![GFS Athletics Celebrates 15 College-Bound Scholar-Athletes from the Class of 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1746546437/germantown/qlx8k5xiumobsdopwnc9/IMG_7541.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1746546437/germantown/qlx8k5xiumobsdopwnc9/IMG_7541.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1746546437/germantown/qlx8k5xiumobsdopwnc9/IMG_7541.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1746546437/germantown/qlx8k5xiumobsdopwnc9/IMG_7541.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1746546437/germantown/qlx8k5xiumobsdopwnc9/IMG_7541.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1746546437/germantown/qlx8k5xiumobsdopwnc9/IMG_7541.jpg","width":2200}])
Germantown Friends School proudly celebrated 15 student-athletes from the Class of 2025 who will go on to compete at the collegiate level.
Alumni News
![students in dining hall]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744377753/germantown/fmxbdcgiwiyy7kepxtnk/Copyof2024_10_29_DigGFS18_A.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744377753/germantown/fmxbdcgiwiyy7kepxtnk/Copyof2024_10_29_DigGFS18_A.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744377753/germantown/fmxbdcgiwiyy7kepxtnk/Copyof2024_10_29_DigGFS18_A.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744377753/germantown/fmxbdcgiwiyy7kepxtnk/Copyof2024_10_29_DigGFS18_A.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744377753/germantown/fmxbdcgiwiyy7kepxtnk/Copyof2024_10_29_DigGFS18_A.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1744377753/germantown/fmxbdcgiwiyy7kepxtnk/Copyof2024_10_29_DigGFS18_A.jpg","width":2200}])
Germantown Friends School has surpassed its $40 million target for Picture This—the school’s largest ever campaign. With 15 months remaining until the campaign’s close on June 30, 2026, the focus is now on reaching outstanding campaign goals: closing the funding gap on the All School Commons, growing the financial aid endowment, and raising an additional $1 million for community engagement.
![2025 West Alumni Award Recipient: Jo Walker ’55]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744202194/germantown/twstmxfh6j6cigmhc2ti/JoWalker55atFoulkeways.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744202194/germantown/twstmxfh6j6cigmhc2ti/JoWalker55atFoulkeways.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744202194/germantown/twstmxfh6j6cigmhc2ti/JoWalker55atFoulkeways.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744202194/germantown/twstmxfh6j6cigmhc2ti/JoWalker55atFoulkeways.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1744202194/germantown/twstmxfh6j6cigmhc2ti/JoWalker55atFoulkeways.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1744202194/germantown/twstmxfh6j6cigmhc2ti/JoWalker55atFoulkeways.jpg","width":2200}])
The 2025 West Alumni Award will be presented to Jo Walker ’55 on Saturday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m. in the Meetinghouse, followed by Meeting for Worship.
![The Past is Present, Part 2]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743000685/germantown/rarbh9elqox48q1t1eao/FacShow-Fiorello.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743000685/germantown/rarbh9elqox48q1t1eao/FacShow-Fiorello.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1743000685/germantown/rarbh9elqox48q1t1eao/FacShow-Fiorello.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1743000685/germantown/rarbh9elqox48q1t1eao/FacShow-Fiorello.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743000685/germantown/rarbh9elqox48q1t1eao/FacShow-Fiorello.jpg","width":1250}])
We worked alongside GFS Archivist Tim Wood to share some color commentary about a handful of teachers from the school’s distant and recent past.
![The Past is Present, Part I]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743000963/germantown/voappfsjk7cxwbdk8xzo/Countryman121_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1743000963/germantown/voappfsjk7cxwbdk8xzo/Countryman121_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1743000963/germantown/voappfsjk7cxwbdk8xzo/Countryman121_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1743000963/germantown/voappfsjk7cxwbdk8xzo/Countryman121_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743000963/germantown/voappfsjk7cxwbdk8xzo/Countryman121_1.jpg","width":1250}])
Faculty from across the school’s history who have made an indelible mark.
![Alumni of Color Spotlight: Versha Pleasant '00, MD, MPH]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1739483085/germantown/l9smxnhu4ngk49sw1jpq/Vershacrop.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1739483085/germantown/l9smxnhu4ngk49sw1jpq/Vershacrop.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1739483085/germantown/l9smxnhu4ngk49sw1jpq/Vershacrop.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1739483085/germantown/l9smxnhu4ngk49sw1jpq/Vershacrop.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1739483085/germantown/l9smxnhu4ngk49sw1jpq/Vershacrop.jpg","width":1250}])
We chat with Versha Pleasant '00, MD, MPH about her career and how she weaves together storytelling, medicine, and advocacy.
![Personal Breakthroughs]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740759946/germantown/xrxkl5x2xywqmpomd4la/D83A9104.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740759946/germantown/xrxkl5x2xywqmpomd4la/D83A9104.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740759946/germantown/xrxkl5x2xywqmpomd4la/D83A9104.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740759946/germantown/xrxkl5x2xywqmpomd4la/D83A9104.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740759946/germantown/xrxkl5x2xywqmpomd4la/D83A9104.jpg","width":1290}])
For GFS faculty, Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia isn’t just for the students: it’s transformed them, too.
![Kristen Welker '94 of NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’ Visited GFS’ Campus for the Christopher Allen '09 Lecture]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1740691681/germantown/ccya13vxkpjgdp3ao3nn/KristenWelkerfeature.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1740691681/germantown/ccya13vxkpjgdp3ao3nn/KristenWelkerfeature.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1740691681/germantown/ccya13vxkpjgdp3ao3nn/KristenWelkerfeature.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1740691681/germantown/ccya13vxkpjgdp3ao3nn/KristenWelkerfeature.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1740691681/germantown/ccya13vxkpjgdp3ao3nn/KristenWelkerfeature.jpg","width":1250}])
GFS was honored to welcome Kristen Welker ‘94, distinguished journalist and moderator of NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” as the speaker at this year’s Christopher Allen ’09 Lecture. The lecture was presented as a conversation between Welker and her longtime mentor, Chris Blackman.
![GFS Grads Return to Campus for J-Term Young Alumni Shadow Day]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1737486863/germantown/kd1qvgmpffxad9evctik/shadowday2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1737486863/germantown/kd1qvgmpffxad9evctik/shadowday2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1737486863/germantown/kd1qvgmpffxad9evctik/shadowday2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1737486863/germantown/kd1qvgmpffxad9evctik/shadowday2.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1737486863/germantown/kd1qvgmpffxad9evctik/shadowday2.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1737486863/germantown/kd1qvgmpffxad9evctik/shadowday2.jpg","width":1920}])
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, a group of young alumni spent the day at GFS attending January Term courses, taking tours, and reconnecting with friends and faculty as part of the school's first-ever Young Alumni J-Term Shadow Day.