Washington, D.C. – The Rumsfeld Foundation hosted its 13th Annual Graduate Fellowship Network Conference in Washington, D.C. on September 18th–19th, 2025. As the flagship event of the Foundation’s Fellowship Program, the conference brought together network members from across the country, including current 2025 Graduate Fellows, program alumni and Advisers.
This year’s conference also marked the beginning of the Fellowship Program’s 17th academic year supporting scholars pursuing graduate degrees at leading higher education institutions across the United States.
Beginning on Thursday evening, the conference opened with a Welcoming Reception at the home of Foundation Board President Torie Clarke. Fellowship Network attendees were joined by several former colleagues who had worked alongside the Foundation’s Board members during their time with Secretary Rumsfeld at the Department of Defense.
Formal sessions began Friday morning at The Army and Navy Club. Torie Clarke and Sarah Tonucci, Executive Director of the Rumsfeld Foundation, offered welcoming remarks and thanked participants for their continued engagement in the Fellowship Network.
The morning’s keynote address was delivered by General (Ret.) Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and President Emeritus of Kansas State University. General Myers shared his thoughts on the key pillars of strategic leadership and encouraged attendees in their pursuits of public service.
Following keynote remarks, attendees split into collaborative roundtable discussions, exploring topics such as emerging defense technologies, lessons from history and the intersection of culture and politics, and the future of U.S. deterrence strategy.
After lunch, attendees received a briefing from a member of the Alumni Leadership Council on recent program updates and ongoing opportunities for network involvement.
The afternoon continued with a panel discussion, Reflecting on Rumsfeld’s Rules, featuring Foundation Board members Torie Clarke, Dr. Steve Cambone, and Lawrence Di Rita. Drawing on their experiences working closely with Secretary Rumsfeld, panelists shared leadership insights and reflections from their own journeys in public service and beyond.
The daytime’s sessions concluded with “Table Talks,” small group discussions on a range of timely topics, including strategic deterrence, the U.S. industrial workforce, reform in higher education, and navigating careers across the public and private sectors.
On Friday evening, attendees gathered for the Closing Dinner, which featured the presentation of the 2025 Alumna of the Year Award honoring Theresa Campobasso for her distinguished service to national security and her continued contributions to the Fellowship Network. The award ceremony included a video message from Theresa’s nominator and a special tribute from Carrie Wibben Kaupp, President of Exiger, who offered heartfelt remarks recognizing Theresa’s exceptional impact.
In her acceptance remarks, Theresa shared how important the relationships she has made in the network have been for her both personally and professionally, and how the network serves as a continued source of inspiration in her public service journey.
The conference officially concluded at the close of dinner with participants leaving energized and looking forward to the network’s future development.
Through its Graduate Fellowship Program, the Rumsfeld Foundation has awarded more than $4.2 million in grants to over 220 graduate scholars dedicated to public service and hosted over 75 events for the Fellowship Network since 2008.
###
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sarah C. Tonucci
Executive Director, Rumsfeld Foundation
Tel: (202) 944-1304
E-mail: sarah@rumsfeldfoundation.org