2024: Looking Forward to a Banner Year

2024 promises to be an exciting and rewarding year for the Marshall Center community!

Our dedicated team is already hard at work preparing enriching, fun-filled events and educational opportunities to inspire the leaders of today and tomorrow to live out General Marshall’s enduring and timely example of ethical leadership in action.

Cultivating Future Leaders: We look forward to hosting the first Ethical Leadership Conference of 2024 on Feb 9-10 (winter session) followed by a spring session on May 10-11.

Award Gala: Mark your calendars for our 3rd Annual George C. Marshall Award Gala at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA. Gala on Friday, April 12 (details to follow – including the announcement of our 2024 Marshall Award recipient).

Event Series: Through our series of in-person and virtual events inspired by Marshall’s intellect and record of service – including our Off Duty speaker events hosted on the grounds of Dodona Manor and the Zoom-enabled monthly Book Club and Foreign Policy Forum events – we look forward to engaging participants in timely issues ranging from the “Age of AI” to protecting democracy through engaged citizenship. Visit our events page to learn more and register for upcoming events.

Sharing the Marshall story: We look forward to sharing the life and example of George C. Marshall with the thousands of visitors who tour Dodona Manor (Reminder: Dodona tours will resume on March 1).

Feb 9-10 Ethical Leadership Conference for High School Juniors and Seniors

Future Leaders Apply Today for our Winter Session

Motivated high school students are invited to apply for the winter session (Feb 9 & 10, 2024) of Five-Star Character: The George C. Marshall Ethical Leadership Conference for high school juniors and seniors. This free program provides students the opportunity to shape their approach to leadership and decision-making drawing on the life of one of the most remarkable and influential leaders in American history.

Participants are also eligible for $1,000 post-secondary education scholarship opportunities. Visit or share this link to learn more and register today.

January 18 Foreign Policy Forum: “Leadership Lessons from Capitol Hill”

Featuring Wendell Primus, Former Senior Advisor to Speaker Pelosi

Join us Thursday, January 18 from Noon-1 p.m. ET for a Zoom discussion with Wendell Primus, who was the Senior Policy Advisor on Health and Budget issues to former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for 18 years. In that capacity, he was the lead House staffer in developing the Affordable Care Act. He also played a major role in Medicare reform legislation in 2015 and various budget agreements.



Dr. Primus previously served as Minority Staff Director at the Joint Economic Committee. He also was Director of Income Security at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, where much of his work was centered on Unemployment Insurance. He served in the Clinton Administration at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Primus earned his Ph.D. in economics from Iowa State University.

Special Event on January 20: “Incident at Griffin’s Wharf: The Boston Tea Party and Beyond”

The Marshall Center is hosting a presentation by local historians Tracy and Rich Gillespie on Saturday, January 20 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET at Dodona Manor on the December 16, 1773, Boston Tea Party and the actions that led to it, similar incidents in other colonies and how Loudoun County residents responded.

The five teas thrown overboard at Griffin’s Wharf will be served, with commentary about each tea’s distinct qualities and the role of tea in Colonial America, when coffee ran a distant second in hot beverage of choice!

Seating is limited, and there is a small cost to support the historians’ visit.

TIME(s) Change: Taylor Swift Chasing General Marshall?

You’ve probably heard by now that Taylor Swift was named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2023. But did you know that General Marshall received TIME’s annual honor twice?

In 1943 (“He Armed the Republic”), TIME recognized Marshall for his leadership in organizing U.S. actions in World War II as U.S. Army Chief of Staff. In 1947 (“Help for Those who Needed It”) he was heralded for spearheading the European Recovery Plan that bore his name (the Marshall Plan) as Secretary of State.

Although Marshall was averse to the spotlight, his historic role in defending freedom and advancing democracy demanded recognition and respect.

One big difference between Swift and Marshall: while she is partial to cats, General Marshall had several pet dogs. 

Last Chance to Contribute through Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

Solicitation Period Ends January 15, 2024

Federal employees and retirees have until January 15 to make recurring or one-time donations to the George C. Marshall International Center via the CFC’s online giving system by entering our CFC number, 51415.

We hope you will join us in spreading the word and encouraging your friends and colleagues in the federal workforce community to support the Marshall Center through the CFC.

Whether you plan to support the Marshall Center or another worthy cause close to your heart, your generosity is appreciated!