The 2026 Scholarship Luncheon Celebrates Student Excellence
On March 27, 2026, Pratt’s annual Scholarship Luncheon was hosted in the verdant Atrium at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The beloved yearly tradition brings together donors, alumni, faculty, and students from Pratt’s wide-reaching and flourishing community to celebrate exceptional scholarship recipients and the essential generosity that supports their Pratt education.
Pratt President Frances Bronet welcomed guests with opening remarks recognizing the critical role scholarships play in unlocking access to creative education and preparing Pratt’s talented student body for the workforce and the world.
“These scholarships not only align with our overarching objective of increasing access and recognizing merit but also contribute significantly to the realization of a more inclusive and vibrant educational community at Pratt,” said President Bronet. “We continue to show that the value of a creative education goes beyond traditional measures. We are resourceful and collaborative problem solvers, global stewards, and compassionate community members who know how to respond to the rapidly changing needs of industry.”
President Bronet also highlighted Pratt’s recent recognition as the #5 Art & Design school in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Pratt has consistently ranked in the top 10 art and design universities every year since QS added the category to its rankings in 2015.
Approximately 85% of Pratt undergraduate students receive scholarships, which play a transformative role in their educational journeys. President Bronet expressed gratitude for Pratt’s donors, celebrating several new scholarships that are providing students with support in new and innovative ways: the Andy Cohen FAIA/Gensler Scholarship in Architecture Fund, which supports the enrollment of first-generation students in the Architecture program; the Terry Adkins Materials Award Fund, which provides vital stipends to second-year Fine Arts MFA students; the Bruce Hannah Curiosity Prize, which supports graduate industrial design students; the LMS Endowed Archive Fellowship Fund and LMS Endowed Fine Arts Scholarship, which supports both graduate students in the School of Information and undergraduate students in Fine Arts; and The Donna and Martin Rich ’63 Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides assistance to undergraduate architecture students with high academic merit.
The luncheon featured one donor speaker and one student speaker. Alumna, former professor, and donor Freya Block, MS Environmental Design ’77, spoke about her nontraditional path to Pratt and the many exciting pivots her life took on her way to opening her own, eponymous design firm. “Pivoting means choosing an opportunity that appeared rather than following a carefully planned path,” she said.
Block also spoke about how contributing to future generations of scholars can create lasting ripple effects. “I realized that helping students continue their education might be one of the most meaningful and gratifying contributions I could ever make. And it is!” she said.
She closed by reminding students that their careers may not unfold as they expect and that they may discover new dreams or encounter new challenges along the way. “You may encounter setbacks or failures that later reveal themselves as turning points or valuable insights,” she said. “When that happens, be open to the pivot!”
Danielle Gordon, MFA Interior Design ’26, has received prestigious scholarships for her extraordinary academic achievement and work ethic, including the Block Family Foundation Scholarship, the James W. Atkinson Memorial Fund, and the Harley M. Jones Endowed Scholarship. Gordon talked about training and performing as a professional dancer in New York City. When the Covid pandemic hit, she too decided to pivot. “I chose Pratt because it was the best. I knew it would be challenging, but I wanted to build a solid foundation for my next career,” she said.
Gordon spoke about how her scholarships have enabled her to dedicate herself full-time to her studies. She extended gratitude to Freya Block, not only for the generous scholarship support but also for her role as a mentor.
Looking to the future, Gordon hopes to pay this support forward. “Ultimately, my goal is to build a life where I get to support the next generation of great thinkers,” she said. “I’m honored to address this group of incredibly generous people and hope to find myself in your shoes in the future.”
President Bronet concluded the festive occasion with final remarks of gratitude for the speakers, scholarship donors, committed faculty and staff, and Pratt’s exceptional students. She also encouraged guests to join the community at any of Pratt’s exciting events this spring.
To learn more about how you too can support student scholarships at Pratt Institute, please visit: https://www.pratt.edu/pratt-giving/