A speaker arrives late to the Jack Morton Auditorium stage, having been held up by his vote in Congress. Students share the Charles E. Smith Center bleachers with a sitting United States president during a buzzer-beater basketball game. A prominent Watergate historian gives a lecture to a packed house, which includes a senior Watergate prosecutor and Nixon’s speechwriter, who is now a GW faculty member.
These “only-at-GW” moments—and making more of these special student memories—motivated longtime supporters Ted Segal, B.A. '03, and his wife, Meredith Perla Segal, B.Accy. '05, to make their latest gift. The couple supports many GW priorities, including The Store, GW’s food pantry, with generous philanthropy through their family foundation. Ted was elected to GW’s Board of Trustees in 2025, transitioning from his prior leadership on the National Council for Media and Public Affairs. This is the Segals’ first gift to GW Athletics.
“Trustee giving is a public vote of confidence in GW and a partnership that helps propel our strategic vision,” GW President Ellen M. Granberg said. “The Segals’ most recent support advances two important goals in our strategic framework: strengthening the student experience through athletics and creating a welcoming environment where thoughtful, respectful dialogue can thrive. Together, these efforts build a more connected, vibrant community defined by excellence, engagement, and the open exchange of ideas.”
Half of the Segals’ new $3 million gift extends their previous support that endowed the Sesno Series in 2022 in honor of Emmy Award-winning journalist Frank Sesno, a School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) professor and former director of the school. Sesno, the current moderator, is also founding director of GW’s Alliance for a Sustainable Future and a 2023 recipient of the President’s Medal.
"We are living in a time where there are fewer and fewer places where these discussions between people of opposing viewpoints occur in a respectful way and where there is appropriate time devoted to deeper exploration of a subject,” Ted Segal said. “Of course, there is no better place to gather newsmakers and thought leaders than in the heart of our nation’s capital. And there is no better person to lead these conversations than GW’s own Frank Sesno, a journalist whose extraordinary five-decade career has put him at the center of countless historic events and at the forefront in dialogue with the people shaping history. I’m proud to honor Frank’s career and impact with this namesake series.”
The series brings influential newsmakers and thought leaders to campus to discuss current challenges in democracy, culture and media. The goal is to bridge political and cultural divides with respectful, fact-based dialogue and teach the value of civil discourse. Prominent past Sesno Series guests include Emeritus Trustee and Monumental Alumnus Senator Mark Warner, B.A.’77, HON ’03, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, and Senator Cory Booker, HON ’16.
Paul Wahlbeck, dean of the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, noted that the entire GW community benefits from the impactful series as the events “elevate SMPA to new heights.”
“Ted and Meredith’s generosity ensures that GW maintains this critical training ground for civil discourse—grounded in empathy, respect and global awareness—for the leaders of tomorrow and exposure to how to navigate polarized times,” Wahlbeck added.
The Segals’ gift will also fuel competitive excellence in both women's and men's basketball at GW. Sports, for Ted, are a lifelong passion with a unique power to unify communities. Segal is the founder and president of EJS Group, a real estate development and financing company, and also owns the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash soccer teams.
President Bill Clinton visited the GW men's locker room after an exciting upset win over then No. 1-ranked Massachusetts in February 1995.
President Barack Obama also visited the Smith Center for a men's basketball game against Oregon State in November 2009.
“As an avid sports fan, I don't know if I would have considered GW as a destination if its basketball teams didn't have the success they did in the 1990s,” Segal said. “Basketball created a school spirit during my time on campus, and I know that is a common theme across generations of GW students.”
“Coach Caputo and Coach G [Ganiyat Adeduntan] are laying the groundwork for great things for each of their programs, and we are already seeing the dividends on the court. We believe with continued improvement and sustained success, the programs will galvanize the university community and make GW even more of a destination for prospective students,” Segal said.
GW graduates across the country echo this sentiment. According to Granberg, “Wherever I encounter alumni, they regularly share fond memories of the camaraderie and school spirit ignited by GW’s basketball teams, especially in the years the teams were nationally ranked.”
Iconic moments in GW basketball history include sitting presidents Bill Clinton (February 1995) and Barack Obama (November 2009) attending games in person. Clinton watched the men's team’s victorious upset over the No. 1-ranked University of Massachusetts and joined a postgame celebration with players.
“Ted and Meredith Segal’s leadership gift is an investment not only in the competitive excellence of GW Basketball but in the power of athletics to strengthen school spirit, engage alumni and elevate the GW brand on the national stage,” GW associate vice president and athletic director Michael Lipitz said. “We are profoundly grateful for their continued commitment to GW and this support of our basketball student-athletes.”
GW offers the opportunity to make online donations for those interested in supporting the Sesno Series and men’s or women’s basketball programs.
