Photographed at the Celebration of Scholarship event: then-Interim President Denis O’Brien; Dorine Adechokan, finance ’25; Ahmad Curtis, second-year finance student; and Zuleyha Kumas, finance and business law ’25. Photo credit: Kelsey McKee.
Drexel awarded more than $15 million in scholarships to over 3,500 students in the 2023-2024 academic year — a transformative investment celebrated at the 2025 Celebration of Scholarship event. Held on April 10, the annual gathering brought together student recipients, donors, University leaders, and board members to honor student accomplishments made possible by the removal of financial barriers and burdens.
The evening spotlighted students whose lives have been shaped by generosity. “Receiving the LeRoy Brandt Scholarship has been life-changing for me,” says Zuleyha Kumas, a first-generation student who graduated in June 2025 with degrees in finance and business law. Kumas credits the financial assistance with helping her achieve her dreams of studying abroad in Rome — and, after graduation, preparing for a master’s degree in political science.
The LeRoy Brandt Scholarship is one of many scholarships at Drexel created by alumni. Established by Brandt’s family in memory of the 1941 alumnus — who was named to the University’s all-time great roster for men’s lacrosse — the scholarship supports first-generation students, just as Brandt once was.
“I am glad my extended family is able to carry on the memory of my uncle, Leroy Brandt.”
“The fund in his name targets students who are in the first generation of their families to receive a college degree. Their success at Drexel affirms the value of investing in the opportunity for students to start a tradition of higher education,” says Knoche.
Drexel and its donors have continued to sponsor college access in the 2024–2025 academic year, with another $12.7 million scholarships awarded to 2,823 students. DM
