Sam Pressler (’15), Founder of Armed Services Arts Partnership, to be Government Department’s Spring 2019 Baxter/Ward Fellow
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While he was an undergraduate, Sam used proceeds from the Government Department’s McGlennon Scholarship to spearhead William & Mary’s first cohesive initiative to support veterans both on and off campus. He co-founded the William & Mary Center for Veterans Engagement, Student Veterans of William & Mary, and William & Mary Military and Veterans Working Group.These effort included a program to provide opportunities for military members and veterans to develop their artistic and performance talents. Most visibly, he created “Comedy Boot Camp”, which worked with those interested in stand-up comedy.
The Armed Services Arts Partnership has been supported and recognized by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation, The Ford Motor Company Fund, Barclays, Deloitte, Humana Military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and has received the Newman’s Own Award, among many others (www.asapasap.org) .
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Sam graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from the College of William & Mary in 2015, where he received degrees in Government and Finance, the Ewell Award, and the Government Department's McGlennon Scholarship.
Sam announced earlier this year that he would be leaving his position as Executive Director of ASAP, and he has been actively involved in the leadership transition.