CGSC Foundation announces 2026 scholarship program winners

The CGSC Foundation announces the winners of its 2026 competitive scholarship program.

“The CGSC Foundation has proudly served the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College for 20 years, and we’re honored to continue supporting alumni and their families through the scholarship program,” said CGSC Foundation President and CEO Lora Morgan. Congratulations to these students, and thank you to their parents and grandparents for being life members of our alumni association.”

Four scholarships were awarded to high school students preparing to enter college: Ian Morgado, a senior at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas, won the $5,000 Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship, the top award for high school students; Saedi Post, a senior at James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls, New York, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship; Mary Rohde, a senior at Catholic Central High School in Steubenville, Ohio, was awarded a $750 scholarship; and Andrew Doyle, a senior at Fort Campbell High School, in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was awarded a $500 scholarship.

Three scholarships were awarded to college students continuing their education: Andrew Rohde, a biochemistry student at Ohio State University, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship; Melanie Libby, a strategic communications student at the University of Missouri, was awarded a $750 scholarship; and Brian Williams, a computer engineering student at Pennsylvania State University, was awarded a $500 scholarship.

High School Recipients

Ian Morgado is a senior at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas, won the $5,000 Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship. He will graduate in May 2026 and plans on studying history through Yale University’s War and Society program, focusing on how war shapes societies and how society shapes war. Morgado desires to expand his understanding beyond the tactics and battles of military conflict, emphasizing how war transforms the lives of everyday individuals. History provides Morgado great personal fulfillment, whether he’s building and painting scale models, wargaming with friends, or reading any history book he can get his hands on. He’s also an avid NASCAR fan. Morgado’s alumni sponsor is his father, COL Andrew Morgado, Principal Assistant to the Dean at The Army University, and a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and 2006 graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies. He plans to use his $5,000 scholarship to help pay for room and board.

Saedi Post is a senior at James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls, New York. She will graduate in May 2026, and plans on studying mechanical engineering. Post has a passion for STEM, and has always been drawn to problem solving. She enjoys CrossFit, training nearly every day, and hopes to make it to the CrossFit Games someday. Post’s alumni sponsor is her father, COL Riley Post, Deputy Director of The Research and Analysis Center at Fort Leavenworth and graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. She plans on using her $1,000 scholarship to cover school-related expenses.

Mary Rohde is a senior at Catholic Central High School in Steubenville, Ohio. She will graduate in May 2026, and plans on studying nursing, as she enjoys helping people and wants to make an impact on the lives of her community. Rohde is a varsity athlete, secretary of her student council, and serves as a youth advocate for drug and alcohol prevention and mental health awareness. She is also a Patient Care Technician at a local hospital. Rohde’s alumni sponsor is her grandfather, COL (Ret.) Bruce David Brandes, CGSOC alumnus. She plans to use her $750 scholarship to help pay for books and laboratory fees.

Andrew Doyle is a senior at Fort Campbell High School in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He will graduate in May 2026, and plans on attending The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill to study finance, eventually earning a Masters of Business Administration in Finance. He has always had an interest in finance and excelled in math, and looks forward to combing those in a future career. Doyle’s alumni sponsor is his father, LTC Peter Doyle, a 2018 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He plans on using his $500 scholarship to help pay tuition.

College Recipients

Andrew Rohde attends Ohio State University, where he is studying biochemistry. He plans on attending medical school after earning his undergraduate degree. Andrew runs distance for the Ohio State University Cross Country & Track Team and is involved in the OSU Catholic Medical Association where he has the opportunity to serve patients at the Wexner Medical Center on a weekly basis. Rohde’s alumni sponsor is his grandfather, COL (Ret.) Bruce David Brandes, CGSOC alumnus. He plans to use his $1,000 scholarship to help pay for books and expenses.

Melanie Libby studies Strategic Communication at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, with a minor in Environmental Science and a certificate in multicultural studies. She is part of the Public Relations Student Society of America where she creates digital marketing campaigns for local non-profits. She also volunteers in her community, including the Central Missouri Humane Society. Libby’s alumni sponsor is her father, LTC (Ret.) Mark Libby, a 2008 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. She plans to use her $750 scholarship for books and room and board.

Brain Williams attends The Pennsylvania State University, where he studies Computer Engineering with a focus on cybersecurity and hardware security. His goal is to contribute to securing critical systems and infrastructure, and he is especially interested in national and global security. He also enjoys building and modifying cars, which allows him to explore hands-on mechanical and technical skills. Williams’ alumni sponsor is his father, MAJ Brandon Williams, a 2025 graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He plans to use his $500 scholarship on tuition, textbooks, and other academic expenses.

The top scholarship for high school applicants in the program is the Colonel Stephen E. “Brownie” Brown Scholarship named in honor of a U.S. Marine officer who retired from active duty in February 2009 and became an instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 2010. His network of lifelong friends approached the CGSC Foundation to establish the scholarship in Brown’s name to honor his lifetime of service and their friendship.

The CGSC Foundation welcomes donors who may not have eligible relatives but wish to support the scholarship program. Interested persons can support the scholarship program by visiting www.cgscfoundation.org/donate.

The CGSC Foundation will announce details about the 2027 scholarship program toward the end of 2026.