the Oxford University Alumni at their recent annual dinner. 
• Parking: There are a limited number of Valets and space in the drive way, so members and guests arriving when there is a significant backlog are encouraged to find own parking at the nearby garages. Private events scheduled earlier than 6:00 pm may not be provided Valet service. Guests may be directed to self-park in the neighboring garage.

  Click here to reserve your place(s) 

Click here to reserve your place(s) (or make your donations)!!! (Earlier signups and premium seats (500+ up) get better seating. +Premium seats get private VIP Reception)

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 will probably 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 in response to questions when you register.
• 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: Valet parking is available (included only for each Honoree and VIP Sponsors @ 1,000+ per reservation)

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. You may also fax your reservation to the Club at 866-283-0900. No refunds after October 1, 2023. 

Tax deductibility: To the extent permitted by law (please check with your tax advisor):
--Business: Full amount may be deductible as a business expense; consult your tax advisor
--Individual: Full amount of extra contributions (to support the Club's programming) plus the amount in excess of $150 per person for the dinner (for anyone who attends the dinner) as a charitable contribution (as the Club is a Section 501(c)(3)) nonprofit organization). (Full amount may be deductible as a charitable contribution if you do not attend, although we hope you can join us. For best seating, reserve early, whichever method you choose for reservations - online, mail, fax, or phone.)

--In view of substantial expenses incurred in producing this high caliber dinner, all reservations are final, as we hope you can understand. Those who are unable to attend should be able to get full tax deduction, in view of lack of meal or other benefit received.

  Click here to reserve your place(s) (or make your donations)!!! (Earlier signups get better seating)

    Thank you for your support!