Wabash College graduate Christian Gray ’25 was named the 2026-27 recipient of the Rotary All-Indiana Global Grant Scholarship.
A native of Indianapolis, Gray earned the $40,000 scholarship from Indiana Rotary Districts 6540, 6560, and 6580 to pursue graduate study internationally. He will pursue a master’s degree in international development studies from the University of Amsterdam.
The Rotary scholarship supports dedicated graduates in pursuing a career in an area of great humanitarian need. Further, recipients must demonstrate a long-term commitment to measurable and sustainable change. When applying, a plan of study and career commitment must be presented that aligns with one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus.
“To earn this award literally means the world,” said Gray, a psychology major and Asian studies minor. “As is true of most people, the financial burden of studying and living overseas would have been far too great without this scholarship. Now, the floodgates to an entire globe of ideas, perspectives, and solutions have been opened. I am eager to see the connections that Rotary and my study program will yield and predict that my outlook on humanitarian work will shift and grow through my experiences.
In addition to standard coursework, this course of study includes a research internship, through which Gray intends to explore the impact of collective action initiatives on the success outcomes of community members. During his time in Amsterdam, Rotary will connect him with a host club to help build relationships in the local community, facilitate cultural exchange, and strengthen Rotary's international network.
Since graduation, he has been involved in his community, currently serving as a youth leader at the Martin Luther King Center in Indianapolis. Gray works primarily with middle school students, assisting in programming to increase literacy. He also volunteers at Southeast Community Center’s food pantry, helping to provide food for up to 300 families.
After completing his one-year master’s program in Amsterdam, Gray plans to work for a non-profit organization in the Netherlands that focuses on community self-empowerment, developing and assisting programs of basic literacy, and financial independence.
“I have always had my eyes on the international level,” said Gray. “I love being a student, so I knew continuing my
studies abroad was a great option and found myself increasingly drawn to humanitarian work. When I learned that there was a Rotary scholarship that supported students wanting to explore the humanitarian sector outside of the United States, it seemed like the perfect storm.”
While at Wabash, Gray was a member of the Malcolm X Institute of Black Studies. He servied in a variety of positions, rising to vice-chair, sharpening skills of organization, advocacy, and leadership.
Rotary International is a global network of community volunteers and leaders dedicated to building goodwill, understanding, and peace.
“Since graduating, Christian has engaged in both significant, fruitful community service work and in deep reflection about his future intentions,” said Susan Albrecht, Wabash College Fellowship Advisor. “It was clear that the Rotary Global Grant offered a wonderful potential pathway for achieving his vision. I knew he would make a strong candidate and am so pleased that the Rotary selection team recognized Christian’s vast potential. He will make the most of his two years in the Netherlands.”
Gray joins the list of Wabash men who have earned highly competitive fellowships since 2014, including the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Obama Voyager, Yenching, Goldwater, and Point Foundation Flagship Scholarships. Additionally, Wabash students have earned the Center for the Study of Presidency and Congress’ Presidential Fellowship, U.K. Fulbright Summer Institute placement, Critical Language Scholarship, and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, to go with 34 Fulbrights and 34 Gilman Scholarships.