MSU Political Science major Stella Weiss has been awarded the 2026 Gerber Scholarship.

May 14, 2026 - Karessa Weir

The Burton L. and Rosalie P. Gerber Scholarship was established to provide assistance to a student who has shown through academic excellence and diverse activities that they have a commitment to public service, with a goal of joining one of the foreign affairs or national intelligence agencies of the United States.  

Weiss is an Army ROTC cadet and a Political Science Pre-Law major. Last year, she received the Jack Katosh Political Science ROTC Award.  She plans to attend law school and become a Judge Advocate General. 

“As a political science pre-law student in the Honors College, I have worked hard to challenge myself academically and develop the skills necessary for a career in law,” Weiss wrote. “Professionally, I plan to commission into the U.S. Army National Guard as a Second Lieutenant and serve as an Adjutant General Officer. While serving as an officer, I intend to attend law school and ultimately pursue a career as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer after graduating from law school in 2030.” 

The goal of her career is to help others, she said.  
 
“I want to become a lawyer to advocate for those who may not always have a voice and to make sure that justice is accessible to everyone. I am motivated by the opportunity to challenge myself through rigorous training and education, both in the military and in the legal profession. Through these experiences, I hope to grow into a resilient and empathetic leader who can support my community and country,” Weiss wrote. 

Weiss earned the award with both her academic performance as well as her extracurricular activities, said Undergraduate Program Director Dr. Andrew Kerner.  

“Stella is an extraordinary student in the classroom who also exemplifies the kind of curiosity and initiative we love to see in our best students outside the classroom. At MSU, Stella participated in our study abroad program in the UK and in our ROTC program.  Outside of MSU, she has been an advocate for women through the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, helping them with professional development and offering general guidance,” Kerner said. 
 
“She is already looking beyond MSU to law school and a career as a JAG lawyer, where she hopes to advocate for those in the service who may not always have a voice.”