TFAStrack Winter 2008 - The Fund for American Studies

TFAS
WINTER 2008
track
INSIDE:
New Building — New Horizons
TFAS to Reach More Students
With New Freedom Center
THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES | TEACHING FREEDOM SINCE 1967
From the
Chairman
&
President
We recently received a letter from a
supporter who was quite discouraged
about the future of freedom, pointing
to recent studies that show a preponderance of professors in our country’s
colleges and universities are hostile to
free-market ideas. He was at the point
of despair.
His pessimism brought to mind a
story economist Thomas Sowell
relates in his fascinating new book A
Man of Letters. Sowell recalls asking
fellow economist and Nobel Laureate
F.A. Hayek if he was optimistic or pessimistic about the future. “Optimistic!”
Hayek replied with great surprise at
the question. Sowell goes on to relate
that Hayek recalled the period when he
wrote The Road to Serfdom, published
in 1944. He was “a lonely voice in the
wilderness” at a time when socialism
was on the ascendancy.
The point is that how one assesses the
state of freedom is relative. Compared
to when?
As an organization that reaches young
people throughout the world, it is hard
not to be optimistic. Yes, surveys show
that there is little intellectual diversity
in academia and the media – with an
“anti-capitalist” mentality dominating
both. And yes, Hollywood’s portrayal
of business is more often than not
absurdly negative.
But once students are presented with
evidence of how free markets are
transforming the world, from China
and India to Estonia and El Salvador, they understand the superiority
of market economics. Or conversely,
when students learn that an oil-rich
country like Venezuela is experiencing
shortages of consumer goods and even
energy supplies, they comprehend the
emptiness of Hugo Chavez’s Castrolike socialist revolution.
The logic of argument and evidence
trumps empty rhetoric and political
and economic falsehoods. And we have
the evidence to prove it!
We recently surveyed our alumni and
received first-hand testimonials of our
effectiveness. As one former student
put it, in our classes he “gained knowledge during a critical time in [his]
intellectual development that [he] was
not receiving from any other source.”
Many students noted that thanks to
TFAS they were better equipped to
defend free-market ideas. One wrote,
“the TFAS experience strengthened
my understanding of economics and
gave [me] the tools to inform others
of the power of freedom.”
This is why the work of TFAS is so
vital. We present ideas and evidence;
we don’t indoctrinate. After reading
Jefferson, Madison, Adam Smith and
Looking Towards the Future
12.................................................New Freedom Center
Features
2.......................................................................Alumni Council Elections
3..................................................................................TFAS Holiday Party
F.A. Hayek, students are no longer
susceptible to the emotional appeal of
demagogues promising something for
nothing.
TFAS has the opportunity for continued program growth with the
purchase of a new center for teaching
freedom. This building will enable
us to reach more students and young
leaders with the message of freedom
and free markets. The Fund’s continued expansion is testament to our
optimism for the future. We encourage
you to read about this opportunity on
page 12 of this newsletter.
To again quote Thomas Sowell, this
time from his classic Knowledge and
Decisions, “Historically, freedom is a
rare and fragile thing ... [It] has cost
the blood of millions in obscure places
and in historic sites ranging from Gettysburg to the Gulag Archipelago ...
That something that cost so much in
human lives should be surrendered
piecemeal in exchange for visions or
rhetoric seems grotesque.”
By supporting our work, you are making sure that the logic and morality of
freedom will triumph and that the next
generation will not surrender that rare
and fragile thing we call freedom.
Randal C. Teague
Chairman
Roger R. Ream
President
4.............................................................................Fall Capital Semester
7.................................................................AIPE Speaker Wins Election
8.............................................................................U.S. Programs Expand
9....................................................................IPJ Goes Transcontinental
10.........................................................International TFAS Conferences
14................................2007 Leadership Network in Colorado Springs
25..........................................................................Alumni Survey Results
Departments
16................................Q & A With Alumnus John Ty Grubbs (J 03, I 05)
18 .......................................Mind Changing Books Written by Alumni
20...........................................................................................Alumni Notes
track
TFAS
Editor & Designer
Erin Brett
Photography
Scavone Photography
Contributors
Maura Bennardo
Kerri DiNarda (J 06)
Jay Goossen (B 03)
Steve Slattery
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 1
Annual Holiday Open House Spreads
Cheer and Fellowship
Alumni and staff attend a council meeting during the 2007 Leadership Network conference in Colorado Springs last fall. (standing from l.-r.) Andrea Huels (E 86), Vern McKinley (E 84), Julia Jackovich (J 02), Claire (Cary) Durling (E 01, A 02), John Sweda (E 97), Mike Arulfo (E 94, A 95), Neil Vigdor (J 98), Lacee Artist (B 00, I 01), Regent Kyle Hybl
(E 91, A 93), Vice President of Programs Steve Slattery, Karen Czarnecki (E 88), Alumni Affairs Coordinator Maura Bennardo, (seated from l.-r.) Archana Poddar (I 99), Desiree
Westby (B 02), Jenna Welch (J 02, I 03), Daniel McConchie (J 93, A 95), Milena McConchie (A 95)
Alumni Council Elections:
Nine New Members and Five Officers Selected to Serve
After carefully reviewing over 40 nominations, the TFAS
Alumni Council has elected nine new members to its ranks.
Joining the council as members at-large are Andrea
Browne-Phillips (E 04), Chris Deedy (E 05), Scot Faulkner
(E 75), Jordan Forbes (J 05), Traci Leonardo (J 93), Denise
Sena (J 04), Mackenzie Smith (J 02), Sherri Spragins (E 85)
and Tanja Stumberger (A 04, B 05, CSF 05).
Five new officers have also been elected. Succeeding John
Lee (E 85), who served as chairman from 2005 - 2007, is
two-time alumnus Dan McConchie (J 93, A 95). Ken Klatt
(E 70) was chosen as the vice chairman of governance. Former D.C. Alumni Chapter President Desiree Westby (B 02)
is the council’s new vice chairwoman of communications.
The alumni activities vice chairman is ICPES alumnus John
Sweda (E 97) and the new vice chairwoman of membership
is Megan Hoot (P 02).
As chairman, McConchie is responsible for guiding the
overall direction of the council. This includes creating
agendas, leading meetings, heading the Steering Committee
and appointing ad hoc committees and committee chairmen.
As vice chairman of governance, Klatt will ensure proper
implementation of council guidelines, take minutes at meetings and fill in as chairman if McConchie is unavailable.
Page 2 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
In her role as vice chairwoman of communications, Westby
will provide materials for the TFAS monthly newsletter and
assist in communications with alumni.
Vice Chairman of Alumni Activities John Sweda will offer
guidance on U.S. alumni chapter events and other alumni
programming while Hoot will lead the membership committee, manage all council selection processes and enforce
term limit guidelines in her role as vice chairwoman of
membership.
The new officers and council members were elected to serve
their two-year term by the 2006-2007 Alumni Council.
The new council is comprised of 46 members, including
25 at-large members, 16 alumni chapter presidents and five
council officers.
It was snowing outside, but guests
kept cozy indoors at the annual
TFAS Holiday Open House. Over
200 alumni, supporters and friends
braved the ice and snow to attend the
event on Dec. 5, 2007.
Since the late 1980s, The Fund for
American Studies has been opening
its doors to old friends and new faces
to celebrate the holiday season. The
annual get-together provides a great
opportunity to reflect on the passing
year and celebrate the relationships
and accomplishments established
through TFAS.
Guests at this year’s open house were
greeted by a merry atmosphere of
music and celebration as they entered
the doors of TFAS Headquarters
in Washington, D.C. Gourmet hors
d’oeuvres were served throughout
the night, while a harpist played soft
notes to mingle with the conversation.
Responsibilities of the council include advising The Fund’s
staff on all aspects of alumni programming, administering the alumni awards program and supporting the Alumni
Scholarship Fund campaign.
President Roger Ream said the event
is one he looks forward to each year.
“I enjoy having so many of the
people who contribute to The Fund’s
success gathered in one place,” he
said. “It provides a great opportunity
for all of us to share fellowship and
reflect on the passing year.”
Representing numerous cities and all of The Fund’s 16
U.S. alumni chapters, the council meets semi-annually to
exchange ideas, encourage professional and personal
relationships and develop programming that cultivates
alumni involvement.
The party attendance list included
more than 40 alumni, several
embassy representatives and the
Honorable John Bolton, former ambassador to the United Nations. Also
(Top) IBGA 2005 alumni (l.-r.) Jeff Zubricki, Caroline Dierker, David Reid, David Satterfield and Betsy Bryant catch
up with each other at the open house. | (bottom left) IPVS intern sponsors from the nonprofit Martha’s Table
spread holiday cheer. | Clark Horvath, TFAS supporter and former trustee, takes in the festive atmosphere.
present were several TFAS board
members, including Trustees John
Farley, Frank Donatelli and Mike
Thompson, Chairman Randy Teague,
Regent Jay Parker and Trustee
Emeritus Tom Phillips.
In the spirit of giving, TFAS traditionally accepts donations from
guests for local charities at the open
house. This year, TFAS collected
new children’s books for two D.C.
nonprofits, Horton’s Kids and Little
Lights Urban Ministries, benefitting
area youth. A total of 88 books were
donated.
“I was so glad to see all the books
our guests brought,” said IPVS Coordinator Patty Gentry (P 04) . “It’s
such a great feeling to know that we
can come together as a community to
spread holiday cheer to children who
need it most.”
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 3
Google Search Takes Student From
Texas to the Heart of Washington
“I’d walk by the Supreme Court on my way to class and see the
Capitol everyday. These buildings are where some of our country’s most important and historic decisions are made. That kind
of thing makes you walk a little slower.”
Derek Goodwin
Derek Goodwin “Googled” his way
toward the path of his dreams. The
20-year-old University of Houston
student found out about TFAS and
its Capital Semester program while
conducting a simple online search.
“I knew what I was interested in, and
I knew that I wanted to work in D.C.,
so I just got online and ‘Googled’ it,”
he said.
Goodwin didn’t know it at the time,
but that simple search would lead him
to a semester in Washington and the
internship of his dreams with the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security.
“This is what I want to do,” said
Goodwin. “I want to be involved in
defending our country.”
Goodwin was one of 48 students enrolled in Capital Semester Fall 2007.
The 15-week program combines
internships, courses at Georgetown
University and a variety of guest lectures, site visits and private briefings.
This fall’s class included a mix of
students from the United States, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Jordan, Lebanon,
Mexico, Poland, Romania, Singapore,
Sri Lanka and Ukraine.
Prior to enrolling in the CS program,
Goodwin had only briefly visited D.C.
while doing a six-hour tour with his
Boy Scout troop. Now, the Texas native speaks in awe of the semester he
spent living next door to the famous
U.S. Capitol dome.
“I’d walk by the Supreme Court on
my way to class and see the Capitol
everyday,” he said. “These buildings
are where some of our country’s most
important and historic decisions are
made. That kind of thing makes you
walk a little slower.”
Page 4 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
Derek Goodwin speaks to his classmates and friends of TFAS at the Capital Semester commencement ceremony.
Goodwin was chosen as a speaker, representing his class, by faculty and staff.
(Left) USA Today Intelligence Reporter Richard Willing speaks to students as part of the weekly guest lecture series. | (Right) (l.-r.) Capital Semester students Andres Ramos
from the University of Michigan and Cole Bockenfeld from the University of Arkansas discuss their notes during a briefing held at the U.S. Department of State.
As a DHS intern, Goodwin gained
firsthand experience drafting official letters and conducting original
research on homegrown Islamic
radicalization and future freshwater
shortages.
been a class where I’m going to hang
on to my notes.”
His crowning intern moment came
when he was asked to present his
research to Assistant Secretary for
Policy Stewart Baker. “That was
definitely the highlight of my internship experience,” said Goodwin. “And
probably the coolest project I’ve ever
been involved in,” he added.
Working in the DHS offices gave
Goodwin access to advisory meetings
where he gained a front-row seat to
discussions on national security. On
a few occasions, the attendance list
alone was enough to impress Goodwin. “The people at these meetings
are really successful. At one meeting,
the former CEO of Amazon.com was
there,” he said. “It makes for a pretty
intimidating room, but it’s great to
see.”
In addition to internships, Goodwin and his fellow CS students took
courses at Georgetown University. Courses included Theories of
Constitutional Interpretation with
Dr. Steven Hayward, Economics
and Public Policy Problems with Dr.
Thomas Rustici and an internship
seminar with Dr. Ken Masugi where
students reflected on the Washington
policy process and studied concepts
from Alexis de Toqueville’s Democracy
in America.
In Professor Rustici’s classroom,
Goodwin entered unfamiliar territory.
“The whole realm of public choice
economics was something I had never
heard of. There was not a single class
session where I didn’t learn something new,” he said. “It’s definitely
When Goodwin and his fellow CS
students were not busy in the classroom or at their internships, they
could be found attending lectures,
meeting D.C. professionals and soaking in the city’s wealth of knowledge.
Goodwin said he especially enjoyed
a lecture from Jacki Pick, a judiciary
counsel for Rep. Trent Franks (R –
Ariz.) who has political beliefs similar
to his own. “Her strong and emotional defense of conservative ideology was really interesting to hear in
person,” he said. “I have never seen
someone defend themselves so well.”
Goodwin enjoyed hearing a passionate defense of his own ideals, but said
he also benefited from those lectures
that did not align with his beliefs.
“Just from watching the various
lectures, I learned a lot about understanding both sides of an issue and
how to better structure and defend
my own ideas.”
After spending 15 weeks working
at the heart of our nation’s security,
Goodwin hasn’t changed his mind
about his future ambitions. He’s
narrowed his interests down to the
counter-terrorism strategic planning
areas of national security and is already looking into internships for the
coming summer.
“I definitely want to come back,” said
Goodwin. “I don’t imagine there’s
too much action for me away from
Washington.”
Capital
Semester
on Political
Journalism
TFAS also launched its inaugural Capital
Semester on Political Journalism component this fall. CSPJ welcomed eight
students to participate in the new track
designed specifically for those interested
in journalism, politics and public relations. Students in the CSPJ program held
internships with prominent national news
organizations, including The Washington
Times, MSNBC, and Nightline ABC News.
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 5
LEGAL
STUDIES
INSTITUTE
Capital Semester Student
Publishes Book on Leadership
Capital Semester student Armando Regil Velasco (CSF 07) is the author of La Respuesta
Eres tú: Una Visión de Liderazgo Para Jóvenes Emprendedores or You are the Answer: A
Scope of Leadership for Young Entrepreneurs.
For 1st-Year Law Students
June 1 – August 3, 2008
Washington, D.C.
During his semester with TFAS, Velasco presented the book at Georgetown University’s
Intercultural Center where Harriet M. Fulbright, president of the board of directors at the
William & Harriet Fulbright Center, and Ian Vasquez, director of the Center for Global
Liberty and Prosperity at the Cato Institute, gave remarks.
Here is what Velasco has to say about
his book:
they have the opportunity, tools and
potential to make this world a better
place with small actions.
Q: What is La respuesta eres tú about?
A: My book is about leadership for
young entrepreneurs. The argument
is that if we really want to make a
difference, and if we want to change
our countries and the world, first we
need to change ourselves. Nothing
is impossible. Young people have the
potential to make things happen and
to spread optimism and hope if they
are consistent in what they think, say
and do.
Forty-two leaders from 21 countries
gave a message for young people
in the book. I talked to all of them
except for Mohammad Khatami, the
former president of Iran. Some of the
participants include: Former Secretary of State Colin Powell; Former
President of El Salvador Francisco
Flores; Mexico’s Mota Secretary
of Education Josefina Vazquez; the
founder of Bimbo Bakeries Lorenzo
Sevitje; Vice President International
Michael Ducker of FedEx; Former
U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese III;
New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Phil Goff and many more.
Q: What is the purpose of your book?
A: The purpose of the book is to
make young people wake up and start
thinking about the meaning of their
lives. I want them to understand that
Page 6 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
Q: What personally motivated you as you
wrote the book?
The fact that we can shape the future
and improve the state of the world
and that nothing is predetermined
motivated me as well. Freedom and
responsibility are two sides of the
same coin. People should understand
how great our contributions can be.
I wrote the book because I am a
strong believer in the potential of the
youth. I always keep optimistic and
hopeful about the future and think
that criticizing is only valid when
we help to improve the outcomes. I
want to motivate the young people to
believe in themselves, believe in their
societies and in their countries. To
always have a dream and work very
hard to make it come true. The world
can really change if we decide to
participate; it all depends in our free
choices and the decisions we make.
What motivated me to write this book
was noticing a need to talk about and
share these ideas to our youth and
the need to spread faith and hope.
(r.-l.) AIPE Academic Director Dr. Y.F. Luk, dean of the School of Economics and
Finance at the University of Hong Kong, presents Hon. Anson Chan with a thank
you gift for speaking to AIPE students during the 2004 commencement ceremony.
Get a
head start
on your
legal career!
AIPE Guest Lecturer
Wins Hong Kong
Election
(Above) A leader from the Georgetown University
Latin American Student Association, the organization
that hosted the event, presents Velasco with a token
of thanks. | (Below) An attentive audience listens to
Velasco speak at the event.
Referred to by her supporters as “Hong Kong’s conscience,” The Honorable Anson Chan won a significant
special election on Dec. 2, 2007 for a seat on Hong Kong’s
Legislative Council. Both Chan and her closest competitor
in the election, Regina Ip, have been involved with AIPE,
The Fund’s summer program in Hong Kong. In 2004,
Chan served as the keynote speaker for the Institutes’ commencement ceremony, while Ip was the guest of honor at
the opening ceremony of the 2006 Institute.
Formerly the chief secretary of Hong Kong under both
the British and the Chinese, Chan has long served as the
symbol of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp.
“As one of the more vocal proponents for achieving universal suffrage in Hong Kong by 2012, many view Chan’s
victory as a signal that the people of Hong Kong are eager
to continue their push for democracy,” said AIPE Manager
Jay Goossen (B 03).
Final Deadline • March 15
LEARN
• guaranteed legal clerkships
• academic seminar
• professional development activities
• networking with attorneys
www.TFAS.org/legalstudies
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 7
TFAS Expands U.S. Programs:
New Initiatives for International and Law Students
TFAS is continually looking for new
opportunities to educate young leaders
around the world. True to this mission,
it has developed two new initiatives for
its U.S. summer programs: the Legal
Studies Institute and an international
affairs track within the Engalitcheff
Institute on Comparative Political and
Economic Systems.
as meetings with prominent judges,
lawyers and judicial scholars.
Last July, TFAS introduced a six-day
legal studies program for students
preparing for their first year of law
school. This coming summer, TFAS
will expand that program into a nineweek Legal Studies Institute for students who have completed their first
year of law school.
For more information on the Legal
Studies Institute, go to www.TFAS.
org/legalstudies.
LSI will combine legal clerkships,
academic coursework, networking
opportunities and career development
activities to provide law students with
firsthand exposure to the American
legal system.
The first week of the program will
be dedicated to an academic seminar
on constitutional law where students
will examine the U.S. Constitution,
the values on which it is based and the
contributions it has made to policy in
the U.S.
The seminar will be taught by two
legal scholars: Dr. John S. Baker, Jr., a
professor at the Paul M. Herbert Law
Center at Louisiana State University
and Dr. Roger Pilon, director of The
Center for Constitutional Studies at
The Cato Institute.
Following the seminar, students will
work full time at their clerkships for
the remaining eight weeks of the
program.
In addition to the core Institute curriculum, LSI students will attend weekly
events such as briefings at judicial and
executive branch institutions as well
Page 8 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
Students who have just finished their
first year of law school are invited to
apply for the competitive program.
Enrollment is limited to allow significant interaction with speakers and
instructors.
Also new this fall is the international
affairs track of the Engalitcheff
Institute on Comparative Political and
Economic Systems. The new initiative
is being launched in response to the
increasing student interest in international affairs.
ICPES Manager Mark Pfundstein says
he has high hopes for the program.
“We want to give students a proper
grounding in U.S. foreign policy, explaining the United States’ role in the
world and its impact on an increasingly
global world,” said Pfundstein.
The students enrolled in the international affairs track are guaranteed an
internship in international affairs and
will attend special lectures and briefings related to their area of interests.
In addition, international affairs students will take a course in American
foreign policy in place of the traditional ICPES American politics course. All
ICPES students will continue to take
the economics course and attend the
Judd Lecture series.
(Right: conference speakers from top to bottom) Mike
Ramirez, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for
Investors Business Daily; Debra Saunders, syndicated
columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle; Tom Plate,
syndicated columnist and UCLA professor; Tony Mauro,
Supreme Court reporter for Legal Times; Rachel Smolkin,
legal affairs editor for USA Today
IPJ Goes Transcontinental to Host Two Fall Conferences
From the city by the bay to the Nation’s capital, the Institute
on Political Journalism brought young journalists from across
the U.S. together for two fall journalism conferences.
In early November, IPJ
hosted a conference in San
Francisco, Calif. on “Breaking News and Making News.”
Over 30 students attended
the two-day seminar designed to sharpen journalists’
reporting skills.
Conference attendees enjoyed
lectures from seasoned professionals on topics such as
politics, economics and the
environment. IPJ Director
Joe Starrs said these lectures
provide important industry
perspective for young journalists.
“Our conference speakers
deliver powerful insight,”
he said. “It’s an enormous
advantage for these students
to hear advice from veteran
journalists who cover the
country’s most pressing issues on a daily basis.”
Speakers in San Francisco
included Tom Plate, syndicated columnist and director
of the UCLA Media Center;
Daniel Schnur, political and
media strategist and former
communications director
for Senator John McCain
(R-Ariz.); Columnist Debra
Saunders of The San Francisco Chronicle; Dale Kasler of
The Sacramento Bee; and Dr.
Jim Willis, author of The
Media Effect: How News Influences Politics & Government.
IPJ headed back east to
Washington, D.C. for its second fall conference “Decision
2008: Presidential Politics &
the Press” held from Nov. 30
- Dec. 1, 2007.
The 2-day event attracted
114 students, professors and
advisors from colleges across
the United States.
Hosted just minutes from
Capitol Hill, the conference
placed students in the heart
of political journalism and
the upcoming presidential
elections.
Eager for his students to
absorb Washington’s political atmosphere, Professor
John Paulmann of Westfield
State College drove 10 hours
from Massachusetts, so that
eight of his students could
attend the conference. For the
majority of his travelers, the
trip to D.C. was a first.
“Visiting Washington was
explosive for us,” said Paulmann. “What an opportunity
to just listen in. It was like
putting your headphones
down to the ground and getting a sense of the vibrations
coming from this extremely
political part of our nation.”
Frank Sesno and alumnus
Steve Hayes (A 94), author of
Cheney: The Untold Story of
America’s Most Powerful and
Controversial Vice President.
Other speakers included
NPR Morning Edition’s Davar
Adalan, The Washington
Times’ Julia Duin and representatives from USA Today,
White House Correspondent
Richard Benedetto and Jill
Lawrence.
Boston University student
Evelyn Ratigan said she
was in awe following the
panel, “National Security vs.
Freedom of the Press” where
NBC Pentagon Producer
Courtney Kube and USA
Today National Editor and
Legal Affairs Correspondent
Rachel Smolkin offered personal examples of handling
classified intelligence and
potentially harmful information.
sites of Washington were as
powerful as the conference
speakers. As they passed by
the Capitol, some for the first
time, one student inquired
about her representative’s
role under the famous dome.
“She asked so innocently, ‘is
that where our representative
goes when they come down
from Massachusetts,’” said
Paulmann. “And I told her
‘yes, that’s where they all go,
they make the laws of the
land there.’ Well they were
all just pop-eyed with this
notion that here it is.”
Each year, TFAS holds two
regional conferences in addition to its summer IPJ program to reach more young
journalists. The 2007 conferences were made possible
because of generous support
from the Rising Phoenix
Foundation in Lyme, Conn.
“It was absolutely amazing,”
said Ratigan. “It’s great to
have professionals give you
firsthand accounts of dealing
with the issues that we theorize about in class.”
For Professor Paulmann’s
students, the history and
Keynote speakers for the
Washington conference were
CNN Special Correspondent
(Above Right) A student journalist reviews conference materials. | (Bottom Right) TFAS
alumni reunite at the Washington conference. (pictured l.-r.) David Ray (E 07), Jessica Eggan
(J 07), Jen Beasley (J 07), Nick Ballasy (J 07), Brittany Hackett (J 07), Eric Halstrom (J 07)
and Jessica Taylor (J 05)
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 9
Global Alumni Network Gathers for
Annual International Conference
More than 40 TFAS alumni from 20
countries gathered in the Mediterranean seaside town of Opatija, Croatia
on the weekend of Nov. 16-18 for the
second annual international alumni
conference sponsored by the Croatian
Alumni Club of The Fund for American Studies (HAKFAS).
Organized around the theme "How to
Make a Difference Through Leadership," the conference featured presentations by some of the top leadership
experts in Croatia. Alan Žepec, a wellknown executive coach and trainer,
led a workshop in which he encour-
The conference was organized
entirely by alumni volunteers from
HAKFAS. Project manager Nikolina
Marenić (A 07) and her team planned
all aspects of the conference, including speaker selection, transportation logistics and accommodations
and meals. The organizers obtained
grants from the U.S. Embassy and the
German Mashall Fund to cover the
entire cost of the conference.
Conference attendees ranged in
age from early 20s to mid-30s and
included both university students and
working professionals from a number
pants spent time networking with
each other and enjoying the numerous
tourist attractions of the Istria region
– located on the northernmost part
of Croatia’s coast. One afternoon, the
group traveled to the medieval town
of Motovun, which is situated near
the Italian border on a hill 270 meters
above sea level. There, they sampled
Istrian wines and the region’s famous
gourmet mushrooms, known as
truffles or “tartufi.”
Throughout the weekend, the conference organizers gave special attention
to promoting the TFAS alumni phi-
plan by signing a memorandum of
understanding, agreeing to organize
conferences in their countries in 2008.
The entire group then approved the
“Opatija Declaration,” which outlines
cooperation among the TFAS alumni
chapters in Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Caucasus. Kunc described the declaration
as an “alumni manifesto” designed
to invigorate the regional network,
promote the values of freedom and
democracy and enable personal and
professional development of all the
participants.
Journalists Attend Annual
EMJI Conference in Greece
Thirty-three young journalists from
around the world gathered in Athens,
Greece for the second annual Euro-Med
Journalism Institute from Sep. 29 Oct. 7, 2007. The nine-day conference
emphasized the value of objective and
ethical reporting through panel discussions, guest lectures and site visits.
Alumna Dr. Rachel Yould (E 93)
facilitated discussions on issues facing
journalists in the region such as the
role of the press in promoting a free
society and changes in the media environment. The group also talked about
the political, cultural and economic
obstacles confronting journalists in free Maike Mehlis of Germany listens to discussions
and unfree societies. Yould is editor-in- during a conference session.
chief of the Oxford International Review
as well as a professor with the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio
University in Japan.
In response to the deadly fires that blazed through southern Greece last August, the
conference organized a panel titled “Fires in Greece, the Aftermath: Economic, Political, Environmental.” Leading the timely discussion were Efstathios Sagias, forestry
engineer and former director for the ministry of agriculture; Petros Katsakos, journalist for the Hellenic Broadcast Corporation; and Spyros Spyridon, secretary general of
Western Greece.
(Left) Ivo Matic (A 06) works on a “life map” exercise during the conference. | (Right) Filip Ljubic (I 01), vice president of the Croatian alumni chapter, speaks to conference attendees.
(Above) View of the Mediterranean seaside town of Opatija,
Croatia where the conference was held
aged the participants to ponder their
own values and career goals. Through
exercises such as creating a past and
future “life map,” participants were
challenged to recognize their own
personal qualities and opportunities
for development. “This conference demonstrates that
the TFAS alumni network is truly
global and that it can play a vital role
in developing leaders in countries
around the world,” remarked TFAS
Vice President for Programs Steve
Slattery, who attended the conference.
Other lecturers included Dragan Munjiza, former CEO of a large grocery
chain in Croatia; Kresimir Macan, a
former communications advisor to
the Croatian prime minister; and Dr.
Velimir Srica, a prominent business
professor at the University of Zagreb.
Page 10 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
of fields such as banking and information technology.
Countries represented included:
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Hungary,
Israel, Jordan, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania,
Serbia, Syria and the United States.
The group included graduates of
TFAS programs in Greece, Prague
and Washington, D.C. When not in
formal conference sessions, partici-
losophy of connecting people based
on merit – not on family connections
or material interest, which is often the
case in the region.
Croatian Chapter President Davor
Kunc (A 02, I 04, E 05) and Vice President Filip Ljubić (I 01) gave a presentation, outlining a plan to expand the
annual Croatia conference into “Four
Annual Alumni Forums” or “FAAF.”
The forums will be held quarterly in
different countries. The leaders of
the Croatian, Czech, Hungarian and
Serbian alumni clubs endorsed this
For more information about the Croatian alumni chapter, visit the website
at www.HAKFAS.hr/.
Thomas Countryman, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. of the U.S. Embassy to Greece welcomed
EMJI participants to a dinner at the U.S. ambassador’s residence where he gave a
presentation on the U.S. view on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the
Middle East.
Other guest speakers included Vyron Theodoropoulos, a former Greek ambassador;
Bruce Clark, chief editor of The Economist; and a panel of representatives from NATO
and the World Bank.
In addition to lectures, attendees toured sites of political and media interest, including the Hellenic Broadcast Corporation’s television and radio studios and the offices of
the Greek daily newspaper Kathimerini. Participants also visited the Hellenic Parliament where they received a lecture from Parliament President Dimitrios Sioufas in the
Senate Room.
The program was sponsored by Theodossis Georgiou and Dr. Aliki Mitsakos, members
of the TFAS Board of Visitors, and the Greek Association for Atlantic and European
Cooperation under the auspices of the Secretariat General of Information, Ministry of
State, of the Greek Government.
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 11
TFAS to Reach More Students
With New Freedom Center
After 40 years of operation, The Fund for American Studies is stepping into its fifth decade and through the doors of
a new building. The organization recently acquired a second building to accommodate its solid and stable growth
in student programming. Over the past five years, student enrollment in TFAS programs has doubled. TFAS is now
reaching students in the United States and on four continents, and there are now more than 9,000 alumni.
Looking
Towards
the Future
Page 12 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
The new building is located
almost directly across the
street from the existing headquarters. It will become part
of TFAS Headquarters and
will include additional offices
for program staff, a stateof-the-art classroom and a
center for alumni activity and
education.
concluded that if we acted
fast, we might purchase this
building at a very good price.
Now, having successfully negotiated the purchase and secured financing, we have the
opportunity to reach many
more students with the ideas
of freedom, free markets and
personal responsibility.”
By purchasing a building so
close to its current headquarters, TFAS has found a
cost-effective way to grow
without the added expenses
of a major relocation or
costly building project. The
new building will add 60
percent more space, which is
needed for continued expansion of programs for journalism students and to further
develop the new Legal Studies Institute and important
new Latin America initiatives.
Additionally, the building will
provide a classroom to teach
students about freedom and
free markets.
Like many buildings in
historic D.C., The Fund’s
new building has a long and
colorful history. According
to a study by architectural
historians Kelsey & Associates, it was built in 1905 as a
four-story row house. At the
time of construction, Dupont
Circle was the preferred
neighborhood of the city’s
influential citizens.
Although a building search
had been ongoing for several years, TFAS President
Roger Ream commented
on the fortuitous nature of
this purchase. “We read in
the morning paper that the
owners of this building were
having financial trouble and
TFAS is currently working
with an architectural firm
to redesign interior spaces
and expects to move into the
building by summer 2008.
When the new building is
occupied, some repairs and
renovations will be made to
The Fund’s main headquarters building. Plans call for
the basement to be converted
into a center for alumni activity, including a library and
meeting area.
In addition to these two
buildings that will serve as
the coordinating center of
TFAS activity, the organization leases three buildings
near the U.S. Capitol to house
students and hold classes.
The house’s original owner,
Helen Churchill Candee, was
an author and one of Washington’s first professional
interior decorators. In 1912,
she became part of American
history when she survived
the sinking of the Titanic.
In 1968, the house was converted to an office occupied
by various tenants until 2003,
when the Rock Creek International School bought the
building and turned it into a
middle school.
The building’s interior includes marble fireplaces
and ornate pillars and wood work.
During the summer months,
when enrollment in TFAS
programs is the highest,
the organization houses an
additional 380 students in
dormitories on the campus
of Georgetown University.
Overseas, TFAS utilizes the
facilities of Charles University in Prague, the University of Hong Kong and the
Mediterranean Agronomic
Institute of Chania in Crete,
Greece. Together, these facilities enable TFAS to teach the
ideas of freedom to hundreds
of students throughout the
world each year.
TFAS will be undertaking
a campaign in 2008 to raise
money to pay for the building
and renovations.
Please contact
Vice President
of Development
Ed Turner at
202-986-0384 if
you are interested in assisting
with this important effort.
Supporters and Alumni Gather in
Colorado Springs for Networking Conference
A screening of The Call of the Entrepreneur, a documentary film
by the Acton Institute, was presented at breakfast on Saturday,
Oct. 13. The film followed three men – a farmer, a Hong Kong
businessman and an investment banker – who took great risks
in order to create successful businesses that served the needs
of people.
Frank Hanna, an entrepreneur featured in the film, spoke to the
audience after the screening and accepted the David R. Jones
Leadership in Philanthropy Award. Hanna, CEO of Hanna Capital LLC, shared his ideas about philanthropy with the audience,
including his insights on how to use intellectual and financial
capital to build a society of virtue.
(l.-r.) Regent Ron Hart (E 81), Trustee Charlie Black, Chairman Randy Teague and conference speaker
Frank Hanna enjoy the Broamoor’s golf course during the annual tournament.
“At the end of the day, our American species will not survive
without virtue,” said Hanna. “I can tell from the short time I’ve
been here that that’s part of what TFAS is about.”
On Saturday evening, guests attended a cocktail reception at
the Carriage Museum on The Broadmoor’s premises. The museum, which showcased old-fashioned carriages from 19th and
early 20th centuries served as the setting for alumni, supporters and staff to mingle. Vice President of Programs Steve Slattery announced the winners of the annual golf tournament at dinner. Regent Ron Hart
(E 81) and Hanna, both from Atlanta, walked away with the
trophy for the annual Governors’ Golf Cup tournament. Vice President of Development Ed Turner (l.) talks with Regent Frank Launiger (r.) and his wife Kathleen
who traveled to Colorado Springs from Dallas to attend the conference.
Two young Colorado alumni, Micah Redfield (A 07), a cadet at
the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Jeff Phillips (E 07), a student at
the University of Denver, gave testimonials about their experiences attending TFAS Institutes this past summer.
(Above) Alumni Council members (l.-r.) John Sweda (E 97), Vern McKinley (E 84), Mike Arulfo (E 94, A 95), Claire (Cary) Durling (E 01, A 02) and Megan Hoot (P 02) mingle near an
exhibit of a historic Pike’s Peak race car during a reception held at the Carriage Museum. | (Below) Steve Moore, formerly of the Club for Growth and now at The Wall Street
Journal, speaks to guests about politics and the economy during the opening luncheon.
T
FAS supporters, alumni and staff
gathered amidst the mountains of
Colorado Springs for the 2007 Leadership Network.
Held each fall in a unique destination, the
conference brings together alumni and leaders for a weekend of networking. The fivestar Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs
was the backdrop for October’s three-day
conference.
On Friday, Oct. 12, The TFAS Board of Trustees and Board of Regents met jointly, and
the Alumni Council held a strategic planning session. Following the meetings, Steve
Moore of The Wall Street Journal gave a
presentation on politics and the economy
during the opening luncheon.
Page 14 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
Between lectures and meetings, conference
guests were given the options of participating in the annual TFAS golf tournament at
the hotel’s renowned course and attending a private briefing with General Victor
Renuart, Jr. at the U.S. Northern Command
Headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base.
Guests admired the Broadmoor’s distinctive architecture and the art collection at
the nearby Penrose House. Built in the late
19th century and initially owned by The
Broadmoor’s builder Spencer Penrose, the
house is home to several original Toulouse
Lautrec paintings. The house provided a
beautiful setting for cocktails and dinner on
Friday night. James Dougherty (E 07), a junior at the
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs,
At dinner, Trustee Bill Hybl was presented with the David R.
Jones Lifetime Service Award. Hybl has been a member of the
Board since 1986 and also serves on the Board of Advisors for
IIPES. After dinner, Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke of Fox News’
The Beltway Boys bantered about politics and policy in a lively
back-and-forth discussion.
gave a testimonial at Friday’s dinner.
Dougherty talked candidly and fondly about
his summer with TFAS. President of the
University of Colorado and former U.S. Sen.
Hank Brown (R-Colo.) gave the keynote address on the power of freedom.
"It was really a treat to actually see Mort and Fred debate live,”
said Alumni Council Member Desiree Westby (B 02). “I am such
a fan of the show.”
Board of Trustees members present Bill Hybl with the David R. Jones Lifetime Service Award. (pictured
from l.-r,) John Farley, Fred Barnes, Dan Branch, Chairman Randy Teague, President Roger Ream (E 76),
Bill Hybl, Vice Chairman Michael Thompson, Mark Stansberry (E 76) and Charlie Black
SAVE THE DATE
2008 LEADERSHIP NETWORK CONFERENCE
November 13 & 14, 2008
Westin Kierland, Scottsdale, Arizona
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 15
matter was obviously great. But what I
truly appreciated was their passion about
their respective subjects and their sincere
desire to see us learn.
Q. It’s a long way in many ways from a
long and hot summer in Washington to a hot
month in Greece. What attracted you to our
Institute in Greece? What did you think it
was going to be like?
CONVERSATIONS
Middle East. Upon his return, Grubbs sat down with Chairman Randy Teague to give a firsthand account of his journey and his experiences
attending both a domestic and international TFAS Institute.
During his travels, Grubbs was fortunate to reconnect with many of the friends he made through IIPES. “This is just one example of our
students developing life-long friendships with their TFAS classmates. These relationships extend through the students’ families and communities,” said International Programs Director Michelle Jeffress (J 95, A 96). “It’s American diplomacy at its best!”
An amazing family testimonial, Grubbs, as a recent graduate, has already contributed to the Alumni Scholarship Fund, and his parents have
also given to TFAS. His uncle, a distinguished former congressman from Florida, has donated to The Ignacy Jan Paderewski Scholarship
Program for students from Poland. TFAS and its students are grateful to Grubbs and his family for their generous contributions.
Q. You attended our Institute on Political
Journalism at Georgetown University in
2003 and our Institute on Political and
Economic Studies in Greece for American
and Eastern Mediterranean students in
the summer of 2005. Where were you
and what were you studying when you
first learned of The Fund’s Institutes?
A. I was in Dallas studying journalism and history at Southern Methodist University, when you actually contacted me and told me about TFAS
and the various Institutes. Specifically,
Page 16 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
IPJ and IIPES. I never anticipated
attending both programs. But after
having a great experience at IPJ in
2003, I jumped at the chance to attend
IIPES in 2005.
Q. Where did you intern during your
eight weeks at IPJ? How were the classes
on economics and on ethics?
A. I interned at USA Today. You
can imagine what a thrill that was
for someone studying journalism. I
even got a couple articles published
while I was there. It was a lot of fun
and really awe-inspiring to witness
everything that goes into publishing a
major newspaper.
The basic curriculum at IPJ was not
all that different from other college
courses I had taken. What really
separated it was the TFAS faculty. Dr.
Thomas Rustici from George Mason
University and Dr. Terry Reynolds
from Georgetown University were
two of the best professors I have ever
had. Their knowledge of the subject
I also visited some IIPES alumni while I
was in the Middle East. Yosra Ebeidy (I
05) was kind enough to show me around
Alexandria, Egypt, Abdullah Alawi (I
05) gave me the grand tour of Amman,
Q. You then went as a civilian to Baghdad,
to work there. How long were you there? Can
you tell us what your work was like? What
living there was like?
A. I was working as an independent
media consultant for the multinational
forces. I was there for about six months.
Most of which was spent in the “heavilyfortified Green Zone,” as it is so commonly referred. Life was not too bad.
One Alum’s Personal Account of
Exploration and Learning
A. Obviously my experience at IPJ had
a big impact on my decision to attend
IIPES. But the opportunity to spend a
month in Greece didn’t hurt either.
After participating in IIPES, two-time alumnus John Ty Grubbs (J 03, I 05) enrolled in Arabic classes and traveled extensively throughout the
rope and East Africa. I did receive some
advice from the kind Egyptian delegation at IIPES. But I found that Cairo is
something that cannot be described. It
can only be experienced.
I had no idea what to expect. I was definitely not ready for the IIPES experience. Not many are, though. You have to
realize that meeting people from around
the world, in an environment such as
that, is an opportunity afforded to few.
It’s not healthy to only have political discussions with people of similar
opinions. It’s not much fun either. IIPES
overcomes both.
Q. Did it change your life and career focuses?
Jordan, and Jad Elias (I 05, E 06) let me
stay at his house during a trip to Beirut,
Lebanon. I could not have been more
grateful to them and their families for
their hospitality.
Q. Did you continue your Arabic studies
when you returned to the States?
A. Yes. I began studying and working at
the Middle East Institute in D.C. Learning Arabic is obviously very difficult.
Especially for someone who had trouble
with Spanish in high school.
The conditions were better than most
places, and I certainly met a lot of interesting people.
Q. You have returned now to the States.
What lies ahead in the short run?
A. I have been back for less than a
month, so I am really just taking some
time to relax and decompress a little. I
have been in contact with a few consulting firms, but I’ve yet to accept any
offers. Right now I’m enjoying some rest
and relaxation.
(Page 17) Grubbs takes in the atmosphere on his trip to Iraq. | (Below) Grubbs (second from the left) visits with his former
IIPES classmate, Jad Elias (I 05, E 06) (far right), and his family during a trip to Beirut.
A. It changed my perception of the
world. We often have preconceived notions about people we have never met
or cultures we have never experienced.
Naturally, our perceptions of other
people are generated more from stereotypes than from reality. IIPES helped
break down these perceptions and create
a clearer view of the world.
Q. You went immediately from our program
in Chania, Greece to an intensive Arabic
language program in Cairo. What was it
like studying and living in Egypt? Did you
have a chance to travel to other places in the
Middle East?
A. Cairo was quite different from Chania.
I was in no way prepared for Egypt
despite having previously traveled to EuTFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 17
In this Issue’s “Mind Changing Books,” two of The Fund’s newest staff members review two books written by alumni.
Andrea Calderon, recruitment and admissions assistant, takes a look at alumnus Mark Levin’s (E 76) touching tale
Rescuing Sprite. Julia DiCarlo, special assistant to the chief financial officer, analyzes new alumnus Byron Fisher’s
(CSS 04) The Supply and Demand Paradox: A Treatise on Economics. Levin is a nationally syndicated radio host and
New York Times best-selling author and Fisher is a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
The Supply and Demand Paradox:
A Treatise on Economics
By: Byron Fisher (CSS 04)
Review By: Julia DiCarlo
A wise man once said never judge a
book by its cover. Presumably whoever first spoke these words meant
not to judge based on appearances. I took this sentiment literally. The back cover of Byron Fisher’s book, The Supply
and Demand Paradox: A Treatise on Economics glosses over
Fisher’s work and mentions that he serves as an infantry
officer in the U.S. Army. I immediately assumed that Fisher’s youth would compromise the quality of his writing and
thought... My folly.
Though Fisher hasn’t spent years analyzing the markets, he
successfully answers the question economists have argued
over since the emergence of the modern economy: Does
supply create demand or does demand create supply?
In his book, Fisher argues that invariably the latter is true.
Fisher moves past markets and into applicable examples of
how supply and demand are not equal. In other words, he
demonstrates for a greater readership that the consumer
first must feel the need before the response of the manufacturer can be effective. Essentially, he states that what drives
markets, whether it is the market for apples or a contract
killer, is demand, not supply.
Fishers’ explanation of what drives markets is compelling.
He illustrates for his audience that need yields a product.
Page 18 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
In making his case he implies that the creation of a device,
merchandise or an adaptation will not drive the average consumer to clamor for whatever has been presented to the public if it is not first wanted.
Fisher argues persuasively that demand creates supply.
However, he fails to disprove the other side of the argument:
supply creating demand. For example, what about the Apple
iPod? Ten years ago people had never heard of the device,
but whenever Apple is on the brink of releasing the next
generation of Nanos, the public is always lined up outside
of the Apple store.
It is then arguable that Apple has done the impossible as the
manufacturer and created the demand for a product simply
by introducing innovation into the market. The point is not
whether or not this statement is true, but that Fisher has not
disproved it.
Some might claim that Fisher is a rookie, but he has certainly
done his research. His work is a departure from typical textbook analysis, which broadens readership of the material.
The Supply and Demand Paradox is fascinating even if you are
not a daily disciple of The Wall Street Journal. Fisher invites
the average reader to examine economic philosophy while
enabling the reader to consider his proposal, using “real-life”
examples that anyone can relate to. Certainly Fisher is onto
something with his theories, and I, for one, hope for a sequel.
“
Rescuing Sprite
By: Mark Levin (E 76)
Review By: Andrea Calderon
In Rescuing Sprite, Mark Levin examines one of the most simple but profound bonds – that of people and their
pets. The book is a touching account
that any pet owner can relate to.
Levin’s story begins with a brief history of the pets his family
owned growing up, which eventually leads to his decision that
the time was right for a family pet. At first, Levin is met with
resistance and uncertainty about having a pet, but when the
rest of the family is introduced to the small black and white
puppy Levin had picked out at the pet store, no one can say
no. The family names the Cocker Spaniel/Border Collie mix
Pepsi. Pepsi fit easily into the Levin’s lives and had a particularly strong bond with Mark, who broadcasts his radio show
from home.
After a few years Levin’s wife Kendall decides to adopt a companion for Pepsi. She finds a striking blonde spaniel mix at
a local shelter, which they logically name Sprite. The family
forms an immediate bond with Sprite, and Sprite and Pepsi
become fast friends. However, Levin fears Sprite is much older
than what the shelter has told him.
After a few years, Levin’s worries are confirmed as Sprite collapses and his health begins to quickly decline. It is discovered
Sprite was actually closer to 10 or 11 years old when adopted
and has a variety of health problems. The Levins do their
best to treat Sprite, but eventually questions about quality of
life arise, and they are faced with the very difficult choice of
whether or not to put Sprite down.
Because of Levin’s close bond to Sprite, the decision takes a
toll on both his physical and mental health. He reaches out to
family, friends and fans and is surprised to find that his reaction to the impending reality of losing Sprite is not excessive
or unusual, but in fact a fairly common feeling for pet own-
Mark Levin does an
amazing job of
illustrating why the adage
‘man’s best friend’
is so accurate.
People always remember
their pets. After all, they
love us unconditionally.
“
BOOKS
mind-changing
New Regents
New Trustee
ers like himself. He is overwhelmed when people’s anecdotes
come pouring in about their lost pets on his radio show and of
the warmth of colleagues over his loss.
Mark Levin does an amazing job of illustrating why the adage “man’s best friend” is so accurate. People always remember
their pets. After all, they love us unconditionally. At times, it
seems silly how strong our attachment to our pets can be, but
Levin does a great job of showing a realistic portrait of this
bond. Having grown up in a family with a dog, I can certainly
relate to Levin’s feelings of grief and worry with Sprite.
Overall, Levin provokes thought about the shortness of life as
well as how unfair it can be, but leaves readers feeling positive
and reflective about how truly wonderful our short time on
earth can be. Rescuing Sprite is a well written quick read that
any dog owner should pick up. While reading the book, there
are undoubtedly a plethora of emotions, but the book truly
showcases how strong friendship and human connection can
be over a common bond.
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 19
ALUMNI NOTES
Connie Marshner (E 70) is a
visiting fellow at the Heritage
Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Chip M. Shields (E 88) serves
in the Oregon State House
of Representatives and is
chairman of the Public Safety
Subcommittee of Ways and
Means.
Jonathan P. Cody (E 90) is the
executive director for Global
Energy Group in New York, N.Y.
Jonathan S. Morris (E 94) coedited a book called Laughing
Matters: Humor and American
Politics in the Media Age.
Danielle L. Caspar (J 97) is
the editor for Cary Magazine.
The magazine reaches 64,000
individuals living in the Cary and
Western County area of FuquayVarina, N.C.
Biljana A. Prlja (I 97) is a staff
member in the Council of Europe
in Strasbourg, France.
(Top) Greenwich Times Reporter Neil Vigdor (J 98) interviewed presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani on the campaign trail in Connecticut. Vigdor also interviewed Barack
Obama and Mitt Romney. | (Bottom) (l.-r.) Urosh Maksimovich (I 05, B 07), Roseiby Dajer (E 06), Raymond Ratti (B 06) and Carlos Munoz (E 07) celebrate Dajer’s birthday in
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic this past October.
E
– E
ngalitcheff Institute on Comparative
Political & Economic Systems
B
– Institute on Business & Government Affairs
J
– Institute on Political Journalism
P
– Institute on Philanthropy & Voluntary Service
A
– American Institute on Political & Economic
Systems (Prague)
I
– International Institute for Political &
Economic Studies (Greece)
HK
– Asia Institute for Political Economy
(Hong Kong SAR)
CSS
– Capital Semester Spring
CSF – Capital Semester Fall
EJI
– European Journalism Institute (Prague)
EMJI – Euro-Med Journalism Institute (Greece)
Brendan Williams (J 98) is
director of government relations
at the National Petrochemical
and Refiners Association in
Washington, D.C.
Michael P. Calabro (B 99) is a
project director at the Louisiana
Rural Health Association in
Napoleonville, La. He also attends
law school at Loyola University.
Daryl R. Maas (A 99) is president
and co-founder of Farm Power
Northwest LLC, a Washington
State company founded to
protect farmers and farmland by
generating renewable electricity
from dairy manure and other
organic waste.
Amanda Crowell Itliong (P 00)
is the director of leadership
programs for the Haas Center
for Public Service at Stanford
University.
Alessandra Fantoni (I 00) works in
client services at Euroclear where
she is responsible for Italian,
English and French-speaking
clients in Brussels, Belgium.
Alissa R. Swango (J 00, I
02) accepted a position as a
multimedia producer at the
Chicago Tribune.
Sarah W. Wisner (B 00) is in
Sydney, Australia, studying for her
master’s degree in public policy at
the University of Sydney.
Jill N. Averett (B 01, I 02) is an
attorney with Anderson, Kill &
Olick and is engaged to marry
Michael Priscott in August 2008.
Kathryn A. Kelly (E 01) started
her first year of law school at
Columbia University in New
York.
Bill Snyder (J 01) completed a
three-year assignment as city
editor of the Oologah Lake Leader,
a community newspaper in
Oklahoma.
Sarah Buck (P 02) is a special
events assistant at Ober, Onet &
Associates in New York, N.Y.
Dimitrios Chasomeris (I 02) is
studying in Beijing, China, for an
LSE program on international
trade and business.
Kurt R. Couchman (E 02) joined
the Cato Institute as their
government affairs associate and
is studying for a master’s degree
in economics at George Mason
University.
Jeaneane Fountain (B 02) is the
director of industry relations
at the American Beverage
Association in Washington, D.C.
Continued on page 22
Page 20 | TFAStrack Winter 2008
Announcing
The 2008
TFAS
Fellows
Elizabeth Bryant (B 05)
Mary Ellen Burke (J 05)
Aaron Coats (E 00)
John Paul Fox (E 02)
Libby George (J 02, I 03)
Angela Hill (J 02)
Lindsey Hurlbut (B 06)
R. Stuart Jones (E 00)
Davor Kunc (A 02, I 04, E 05)
John Lettieri (E 03)
Sean McAllister (E 99)
Efrat Minivitzki (E 05, CSF 06)
Artur Orkisz (A 99)
Loren Streit (B 05)
Joshua Weed (E 00)
Jenna Welch (J 02, I 03)
TFAS Fellows is a year-long
networking and education
program for young alumni
working in public policy. The
fellows are selected through a
competitive application process.
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 21
ALUMNI NOTES
Vladimir Horovsky (A 02, E
03) received his doctorate
in international relations at
Charles University, where
he focused on economic and
commercial diplomacy. He now
works in global management at
InBev.
Gayle Issa (J 02) is studying for
her master’s degree in broadcast
journalism at Columbia
University in New York, N.Y.
Robert W. Arkell (J 03) joined the
U.S. Army and is currently in
basic training at Fort Jackson,
S.C.
Faysal Itani (I 03, CSS 06) is
studying for his master’s degree
at Johns Hopkins SAIS in
Washington, D.C.
Anton Bakhtyr (A 04) is studying
for his master’s degree in
political science at the Central
European University, Budapest
in Hungary.
Adam Kwasman (CSF 04) is
attending George Mason School
of Law.
Rebecca Markway (J 04) is a
dietetic intern at North Oaks
Medical Center in Hammond,
La.
Andrew McKechnie (B 04)
accepted a health legislative
assistant position in the office of
Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.)
in Washington, D.C.
Katie Schaeffers (J 04)
graduated with a master’s
of science degree in media
and communication from the
London School of Economics
and is a junior event manager
with MVKA Productions in
Vancouver, B.C.
(l.-r). Umesh Nawani, Archana Poddar (I 99) and Jamie Auslander
(A 03, I 04) tour Postcard Row in San Francisco.
Continued on page 23
Kathryn Townsend (E 04)
graduated with a master’s degree
in international relations from
the Postgraduate School of
Economics and International
Relations in Milan, Italy and and
is now an operations manager at
the European-American Business
Council in Washington, D.C.
40th Anniversary Alumni Scholarship Fund
DONATE TODAY AT www.TFAS.org/ASF
SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
The Alumni Scholarship Fund is an annual campaign
through which alumni pool their contributions to
provide scholarships for deserving students.
The Alumni Scholarship Fund helps TFAS attract and
enroll outstanding future leaders, regardless of their
financial circumstances. Last year, more than 75% of
TFAS students received a scholarship. TFAS needs
your help to reach the best and the brightest in 2008.
Support Student Scholarships
(Top) Minnesota alumni enjoy dinner and drinks on the water at Maynard’s. (pictured clockwise from back left) Brad Short (E 05), Aaron Piletz (B 01), Mike Arulfo (E 94, A 95), Carmen
Velarde (E 90), Jessica Rust (P 06) and Amanda Larson (P 06). | (Bottom) (l.-r.) Former IIPES classmates Yara Saab (I 05) and Yossra Taha (I 05) attend the Byblos Autumn School on social
market economy in Beirut, Lebanon together.
40
YEARS
David J. Werner (CSF 04, I 05)
is studying for his master’s
degree in international peace
and conflict resolution at
American University’s School
of International Service in
Washington, D.C.
Hiba S. Zeino (I 04, CSF 05) is
a communications coordinator
for the Brookings Institution in
Doha, Qatar.
Elizabeth I. Bryant (B 05) accepted
a position as a program associate
at the Council on Foreign
Relations in Washington D.C.
Jonathan Cole (E 05) is running for
state representative in Texas. His
campaign website can be found at
www.texansforcole.com.
Damla Cihangir (I 05) is studying
for her master’s degree in
European studies at King’s
College, London.
Joanna Ghosh (E 05) completed
her master’s degree in political
theory from the London School
of Economics and currently
attends law school at The George
Washington University.
Anthony N. Haddad (I 05, J 06)
works as an analyst for Booz
Allen Hamilton in their Middle
East offices. Continued on page 25
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 23
ALUMNI NOTES
Jamal Haidar (I 05, CSF 06) is the financial and
private sector development vice president at The
World Bank in Washington, D.C.
Dessislava H. Hristova (I 05, P 07) is studying for
her doctorate at St. Antony’s College, Oxford
University, under a Chevening scholarship.
David F. Kiren (P 05) was elected student body
president at the University of Wyoming.
Mark Lampton (CSS 05) is an officer in the
United States Army, serving as a Second
Lieutenant. He is currently in training status at
Ft. Benning.
Tricia Miller (J 05) accepted a position as an
embedded reporter in a presidential campaign
with NBC and National Journal. Miller will
travel with top presidential campaigns and will
be required to file twice daily for either National
Journal publications or for MSNBC.com. TFAS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
TO ITS BOARDS OF
TRUSTEES AND REGENTS
Artemis Papatheodorou (I 05) is studying for his
master’s degree in modern Middle Eastern
studies at St. Antony’s College, Oxford
University.
Jessica L. Taylor (J 05) is a staff writer/
online producer with NationalJournal.com in
Washington, D.C.
Mark A. Stansberry (E 76)
Edmond, Okla.
Nikolaos Zirogiannis (I 05) is in his second year
of a master’s degree program in environmental
economics at University of Massachusetts,
Amherst.
REGENTS
Chen Ran Dai (HK 06) is an anchor for Star News
Asia, a news show on the popular English TV
network based in Hong Kong.
TRUSTEE
Julia Chang Bloch
Washington, D.C.
John J. Lee (E 85)
New York, N.Y.
Robert Meissner
Alexandria, Va.
Eric J. Tanenblatt (E 87)
Atlanta, Ga.
Marisa S. McQuilken (J 06) returned to her IPJ
internship site at Legal Times where she now
works as an editorial assistant.
(Top) AIPE alumni discuss politics, including the American presidential election, with TFAS supporter Ron Carmichael last fall over
dinner in Beijing. (pictured l.-r.) Aaron Xu (HK 06), Sophia Yi (HK 06),
Miranda An (HK 07), Carmichael, Sally Song (HK 06, E 07), Sabrina
Mao (HK 07), Allen Li (HK 06) and Frank Cui (HK 07)
(Center) Another TFAS wedding! (l.-r.) Inga Kwiatkowska (A 05, E 06)
and Lukasz Rey (A 05, B 06) walk down the isle in Poland last June.
The couple met while attending AIPES in 2005.
(Bottom) (l.-r). Yuri Mamchur (CSS 04), Matt Durling, Claire (Cary)
Durling (E 01, A 02) and Heena Lakhani (E 02) meet to discuss a new
alumni chapter in Seattle, Wash.
a
The
Results
are in…
This past summer TFAS alumni were asked to fill out an online survey on The
Fund’s alumni affairs initiatives. Nearly 430 people responded to the call.
The intention of the survey was to facilitate TFAS in building the strongest
alumni program possible by providing a better understanding of the strengths
and weaknesses of the alumni program. The results showed that 60% of alumni found the monthly e-newsletter to be
the most popular online feature, with the online directory coming in second at
59%. The most popular feature on both the monthly e-newsletter and the TFAStrack
was the “Alumni News” sections. “I think alumni enjoy seeing where each other are living and working,” said
Communications Director Erin Brett who produces the TFAStrack. “It makes
perfect sense that ‘Alumni News’ would be the leader, and we will continue
to keep this as a major feature in our publications.”
In addition to these publications, 40% of alumni said that they would like
to see a more substantial “Job Bank” on the TFAS website. With its new
“Online Directory,” TFAS hopes that this feature will grow and provide alumni
with useful information.
As for their time with TFAS, 57% of alumni said that the Institutes have
helped them learn professional skills, and 70% still keep in touch with friends
from their Institutes. Many alumni showed an interest in helping out current students with 53%
saying that they were interested in mentoring students, and 54% saying that
they would like to help recruit students at their alma maters.
Overall, alumni had positive feelings towards their time at TFAS with 82%
saying that their Institute helped give them confidence in their prospects for
the future.
“After TFAS, not only did I know more about politics worldwide, but I defined
my political views,” said one anonymous alumnus. “It allowed me to meet
people with different perspectives and learn more from them.”
If you have ideas on how to improve The Fund’s alumni program, contact
Alumni Affairs Coordinator Maura Bennardo at [email protected].
TFAStrack Winter 2008 | Page 25
The FUND for AMERICAN STUDIES
Featured Speakers
• Mitch Daniels
Indiana Governor &
TFAS Trustee Emeritus
• Hon. Janice Rogers Brown
U.S. Court of Appeals for the
D.C. Circuit Court
SAVE THE DATE
Annual Conference and Donor Retreat
April 17-18, 2008
The
Fund for
American
Studies
More Information
www.TFAS.org/april2008
Jane Mack • 800-741-6964
The Fund for American Studies advances the values of freedom, democracy and a free-market
economy by sponsoring educational programs of the highest quality for students with outstanding
leadership potential. These programs include institutes that prepare young people for honorable
leadership by educating them in the theory, practice and benefits of a free society.
track
TFAS
The Fund for American Studies
1706 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20009
• Mark Levin (E 76)
President of Landmark
Legal Foundation &
Syndicated Radio
Talk Show Host