Ganz Scholarship

The George Washington University English Department is pleased to announce a scholarship to celebrate the legacy of Robert Ganz, Jr. A poetry scholar and professor emeritus with the GW English Department, Robert Ganz passed away in 2023 at age 97.

Black and white photos of Bob Ganz teaching as pictured in the GW Cherry Tree yearbook in 1969 — Archival photos of Bob Ganz teaching, as pictured in the GW Cherry Tree yearbook in 1969

Holly H. Ganz, Robert N. Ganz III and Claire M. Ganz (all of whom graduated from the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences), along with their sister Jennie Ganz, have chosen to honor their father through the establishment of The Bob Ganz Jr. Scholarship Fund. As an endowed fund, this scholarship will provide need-based support in perpetuity for undergraduate students majoring in English at GW.

A scholar of modernism and expert on Robert Frost, Professor Ganz taught at GW from 1964 to 2011. His long career serves as a testament to his passion for igniting students’ intellectual curiosity about American poetry and great works of literature. During his time in the English Department, he advised the Literary Society, guided the department through English major curriculum development and taught more than 750 classes.

Before his life as a scholar, Ganz volunteered to fight in World War II. He served as a rifleman with the 10th Mountain Division and was decorated with the Bronze Star, two Battle Stars and the Purple Heart. Upon his return to civilian life, he completed all of his educational training at Harvard University and devoted his life to researching and teaching literary studies.