SANA ASKARI ’26 CREDITS McDANIEL’S ALUMNI WITH UPLIFTING FAMILIES AND GENERATIONS, STARTING WITH HER
Senior Sana Askari’s mother was not allowed to get an education, so each day at McDaniel, she is proud to honor her mother’s sacrifices by pursuing her own education. Askari grew up as a refugee from Afghanistan with few resources, and today, women in her home country lack access to education beyond sixth grade. Without being named a Dorsey Scholar, Askari may not have been able to change her family’s narrative.
Thanks to the financial and personal support of alumni and donors, Askari has found a true sense of belonging and started a new chapter for herself, her siblings, and women back home in Afghanistan. She shares her experiences — and the life-changing influence of McDaniel’s alumni network — in her own words.
HOW HAS PHILANTHROPY MADE YOUR McDANIEL EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE?
I grew up as a refugee with no resources, and today, women in my home country have no access to education beyond sixth grade. If it were not for the generosity of donors, I would not have been able to attend McDaniel and pursue my education. Having witnessed my mother struggle to raise her children as a refugee and seeing other refugee women suffer due to a lack of opportunities, I became determined to change my circumstances and create a path for my younger siblings to pursue education.
What I wish my peers and others better understood is that philanthropy, whether small or large, has the power to change lives. My life is living proof: this scholarship not only transformed my future but also opened doors for my younger sisters to pursue their education. The impact of philanthropy extends beyond individuals; it uplifts families and generations.
ASIDE FROM YOUR MENTORING RELATIONSHIP WITH NUPUR PAREKH FLYNN ’94 DURING THE INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE, WHAT OTHER ALUMNI OR DONORS HAVE YOU INTERACTED WITH?
I had the privilege of meeting my scholarship donor, Mary Lynn Durham ’70, who is funding the Dorsey Scholarship. It felt very special to meet the person who is enabling me to get an education, especially during a time when women and girls in my country, Afghanistan, are not only barred from education but also stripped of their basic human rights. Knowing that someone who does not even know me believes in my potential and is supporting my education strengthened my commitment to continue empowering women through my company, Esheel.
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND A SENSE OF BELONGING HERE ON THE HILL?
McDaniel has been my home for the past three years. I arrived on campus with only two suitcases and a dream of pursuing an education. What I have found here is so much more than an education — I have found a true sense of belonging. I am surrounded by a community of people who consistently support me, whether it is staff members like Amanda Gelber or professors who never fail to root for my success. Their encouragement has made me feel seen, valued, and uplifted, and it reminds me every day that I am not alone in this journey.
I had the privilege of meeting my scholarship donor, Mary Lynn Durham ’70, who is funding the Dorsey Scholarship. It felt very special to meet the person who is enabling me to get an education, especially during a time when women and girls in my country, Afghanistan, are not only barred from education but also stripped of their basic human rights.“
WHAT IMPACT HAS THE ALUMNI NETWORK HAD ON YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A STUDENT AT McDANIEL SO FAR?
The alumni network has had a tremendous impact on my experience as a McDaniel student. The support I have received extends far beyond what words can fully capture. One special example is my relationship with Alex Ober ’63 and his wife, Jan Engle Ober ’73, who have truly become like family to me. I first met them at an Alumni Association dinner, and from that moment, we developed a meaningful relationship.
Living alone and far from my family, I often face challenges that go beyond academics, such as moving between dorms and summer housing. Alex and Jan have always been there for me — helping me transport my belongings and making sure I never felt alone. Their kindness and generosity are a reflection of the alumni network’s impact, which reaches well beyond professional connections and directly touches students’ lives in deeply personal ways.
WHAT DO YOU ENVISION WHEN YOU THINK OF McDANIEL COLLEGE REACHING NEW HEIGHTS AS AN INSTITUTION?
I envision McDaniel as an institution that continues to change lives and open doors for students like me, enabling them to pursue their dreams and make a meaningful impact in their communities. The opportunities McDaniel has given me have not only transformed my own life but also the lives of my younger siblings and the students I have mentored over the past three years — students who have gone on to create positive change in their communities. This is the kind of far-reaching impact I see McDaniel achieving in the future.