TFAStrack WINTER 2006 - The Fund for American Studies

TFAS
track
WINTER 2006
Inside:
Will Weatherford
and Other
Alumni Win
Federal,
State & Local
Elections! page 18
THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES | TEACHING FREEDOM SINCE 1967
CONTENTS
From Our Chairman and President
As we prepare to celebrate our 40th year, we are increasingly asked: What is it
that sets TFAS apart from other organizations?
There are a number of things that have distinguished us over the years.
TFAS programs are not just weekend or even week-long seminars; they are
summer-long and semester-long.
Our programs aren’t primarily training workshops, but rather fully-accredited
academic programs. Students earn academic credit for studying the ideas that
underpin American government, a free-market economic system, ethics and
other important subjects.
Our programs offer a powerful combination of educational activities:
academic courses, internships that offer practical experience, site briefings,
and lectures by prominent leaders. Students can take the lessons they learn
in the classroom and examine them in light of their internship and other
experiences.
3
Fund students are assigned mentors who give them personal advice about the
best paths to successful careers. The leaders they hear from at briefings and
on campus give them opportunities to learn from those who are in positions
of influence.
What also distinguishes us is our outstanding faculty and the courses they
teach. They are without equal on college campuses. We hire only the very best
professors to teach in our programs. We look for professors whose passion is
teaching students and who are exceptional in their doing so. Many colleges
and universities emphasize research and not teaching. At TFAS, we only hire
faculty with a commitment to the students.
12
Student Journalism Conference
(l.-r.) TFAS President Roger Ream (E 76), Congressman Dana
Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and Chairman Randal Teague help
break ground for the new Victims of Communism Memorial in
Washington, D.C.
Most importantly, our faculty teaches the “permanent things” – the enduring ideas that were the basis of the founding of America and
are, today, essential to the flourishing of free and prosperous societies. David R. Jones, one of the founders of TFAS, stressed that “central
to our mission is freedom – not freedom for some, not freedom for a few, but freedom for all of God’s children.”
18
Our faculty transmits these ideas to young people who aspire to honorable leadership. Without knowledge of these ideas, future leaders
will not be as prepared to tackle the difficult challenges they will face in the coming decades. This is a critical TFAS difference: outstanding faculty teaching enduring ideas.
In this TFAStrack issue, you will hear from our most senior professor, “Uncle” George Viksnins who is featured in this edition’s “Faculty
Conversations.” Viksnins began teaching in our Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems in 1974. With the
exception of two years when he took sabbaticals, he has been a part of our faculty ever since. He is beloved by our alumni who regularly
tell us he was the best professor they had in their college years. We know you will enjoy this interview.
During this 40th anniversary year, we will continue to highlight our faculty in our publications and at our events. In addition to TFAStrack,
look for publications such as our new e-newsletter Making the Difference and our Teaching Freedom that highlight faculty, students, alumni and
supporters. They are what we consider the “TFAS difference.”
Sincerely,
Randal C. Teague
Roger R. Ream
Chairman
President
THE TFAS DIFFERENCE
5
Charleston Leadership Network
COVER
Alumni Win Elections
FEATURES
6
16
Live, Learn, Intern: Capital Semester
Faculty Q & A: Uncle George
First Euro-Med Journalism Institute
14
18
Mind Changing Books
Alumni Notes
track
TFAS
Editor & Designer
Erin Brett
Creative Director
Renee Hamlen
Contributors
Maura Bennardo
Steve Slattery
Scott Slusher
Ed Turner
Photography
Scavone Photography
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 1
RECRUIT
Alumni are Key in Recruiting DC Institutes’ Class of 2007
Following record-breaking numbers of
applications in the past three years, The
Fund for American Studies is working
to make 2007 another banner year for
student recruitment.
“One of our greatest resources is our
alumni network,” said Recruitment
and Admissions Manager Mary
Connell. “They’re able to spread the
word about TFAS by sharing their own
experiences.”
who have already begun the application
process.
Alumni Ambassadors will be asked to
contact students who have been accepted
to an Institute, answer questions and
encourage them to enroll and attend.
Ambassadors’ names, alma maters
and hometowns will also be listed on
the dcinternships.org websites, so that
prospective students may contact them
directly.
In 2006, alumni referred more than 50
of the 333 students who enrolled in the
summer programs.
“When you experience something great,
you want to share it,” said Rudy Cope
(P 99). “TFAS had a profound influence
on my life and gave me direction in terms
of what I’d be looking for in a career.”
Cope has marketed the Georgetown
Institutes to students at Wabash College
(l.-r.) Institute on Business and Government Affairs Assistant Lauren Crawford (E 04) and Recruitment Manager Mary Connell welcome the class of 2006
to Georgetown University.
There are many ways for alumni to
help. Those still on campuses can make
presentations at their schools, and alumni
who are out of school can send emails to
their alma maters or identify collegeaged students who are key candidates.
Alumni are also encouraged to market
TFAS programs directly to students by
nominating them through an online
form. These students will receive
priority consideration in admissions and
scholarship decisions.
TFAS makes it easy for all alumni to
recruit prospective students for the
Washington Institutes.
TFAS keeps track of the origin of student
applications and alumni nominations
and rewards top recruiters through
the Alumni Recruitment Contest. The
grand prize for the 2007 program is a
free trip to Washington, D.C. for the June
29-30 Alumni Weekend. To nominate a
student and register to win, visit the The
Fund’s website at www.TFAS.org.
Alumni may sign up for the Alumni
Ambassador program, which puts them
directly in touch with student applicants.
Through this program, alumni help
TFAS better communicate with students
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 2
160 Student Journalists Attend Campaigns and
Elections Conference in D.C.
Journalism students from across
the country attended a three-day
conference in Washington, D.C.,
entitled Covering Politics and
Elections. The seminar, sponsored
by The Fund for American
Studies, reached record breaking
attendance with more than 160
students participating. The event
took place from Nov. 9-11 on
Capitol Hill.
Held just days after the 2006 midterm elections, the conference
explored coverage of the House
and Senate races, political issues
that shaped the elections and what
this election cycle will mean for the
upcoming presidential campaigns.
Political journalists with years of
experience covering Congress
and the White House shared their
insight on how to accurately report
on national politics. Fred Barnes,
executive editor of The Weekly
Standard and co-host of Fox News’
Beltway Boys, and Frank Sesno,
CNN special correspondent and
former Washington bureau chief,
were two of the headliners.
Seasoned journalists from the
Washington Times, USA TODAY and
the National Journal also shared their
experiences with students.
Former Rep. Linda Smith (RWash.) gave an impromptu briefing
at the Capitol. Students also took
part in a career workshop, which
included sessions by experts in
the fields of print, broadcast and
public relations.
In addition, several alumni,
including WTOP Radio Producer
Sara D’Angelo (J 04) and ABC
News White House Producer
Karen Travers (J 99) spoke.
“I had a fabulous weekend
in Washington,” said student
Lauren Reddy. “I had an interest
in political journalism before I
attended, but now I am sure that I
want to pursue it as a career.”
TFAS holds regional conferences
each year in addition to its summer
IPJ Institute in an effort to reach
more young journalists and teach
them about the importance of
honest and accurate reporting.
where he has worked for the past
six years. This fall, he nominated 20
students!
“I love going home and knowing I
made a difference in someone’s life,” he
concluded.
NOMINATE A
STUDENT ONLINE
WWW.TFAS.ORG
HONEST
JOURNALISM
(above) Donald Lambro of the Washington Times speaks on a
panel with Morgan Felchner, editor of Campaigns & Elections.
(below) Frank Sesno, CNN special correspondent and former
Washington bureau chief answers questions after his address.
Board Members Pledge
$400,000 to Expand
Journalism Program
In response to the growing problem
of bias and unethical reporting in the
mainstream media, TFAS is launching
a campaign to expand its Institute on
Political Journalism.
The goal is to double the number
of IPJ students from 90 to 180. If
the fundraising goals are met, TFAS
seeks to expand IPJ into the spring
and fall semesters, with 45 students
per semester.
To achieve this goal, members of
The Fund’s Boards of Trustees and
Regents have pledged $400,000 as
a matching grant. This means every
dollar that TFAS raises by March 1,
2007 to expand IPJ will be matched,
dollar for dollar, by members of the
Boards.
“Even one objective voice can
have a huge impact,” said Trustee
Fred Barnes of Fox News and
The Weekly Standard. “With this
expanded program in place, IPJ will
be graduating 180 aspiring young
journalists every year. Just imagine
the impact this new generation of
reporters will have on our media.”
To contribute, click on “Support
TFAS” at www.TFAS.org.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 3
HONG KONG
Capital Semester Students
More than 60 Students Attend Institute in Asia
Participate in Private Briefing
There are few places where a person
can find sandy beaches, lush mountains,
waterfalls AND skyscrapers. However,
this rare combination of scenic beauty
and big city metropolis is what serves as
the backdrop for TFAS students in Hong
Kong each summer. And, no city is more
symbolic of the success of capitalism.
With Rep. Flake
This year, 61 students from 13
countries attended the Asia Institute for
Political Economy, The Fund’s newest
international program. Only four years
old, the Institute is already beginning to
make its mark in Asia.
Students enjoy the view from Victoria Peak.
“Hong Kong is a city that brings together
regional tradition and modernity, which
is a key reason students from across
Asia and the U.S. are interested in the
program,” said AIPE Manager Jay
Goossen. “Its vitality and prosperity
also sends an important signal about the
benefits of a free-market economy.”
From July 28 - August 19, students
attended classes on political economy,
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 4
global trade and American studies, as
well as guest lectures by business leaders
and professors from the University of
Hong Kong. The largest contingent of
students came from mainland China,
whose economy is experiencing dramatic
growth and whose people are beginning
to gain more personal freedom. The
Institute gives these students the
opportunity to explore the principles
of a free economy and democratic
government.
On September 28, students in the Fall
Capital Semester program attended a
private briefing with Rep. Jeff Flake
(R-Ariz.) at the U.S. Capitol. Flake
discussed topics such as limiting
government spending and eliminating
earmarks to allow more oversight of the
appropriations process.
The largest class to date, 37 students
attended this fall’s program. Students
came from 11 countries: Albania,
Columbia, Germany, Greece, Israel,
Lebanon, Poland, Romania, Serbia, the
Slovak Republic and the United States.
Featured speakers included Regina Ip,
Hong Kong SAR’s former secretary for
security and the current chairperson of
the Savantas Policy Institute, and Dr.
Ronnie Chan, chairman of the Hang
Lung Group and chairman of the Better
Hong Kong Foundation. The former
Solicitor General of Hong Kong SAR
Daniel Fung also spoke, as well as TFAS
alumna Dr. Rachel Yould (E 93) of the
Oxford International Review.
On August 8, students networked
with alumni in the area at a reception
held at Hong Kong’s famous HSBC
building. HSBC’s director of human
resources and TFAS alumnus Mike
Webb (E 89) sponsored the event on
the top floor of the building. Other
HSBC representatives addressed guests
including Paul Lai, managing director
of investment banking, and Rod Sykes,
managing director of debt finance for
the Asia Pacific region.
“The group of students and alumni were
engaging,” said Webb. “It was great
meeting these young professionals from
literally all ends of the earth.”
This year, TFAS has partnered with
Chapman University in Orange County,
Calif. Chapman has agreed to promote
TFAS programs to its students and
TFAS has ensured spots for qualified
students from Chapman.
(top) Regina Ip, Hong Kong SAR’s former
secretary for security and the current
chairperson of the Savantas Policy Institute,
speaks with members of the local media after
delivering a lecture to students.
(above) (l.-r.) Students Kazuto Nakajima and
Kazue Matsubara from Japan dress up in
traditional Japanese attire to perform a skit at
the popular Cultural Presentations Dinner.
Dr. Andrew Morriss was new to the
faculty this year, leading the political
economy component, and Dr. James
Lengle returned to Hong Kong for
his third year, teaching the American
Studies portion of the program. Morriss
is a professor of law and business at
the University of Illinois. Lengle is an
associate professor in the government
department at Georgetown University in
Washington, D.C.
The partnership with Chapman is a
first for TFAS and led to four students
attending the fall program. More
students will join the spring program,
as well.
“I chose to come to TFAS because of the
publicity around Chapman’s campus,”
Chapman student Samantha Lohman
said. “My political science professor
informed me that students enjoyed
TFAS programs more than other study
abroad programs my school was offering.
That was a huge selling point,” she said.
During their time in Washington, the
students attended briefings at the White
House and the State Department. They
LIVE.
LEARN.
INTERN.
also heard from Washington experts
during a weekly lecture series. Speakers
included former Sen. Slade Gorton (RWash.) and Christopher Harmon, the
Kim T. Adamson Chair of Insurgency
and Terrorism at the Marine Corps
University.
Students took in the local culture by
attending a Nationals baseball game
and a Capitals hockey game. They also
toured the International Spy Museum
and participated in a service project at
the DC Central Kitchen.
Networking events with area alumni
allowed students to meet with
Washington professionals. Students
attended an election night party at
TFAS Headquarters, and local alumni
volunteered to take part in the student
mentor program.
(top) Students tour the U.S. Capitol building.
(above) Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) speaks at a
private briefing.
This year, Dr. Steven Hayward took
over the teaching Theories of Constitutional
Interpretation upon the retirement of
Dr. Roger Pilon of the Cato Institute.
Hayward serves as an F.K. Weyerhaeuser
Fellow at the American Enterprise
Institute and is a senior fellow at the
Pacific Research Institute for Public
Policy.
Hayward formerly taught the Public
Affairs Internship Seminar, which was
taught this fall by a new faculty member,
Dr. Ken Masugi, speechwriter and
former visiting professor and lecturer of
political science.
Dr. Thomas Rustici taught Economics and
Public Policy Problems. Rustici also teaches
economics at George Mason University.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 5
FACULTY CONVERSATIONS
Since they understand those very well, and
Q: What has kept you interested in ICPES all these
turned out to be one of our most distinguished
When that reversed, about seven or eight years
some of them are quite challenging, that
years?
alumni, Ilmars Rimsevics (E 89). He is now the
ago with the U.S. dollar falling and the euro
governor of the Latvian Central Bank.
being introduced and rising, it still meant that
is what they teach. But there should be an
introductory course that, for many students,
A: It’s a challenge to teach because there is a
is going to be the only economics course they
wide variety of intellectual capability as well
Q: You have been involved in developing the Latvian
much full credit for having helped them to
will ever take. That introductory course ought
as backgrounds. At Georgetown, the student
currency. In fact, I am told there is a video of you
do that.
to have some value in and of itself, not just be
body is pretty uniform, pretty homogeneous.
explaining the monetary system in a museum of the
the first step on a movement to an advanced
Nearly everyone is a very fine student, with
Bank of Latvia. Tell us about that work.
degree in economics.
good SAT scores, et cetera. If they don’t get it,
Q: What is the most important message you are trying
The one thing in Latvia that has worked well
is currency. Back in the bad old days in the
most of the time it is basically because they are
A: When I got there in 1992 as a consultant
Soviet system, even if you had a suitcase full of
lazy and not willing to work.
paid for by the U.S. government, there was
rubles, it didn’t make much difference because
to get across in your class?
Dr. George J. Viksnins has taught Comparative Economic Systems in the ICPES program for more than 30
years. He is beloved by countless students who affectionately refer to him as “Uncle George.” Viksnins has
taught economics at Georgetown University since 1964. He has served as a consultant to the Federal Reserve,
the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Bank and IMF. He received The Fund’s Walter Judd
Freedom Award in 2002. In 1992, he began working as a consultant to the National Bank of Latvia – a position,
which later, earned him the Order of the Three Stars, an award given to him by the president of Latvia in
2004. Viksnins and his wife Mara (pictured on page 8) have four children and seven grandchildren. He was
interviewed by TFAS Communications Manager Erin Brett.
the Lats was quite stable. And I take pretty
very little knowledge of either banking or
you may not have been able to buy anything
With ICPES, you have some students who are
monetary policy in the country because the
with those rubles unless you had permission
A: I say at the very beginning that I hope that
economics majors from Ivy League schools.
building that the Bank of Latvia inherited had
from the government, so it was not enough to
some of the conservatives in the group, and
Then, you have people who are in junior
been the branch office of the Moscow Central
have the money whereas here, it is enough to
there are quite a few, develop some compassion
colleges who have just completed a year of
Bank or the Gosbank as it is called.
have the money.
and that the liberals in the group develop some
economics, but that year might not have had
common sense. Those two things, compassion
much substance to it. I know that I don’t reach
So to turn an out-of-the-way office of the
Q: I hear that poker and tennis are the activities you
and common sense are very useful.
all of them, but I at least make an honest effort
Gosbank, a part of the Soviet Central Bank,
enjoy. Are these your favorite leisure activities?
Q: Have you noticed a change in the opinions and
views of your students after taking your course?
Q: First, I would like to ask which economists have
doesn’t have a heart, and anyone who is not a
A: Yes. Most of the time they become a bit
influenced you the most?
conservative after the age of 50 has no brain.
more conservative. But I think I can also
mention a couple of cases where the students,
Joseph
I sort of went along with that; although I was
very bright students, rebelled against too
Schumpeter, a famous Austrian economist
never a flaming liberal to begin with, but I
heavy a message and became doctrinaire
who taught for many years at Harvard. I have
have become more conservative. Some of the
liberals. In fact, one of them is my godson who
written some about him, and I have a “famous”
negative views of the media commentators
became not only a flaming liberal, but also a
lecture where I talked about his career.
seem to be getting sillier.
vegetarian. And I am not by any stretch of the
A:
My
favorite
economist
is
imagination a vegetarian.
He claimed that he had set himself three goals
Q: What are your thoughts about the way economics
in life: to be the greatest economist in the
is taught for undergraduates? Has it become merely a
world, to be the best horseman in all of Austria
branch of mathematics?
Q: How has ICPES changed over the years?
THROUGH THE YEARS
so I’m not just teaching for the top ten students
into a modern, sophisticated central bank
A: This table we are sitting at is my poker
and the greatest lover in all of Vienna. He said
A: It has become a lot more competitive. We
in the class. But I would say the top 80 or 90
took some doing. I especially am proud of
table, and I also enjoy bridge now. I play
he had reached two of his goals, but he never
A: I could talk for three hours on this topic
have many, many students applying from very,
anyway. And that is quite a challenge.
the fact that I suggested a way of defining the
bridge nearly every day down at school with a
said which two. He was an economist with a
easily. Yes, I think it is a shame that we don’t
very good schools. When I started, about 30
currency. The Lats was pegged to the special
bunch of colleagues, a couple of historians, a
really have senior faculty members teaching
years ago, many of the students were just
The ICPES staff and the Board are very,
drawing rights (SDR), which is special money
mathematician and three or four economists.
the basic economics courses and talking about
coming to get the name Georgetown on their
very nice people. We see eye to eye in terms
invented by the IMF.
We sort of rotate in and out at lunchtime. We
Q: Have your views on economics evolved over the
economics and policy and a little bit of history.
resumes because they were coming from some
of our view of the world. They have been
years?
Many of the younger colleagues know very
rather unknown schools. Now we can be much
very obliging about doing outreach to parts
And so that particular experiment worked
having a three-martini lunch, which I guess
little about economics or economic history.
more selective. We also have a more generous
of Eastern Europe that are of interest to me.
extremely successfully because as the dollar
businessmen sometimes are known to have, we
The only things that they’ve been taught are
budget, so we can offer reasonable amounts of
Pretty much every year I’ve had a student from
was rising and the Deutschmark was falling,
have a brown bag lunch with tomato juice.
mathematical proofs.
scholarship funding, which we could not do 25
Latvia come to the ICPES program, going all
the Lats was floating in between the two.
years ago. It makes a difference.
the way back to 1989. In fact, that first student
sense of humor.
A: Yes, I think I’ve become more right wing
with the passage of time. There is a saying
that a man who is not a liberal before age 40
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 6
bring along a brown bag lunch. Instead of
continued on page 8
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 7
Remembering Nobel Economist Milton Friedman
UNCLE
GEORGE
economist, so he couldn’t say, ‘but on the other
a standing challenge for the students that any
hand...’” You know those kinds of jokes.
duos could challenge us to a mixed doubles
game. Quite a few people on the Board of
American cigarettes maybe, and they would
Q: You have been an extremely popular professor. To
become your friends for the next several years
what do you attribute your popularity?
and save cheese for you.
The Fund were also interested in tennis.
It has been both challenging and rewarding
A: I think the students realize that I’m serious
to be part of the growth of The Fund for
Q: You are known for your wit in the classroom. What
about teaching, and that I greatly believe in
American Studies and the ICPES program
are some of your best-known punch lines?
such things as integrity, and honesty – all those
in particular. There is a large group of TFAS
kinds of things that sound a little corny.
alumni that is very dedicated and loyal to
A: You know that economics is fairly dismal
But I think the students sense that, and they
experience can be duplicated for their kids
levity, a little bit of humor, it makes it go down
realize that if they work hard, I would be
– and grandkids.
more easily.
happy to give them high grades and write
recommendations for them.
I have some standard things that I say about
“if your outgo exceeds your income, then
I think over the years my attitude also has
your upkeep will be your downfall,” or,
changed somewhat in the way that I interact.
“Harry Truman always wanted a one-armed
Speaking of tennis, my wife and I used to have
Shortly after his interview, Viksnins learned of the
passing of Economist Milton Friedman.“I would
certainly add him to a short list of economists
that I have greatly admired,” commented Viksnins.
“Indeed, I have met ‘Uncle Miltie’ in person, and
also his wife Rose, on a project in the mid-1950s
– wonderful couple!”
New Dean Continues Georgetown Partnership
Earlier this year, Georgetown University named Dr. Robert L. Manuel
its new Dean of Continuing Studies. Manuel has embraced The Fund’s
partnership with Georgetown and pledged to continue working with
TFAS. This summer, he spoke to TFAS students at both orientation and
commencement.
Manuel oversees Georgetown University’s summer programs as well
as its professional and continuing education programs. He also runs
the school’s Clarendon, Va. campus. He came to Georgetown from
New York University where he was the assistant dean and clinical
associate professor at NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional
Studies.
Dr. Robert Manuel speaks at the Georgetown Institute commencement
ceremony.
Manuel holds a bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College, a master’s
from Syracuse University and a doctorate in higher education
administration from NYU.
“Milton
Friedman
deserves
much credit for the collapse of
communism because his writings
helped to discredit the ideas of
central planning,” said Ream. “In
addition to helping win the war of
ideas, Friedman took ideas from the
halls of academe to the streets.”
He wrote extensively on public
policy and was a lifelong advocate
of human freedom. His ideas had
a major influence on both Ronald
Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, and
were the model for the free-market
reforms undertaken in Estonia
and other European countries as
they emerged from communist
domination in the early 1990s.
Ream also noted that Friedman
argued eloquently that throughout
history free markets have meant
much more to the poor than to the
rich.
Fund President Roger Ream noted
that the ideas of Milton Friedman
are among those TFAS tries to
impress upon students each summer.
the program, and I hope that their positive
and boring, so I think if you inject a little bit of
The Fund for American Studies
notes in sadness the death of
Nobel Laureate Economist Milton
Friedman (1912-2006). Friedman
was widely regarded as the leader of
the Chicago School of Economics,
making important contributions to
the science of economics.
Milton Friedman dancing with his wife Rose during the NobelBall at the Stockholm City Hall on Dec. 12, 1976.
“
“Fame, glory and honor is no solace to the
dead. They’re just as dead. But the prospect of
eternal honor and fame certainly blessed Milton
Friedman’s days on this earth as long as he lived.
He was the wittiest and most vivacious person I
ever met.”
– IPJ Board of Visitors Member
Rich Thomas of Newsweek
“A society that puts equality
before freedom will get neither. A
society that puts freedom before
equality will get a high degree of
both,” commented Friedman in an
upcoming biography scheduled to
air in early 2007.
TRIBUTE
“I will personally miss a dear friend, but he will
serve eternally for me and countless others as a
source of towering inspiration.”
“I was able to see Milton Friedman speak during
my summer with TFAS. He definitely had a lot to do
with the development of my economic and political
philosophy in the early 80s, which has essentially
stayed the same until this day.”
– The Aliance for School Choice
Clint Bolick (E 78)
– Alumni Council Member
Vern McKinley (E 84)
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 9
Donor Profile: Ron Hart (E 81)
LET FREEDOM
RING
(left) Robin Beard is honored with a lecture in his name. (right) (l.-r.) President Roger Ream (E 76), Trustee Mike Thompson,
Robin Beard, Kathy Beard and Chairman Randal Teague celebrate at a dinner in Charleston, S.C.
Lecture Named for Former Trustee
On October 6, TFAS honored Robin Beard, a long-time
supporter and former trustee, by establishing a lecture in his
name that will occur every summer during the ICPES program.
TFAS Chairman Randy Teague and President Roger Ream
(E 76) recognized Beard and announced the Robin Beard
Lecture on U.S.-European Relations during the Leadership
Network conference.
“We are honored to announce the establishment of the Robin
Beard Lecture on U.S.-European Relations,” said Chairman
Teague. “It recognizes Robin not only for his service to
his country and to TFAS, but also for his years of work to
strengthen the transatlantic alliance that has been so vital to the
cause of freedom.”
Beard sat on the TFAS Board of Trustees from 1988-1991. He
served in the U.S. Marine Corps, as a member of Congress
from 1973 through 1983, and as the Assistant Secretary
General of NATO in Brussels. He and his wife Kathy reside near
Charleston, S.C.
“Robin has been a friend and supporter of The Fund even
while holding positions of major importance in the world,” said
Ream. “On several occasions he joined us in Prague and spent
hours with young people who had grown up under communism,
emphasizing the importance of freedom and encouraging them
to make a difference in the world.”
TFAS Continues Meyer Society Legacy
On September 26, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) spoke at an offthe-record dinner discussion held at TFAS Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. This event was part of a tradition started
in 1992 by the late David R. Jones, former TFAS president.
The group, called the Frank Meyer Society, includes leaders
from political and policy communities who get together
monthly to discuss current events affecting the country. At
the dinner, a guest speaker, such as a congressman, senator,
White House official or leading journalist, offers opening
remarks to spark a roundtable discussion.
The Meyer Society is named after the late Frank Meyer, cofounding editor of the National Review. Meyer is best known
for his “fusionist” theory, which combines elements of
libertarianism and traditionalist Judeo-Christian values.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 10
(r.-l.) President Roger
Ream (E 76) and Rep.
Mike Pence (R-Ind.) at
the September Meyer
Society gathering
Past speakers:
Associate Justice Clarence Thomas
Sen. Trent Lott (Miss.)
Hon. Jack Kemp
Rep. Dick Armey (Texas)
Sen. John McCain (Ariz.)
Sen. John Ashcroft (Mo.)
Gov. Jim Gilmore
Rep. Tom Davis (Va.)
Robert Novak
Gov. Mitch Daniels
Michael Barone
Rep. Lamar Alexander (Tenn.)
Rep. Patrick Toomey (Pa.)
Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.)
Sen. George Allen (Va.)
Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.)
Rep. Mike Pence (Ind.)
Ron Hart came to The Fund for
American Studies in 1981 as a student
in the Engalitcheff Institute
on Comparative Political and
Economic Systems (ICPES). Now
a financial advisor in Atlanta, Hart
began contributing financially
to TFAS in 1995 and joined the
Board of Regents in 2004.
Hart first heard about TFAS
from his childhood friend Ed
Lancaster (E 80) who participated
in ICPES while at Vanderbilt.
Originally from Columbia, Tenn.,
Hart attended the University of
Memphis where he was active
in the College Republicans and
was elected president of Student
Government. During school, Hart
was fortunate to meet then Rep.
Don Sundquist, TFAS trustee and
later governor of Tennessee, who also
encouraged him to apply to ICPES.
During his summer with TFAS, Hart
interned with Bill Brock, the U.S.
trade representative in the Reagan
SUPPORTER NEWS
administration. “My time with The Fund
taught me a great deal and provided me
providing a scholarship each summer to a
student from Tennessee. “I look at these
scholarships as investments in our
country’s future. I know what The
Fund did for me, and I know what
a difference it can make for others,”
Hart said.
After graduating, Hart earned
an MBA and went to work for
Goldman Sachs in New York. He
has been in the investment field
ever since, working for Citigroup in
Atlanta for the past seven years. In
September 2006, he was recognized
as one of America’s Top 10
Financial Advisors.
Ron Hart meets Indianapolis Colts Quarterback
Peyton Manning at a golf outing.
with friendships that have lasted to this
day,” Hart explained. “I wanted to give
back, so that others could experience what
I experienced.”
In 2002, Hart began writing a
weekly column that now appears
in 22 newspapers with a combined
circulation of more than 350,000.
Hart describes his columns as humorous
political ramblings with a P. J. O’Rourke
flare. (Complimentary subscriptions to
his column are available by emailing
[email protected].)
In 2001, Hart and his wife Jackie began
Teaching America’s first principles
through a charitable gift annuity
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Compare the following TFAS rates to the
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90+...................................................11.3
(left) Regent Mike Thompson Jr. (E 89, A 93), Chairman Randal Teague and Vice Chairman Mike
Thompson take in the the fall weather and Charleston charm. (right) Charlie Mahtesian, editor of the
Almanac of American Politics, speaks to conference guests.
Mark Stansberry (E 76) and his wife Nancy steal the show at
Magnolia Plantation, singing songs Mr. Stansberry wrote.
(left) Guests enjoy a horse drawn carriage tour of the historic district. (right) Sen. Jim Ritchie (E 83)
speaks to guests at the conference.
Charleston
2006 Leadership Network
HOLD THE DATE
(l.-r.) Trustee Jim Culbertson and his longtime friend Bruce
Skidmore, who hosted a dinner at the Carolina Yacht Club for
guests in Charleston, attend a conference session.
2007 Leadership Network
October 12 - 14 • Colorado Springs
On Saturday, October 7, Jim Ritchie
(E 83) welcomed fellow TFAS alumni,
supporters and board members to his
home state. The South Carolina state
senator served as the keynote speaker at
the Leadership Network conference in
Charleston, S.C.
“What makes The Fund important is
its founding vision of embracing the
ideals of the nation and providing the
skills necessary to the rising generation
to advance the causes of freedom and
free markets,” Ritchie said. “It provided
a strong foundation for me and scores of
others.”
Ritchie delivered his remarks on the
veranda of the 17th Century Magnolia
Plantation during the Leadership
Network conference held October 6-7.
The Saturday night event proved to be
the highlight of the weekend. Guests
toured the 17th century plantation and
enjoyed a southern style buffet dinner
on the wrap-around veranda.
(l.-r.) TFAS supporter Lee Henningsen, Board of Regents
Co-Chair Mary McCarthy and Vice President of Development
Ed Turner receive their award for coming in first place in the
Governors’ Golf Cup Tournament .
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 12
Alan Gottlieb (E 70) and his wife Julianne of Bellevue,
Wash. tour the 17th Century Magnolia Plantation house.
John Lee (E 85) announced the winners
of the Governors’ Golf Cup Tournament
held earlier in the day. A blue grass band
added to the festivities. Guests included
a father and son alumni duo Mike (E 81)
and Andrew (B 06) Shealy, Charleston
native Baron Fain (E 83) and his fiancé
Courtenay.
Amid activities that took advantage
of the history and southern charm of
Charleston, participants were asked to
focus on TFAS and the future of the
organization as well.
The conference began with an
interactive visioning session that aimed
to gather input for use in the TFAS
strategic plan. A facilitator led attendees
through a brainstorming session looking
20 years out.
Meetings of the Board of Trustees and
Alumni Council were also held during
the conference.
Session speakers brought thoughtprovoking concepts to the table and
included:
• Charlie Mahtesian, editor of the
Almanac of American Politics, and his
talk “One Month Out: 2006 Election
Outlook”
S.C. State Sen.
Jim Ritchie
Headlines
Leadership
Network
• Dr. Michael Cox of the Dallas Federal
Reserve Board and his discussion,
“The Imagination Age: Economic
Trends of the Future”
• Economist Scott Clemons of Brown
Brothers Harriman, who drew a
parallel between the impacts of the
printing press to that of digital new
media
• Steven Hayward of the American
Enterprise Institute who discussed
ideas of leadership from the
perspectives of Lincoln, Churchill and
Reagan
TFAS also honored alumnus Kevin
Kellems (E 86) with the 2006 Alumni
Achievement Award. Kellems, who
serves as senior advisor to World
Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, was
selected because of his professional
achievement. In addition, to his work
at the World Bank, Kellems formerly
worked as communications director and
press secretary for Vice President Dick
Cheney.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 13
BOOKS
mind-changing
The Following is a review written by alumna Tanja Stumberger (A 04, H 05, CSF 05) about TFAS Professor Steven F. Hayward’s latest book,
Greatness: Reagan, Churchill, and the Making of Extraordinary Leaders.
Stumberger attended Hayward’s class while participating in The Fund’s Capital Semester program in 2005. She came to TFAS from Slovenia and now works as a research and communications assistant for both the Center for Trade Policy Studies and the Center for Global
Liberty and Prosperity at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C. Stumberger credits TFAS and Hayward for sparking her interest in free
markets and individual liberty and is grateful to Hayward for inspiring her to become more vocal and active in her pursuits.
Hayward teaches Theories of Constitutional Interpretation for Capital Semester and was a guest speaker at the Leadership Network in
Charleston, S.C. this past fall. He serves as an F.K. Weyerhaeuser Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. and is a
senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy. He specializes in the environment, law, public policy and the presidency.
Hayward has been a guest on programs and networks including ABC News, C-Span, Fox News and NPR. His articles have appeared
in the Washington Journal, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the National
Review and The Weekly Standard. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and administrative studies from Lewis and Clark
College and received both a master’s in government and a doctorate in American studies from Claremont Graduate School.
Ronald Reagan and Winston Churchill were truly
extraordinary twentieth century leaders. With Greatness,
Steven F. Hayward confidently and skillfully dives beneath
their superficial differences to unwrap unexplored,
remarkable parallels between two of history’s giants.
President Reagan quoted or mentioned Winston Churchill
more than 150 times during his presidency - more often than all
other presidents put together. He fully absorbed the lessons of
Churchill’s timeless statecraft, most vividly in the book’s central
connecting thread: Reagan’s approach to the Cold War.
Hayward walks us through surprising parallels between Reagan’s
and Churchill’s lives.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 14
These include:
• Poor school performances in their early years followed
by inspirational political self-education
• Uneasiness with their fathers, warmth with their
mothers, and disconnection from their children
• Remote and solitary personalities that resulted in only a
handful of friendships
• Nearly facing death due to serious illness;
• Artistic talents
• Fondness for vigorous outdoor labor
• Labor union memberships
• Incredibly similar political and economic philosophies
• Incredible speech-writing abilities – they slaved over
them – and the ability to embrace audiences with
•
•
magical rhetoric that transformed wisdom into actions
and created hope for people
Courageous political party switches that each followed
nearly identical seismic shifts in their political beliefs,
resulting in distrust by their parties’ establishments
Seeing the necessity of reaching an honest settlement
with the Soviet Union.
In exploring the fascinating side-by-side comparison, Hayward
reveals to us the greatness of both men. Even though they
were both highly controversial during their political lives,
history has acknowledged their remarkable characters -- fierce
independence of judgment, overpowering sense of personal
and national destiny, audacious imagination, and willingness to
challenge conventional wisdom of their time. In necessary (war)
times, statesmen like these two reveal their greatness through
their ability to shape history to their wills. Reagan and Churchill
offer this valuable - almost mystical - lesson to both current and
future statesmen.
Hayward’s Greatness is a pleasurable, unique, and addictive read
that leaves the reader in thrilled expectation of his upcoming
book The Age of Reagan: Lion at the Gate.
(left) Dr. Steven F. Hayward and Tanja Stumberger (A 04, H 05, CSF 05) at the
Leadership Network in Charleston (right) Hayward teaches class to Capital
Semester students.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 15
CROATIA
GOING
GLOBAL
Scores Attend First
Euro-Med
Journalism Institute
Forty-two journalists and journalism
students from Europe, the Eastern
Mediterranean, the Middle East and
the United States came together in
Greece to explore media coverage in
the region.
The inaugural Euro-Med Journalism
Institute (EMJI) was held in Athens
and the Island of Andros from
September 16-24. The program
trained the participants on the
importance of ethical reporting
as well as how to effectively cover
sensitive cultural and political stories.
Greece, welcomed the participants to
his home in Athens for dinner and a
lecture on foreign policy.
A briefing with diplomats and
representatives from the European
Union, NATO and the World Bank
served as a highlight of the program.
The session covered international
organizations and relations with the
media.
TFAS alumna Dr. Rachel Yould (E
93) led the faculty and lectured on
the principles a free press and ethics
in the fast-changing world of new
media. Yould is editor-in-chief of the
Oxford International Review.
“The week in Greece was an amazing
opportunity for young journalists
to come together and learn about
issues plaguing the journalism world
at this moment,” said International
Programs Director Michelle Jeffress
(J 95, A 96). “I think there is a great
need for a better understanding
about the ethics in reporting and this
Institute helped raise awareness.”
Guest
speaker
Bruce
Clark,
international news section editor and
religious affairs correspondent at The
Economist, led a discussion on covering
intercultural and religious issues.
Several journalists who attended
the program published pieces on
EMJI in their local papers, which
included periodicals in both Malta
and Georgia.
In addition, journalists met with
representatives of the two major
Greek parties at the Greek Parliament
during a private briefing with a
question and answer session.
The program was sponsored by
TFAS 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.
Thomas Countryman, Deputy Chief
of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 16
“ETHICALLY
RESPONSIBLE
LOBBYING”
Croatian Alumni Organize Regional Conference
On November 3-5, alumni in Croatia held a regional conference
entitled “Ethical and Responsible Lobbying in Business and
Politics.” Over 50 alumni and friends representing 15 countries,
including TFAS Director of International Programs Michelle
Jeffress (J 95, A 96), attended the three-day symposium held at
the Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.
The chapter’s executive board, led by Davor Kunc (A 02, I 04,
E 05), spearheaded the event in an effort to promote an exchange
of perspectives, offering regional alumni an opportunity to
network and stay connected with each other.
(top) Participants visit the Acropolis in Athens.
(center) (l.-r.) Dr. Ioannis Strivis, legal advisor for the
International Centre for Black Sea Studies; Dr. Stephanos
Vallianatos, deputy director of the Department of International Relations and annexes abroad for the Hellenic
Foundation for Culture; Hon. Byron Theodoropoulos,
former secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic; and Hon. Dusan Batakovic,
ambassador at large and special advisor to the president
of Serbia, speak on a panel during the program.
(bottom) Journalists visit the General Secretariat of
Press of Greece.
“I found the participants to be internationally balanced, and I
enjoyed discussions with them,” said Ondrej Socuvka (A 02, CSS
04, E 04). “There were many new young leaders getting together
thanks to Davor’s initiative and the work of the chapter”
The curriculum included topics relating to lobbying techniques
with a focus on the best practices from the United States, EU
and Croatia.
“Our objective was to teach young professionals to recognize the
importance of regulated and ethical lobbying for the purposes
(left) (l.-r.) Croatia Chapter Vice President Filip Ljubic (I 01); Executive
Director of Political Affairs of the American Hospital Association
Mark Seklecki; Cultural Affairs Assistant for the U.S. Embassy in
Zagreb Maša Crnjakovic; TFAS International Programs Director
Michelle Jeffress (J 95, A 96); Chapter Secretary Dora Rotar (I 04);
and Chapter President Davor Kunc (A 02, I 04, E 05)
(above) Participants enjoy Plitvice Lakes National Park, the scenic
location of the conference.
of responsible business and politics,” said Kunc in a statement
put out by the chapter’s executive board. “The conference was
designed to transmit knowledge about lobbying techniques and
to teach how to use these techniques in an ethical and responsible
way.”
Esteemed experts from academia, business and politics spoke
to attendees, including representatives from the Institute for
International Relations, the Croatian Chamber of Trades and
Crafts, the American Hospital Association, Eko Kvarner and the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.
“This was a 100% alumni initiated effort. From conceptualization and fundraising to implementation and logistics, the Croatian Alumni Chapter did it all,” said Jeffress. “I was honored to
be a guest at this regional event.”
For more information on the Croatian alumni chapter, visit the
website at http://www.hakfas.hr.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 17
ALUMNI NOTES
TFAS Alumni Triumph in Elections Across the U.S.
Election Day 2006 proved to be a
successful day for TFAS as at least six
alumni and one former teaching assistant
won federal, state and local elections.
Four won re-election campaigns, while
three others won new seats.
At age 26, Will Weatherford (B 02),
former chair of the TFAS North Florida
“The Fund was by far the greatest
collegiate experience of my life,” he
continued. “There is no doubt that it
opened my eyes to politics and what
makes our nation so great.”
Weatherford previously served as a
legislative assistant to Florida House
Speaker Allan Bense, as a field
again in 1993 when she became the first
female Jackson county prosecutor, a
position she held until she was sworn in
as Missouri auditor in 1999. In 2004, she
took on her own party establishment and
became the first person to ever defeat a
sitting Missouri governor in a primary
election.
private philanthropic foundations in
the Rocky Mountain West. Hybl is also
general counsel to The Broadmoor
Hotel, one of the finest luxury resorts in
the nation.
represents New Jersey¹s 7th District and
is the second TFAS alumnus to serve in
the House. First elected in 2000, Rep.
Ferguson is serving in his third term in
the 109th Congress (2005-2006).
Rep. Mike Ferguson (E 90) won reelection to the U.S. Congress. Ferguson
Before entering the House, Rep. Ferguson
was an educator, teaching Western
civilization and coaching basketball at
Mount St. Michael Academy in the
Bronx, New York. He also served as an
adjunct instructor of political science
at Brookdale Community College in
Lincroft, New Jersey.
TFAS Trustee Dan Branch (E 77) won
re-election to the Texas State Legislature.
Branch represents the 108th District
(Dallas). In 2003, Capitol Inside named
Branch Freshman Legislator of the Year.
This will be Branch’s third term in the
House.
Stephanie Herseth, former AIPES
teaching asssistant, was re-elected
to her seat in the U.S. House of
Representatives. She will continue to
serve as South Dakota’s at-large member
of Congress.
In addition, Daniel W. Leedy (E 77) was
elected Judge of the County Court at law
for Austin County Texas.
(left) (l.-r.) President Bush attends a fund-raiser for Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) (E 90). (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) (center) Will Weatherford (R-Fla.) (B 02) mentors a child at a
local school.; (right) Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-S.D.), former TFAS teaching assistant, offers a round of applause for her opponents as family members share the stage after
she was declared the winner of her re-election campaign. (AP Photo/Doug Dreyer)
Chapter, won his first campaign for
political office, a seat in Florida’s House
of Representatives representing the 61st
District (Tampa).
Politics, however, are not new to
Weatherford’s life.
“I have always had a passion for public
service and I can think of no greater
way to give back to my community than
to serve in the political process,” said
Weatherford.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 18
representative for the Republican Party
of Florida and as a commercial real
estate broker.
Missouri state auditor Claire McCaskill
(E 74) made history as the first TFAS
alumna elected to the U.S. Senate. She
is a 4th-generation Missourian who has
spent her entire life in the Show-Me
State.
TFAS Regent Kyle Hybl (E 91, A 93)
was elected to the Board of Regents
for the University of Colorado. The
Board consists of nine members
serving staggered six-year terms, one
elected from each of the state’s seven
congressional districts and two from the
state at-large. One of the major issues
the Board will tackle is the status of the
controversial professor Ward Churchill.
In 1982, McCaskill won a seat in the
State Legislature. She broke new ground
Hybl is the general counsel to El Pomar
Foundation, one of the largest and oldest
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ALUMNI NOTES
Michael J. Caslin III (E 78) is the executive vice
president for public policy at the National
Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.
John Renken (E 85) works in public finance at the
New York based law firm, Hawkins, Delafield and
Wood in its Washington office.
Omar Altalib (E 89) was interviewed in the
Indonesian language regarding the situation in the
Middle East by the Indonesian division of Voice
of America radio service. The half hour radio
program was broadcast by the Washington, D.C.
office of Voice of America.
Laura Wright (J 91) is an editor for Random House
in Fort Worth, Texas.
Wasam Alawi (I 00) visits the Taj Mahal in India. Wasam is
the director of marketing at the Jordan Industrial Estates
Corporation.
James Osman (J 92) is an investigative reporter at
KYW-TV, the CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, Pa.
Noemi Koranyi (E 93, A 94) and her husband
welcomed their fourth child, Mihaly Gabor
Prohle, on August 18 in Bern, Switzerland.
Michael Chelius (E 94) lives in Liberia where
he works as a consultant on a USAID funded
capacity development project with the President
of Liberia.
Madeline Dolente (B 97) works as a medical sales
representative with Abbot Laboratories with a
focus on diabetes.
Biljana Prlja (I 97) received her doctorate and
is now teaching history of the United States
economy at Megatrend University in Serbia.
Alumni in Atlanta and their families receive a behind-thescenes tour of CNN and the Headline Newsroom led by
Headline Sports Producer Will Tomlinson (J 97).
Becca Blond (J 98) has traded newspaper reporting
for travel writing and is an author for Lonely
Planet Publications. Recent projects have taken
her to French Polynesia, South Africa, Thailand
and Australia.
TFAS Institutes
E = Engalitcheff 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
Lauren Anselowitz (E 99) was promoted at Frank
and York LLC in New Jersey and is now the third
attorney in a full service immigration law firm.
Hillary Ashton (J 99) accepted the position of
director of development for her alma mater,
Cameron University in Oklahoma.
Kevin Sean O’Donoghue (J 99) is the managing editor
and director of content for Inform.com based
in New York City. He is also pursuing a juris
doctorate at the St. John’s University School of
Law.
Blerina Valikaj (I 99) moved to Nashville, Tenn. and
is working for Bridgestone/Firestone as a senior
auditor.
Rasha Bader (I 00) is a freelance consultant,
assisting an engineering group in Jordan to
help craft their long-term strategy and start a
structured marketing and business development
initiative.
Farid Taamallah (I 00) was appointed chief
of public relations at the Central Elections
Commission in Palestine.
Ovidiu Bujorean (A 01) is pursuing a master’s
degree at MIT Sloan School of Management in
Cambridge, Mass.
Heidi Cenac (J 01) married Nicholas Charalambous
on April 2, 2006 in New Orleans, La. The couple
reside in Anderson, S.C. where they both work at
the Anderson Independent-Mail.
Bradley Epstein (E 01) is the managing director of
RocketFly Media. He is also writing his master’s
thesis in economics at Miami University.
Artan Karini (A 01) is a senior advisor of employee
relations and HRSOD in the department of
Human Resources at York University.
Jelena Lando (A 01) has moved from Moscow to
London to join the European office of Protiviti as
a senior consultant.
Dimitry Levit (A 01) is a business strategist for
Yahoo! South East Asia.
Mark Mead (J 01) is a real estate analyst with
RaceTrac Petroleum in Atlanta, Ga.
Jennifer Romans (B 01) is the health policy advisor
for Sen. John Kyl (R-Ariz.).
Darina Trifonova (A 01) and Atanas Ivanov (A 98,
B 99) were married in June of 2006 in Sofia,
Bulgaria.
Claudia Ciobanu (A 02) is the foreign affairs editor
for Curierul National, a daily newspaper in
Bucharest, Romania.
Hoda Gawish (I 02) is majoring in political science
at the Ludwig Maxilimilan University in Munich,
Bavaria.
“Nothing is more exciting when you are 20 years old than
living on your own and working for a major news program
in the most powerful city in the country,” said Alumna
Elizabeth Donatelli (J 02) of her summer with TFAS.
Now, a reporter for “Good Morning Charlottesville,”
Donatelli remembers her days with TFAS with fondness
and attributes much of her success to her summer in
Washington where she interned for MSNBC’s “Hardball
with Chris Matthews.”
“At my internship I learned how to find contacts and book
guests. It was essentially a preview of how I develop sources
in my career today,” she said. “I researched stories and
learned just how accurate you have to be.”
Donatelli grew up in Alexandria, Va. Her father, Frank, of
McGuire Woods Consulting, serves on the TFAS Board of
Trustees and is also a 1970 ICPES alumnus.
Donatelli earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast
journalism with a minor in critical approaches to leadership
from the University of Southern California. However,
she didn’t always know she would end up working as a
journalist.
“I took my first journalism course the spring before I
attended IPJ,” she said. “It was actually supposed to serve as
a ‘weed out’ class, but instead of turning me off, it inspired
me. By the time I arrived in Washington, I had a desire to
learn, but didn’t know much about the business.”
Donatelli noted that in journalism school, a student might
gain the tools to get the job done, but not always the
knowledge that will allow them to go the extra mile. By
requiring students to take an economics course, TFAS is
giving its students an edge.
“I would never have taken an economics class if it hadn’t
been for IPJ,” she said. “It was hard, but I learned a lot
about how the economy works. Fast forward four years,
and the class benefits my viewers because I can give them a
better and more accurate story.”
Aside from her TFAS internship, Donatelli also worked
for the ABC owned television group in Washington. In
addition, she reported for Torrance CitiCABLE Channel 3
and USC’s Annenberg TV News where she covered events,
ranging from the California recall election to Kobe Bryant’s
trial.
“My job is anything but a nine-to-five desk job,” said
Donatelli. “The best part is that you never know what each
day will hold. I could go live inside a flower shop or report
on the scene of a fire. How could you not love that?”
Elizabeth Donatelli (J 02) (second from the right), co-host of “Good Morning
Charlottesville,” is featured on a billboard in Virginia with her news team.
ON THE
AIR...
40
CE
LE
BR
AT
IN
G
B. Nelson Ong (E 70) founded the company
Professional Development International, LTD.
and has moved to London to conduct seminars in
executive thinking and executive communications.
Alumna Profile: Elizabeth Donatelli (J 02)
ALUMNI
WEEKEND
2007
Friday, June 29 • 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Saturday June 30 • Alumni BBQ
www.TFAS.org
ALUMNI NOTES
Leonid Krasnozhon (A 02) is a Presidential Scholar
in Economics for the 2006-2007 academic year at
George Mason University.
Annie Krysl (P 02) serves as a field representative
in the membership services department at the
National PTA office.
Rebecca Sizelove (B 02) is research analyst at Lake
Research Partners in Washington, D.C.
Peter Schadler (I 02) and his wife welcomed a baby
girl named Maria on September 12.
Ahmed Ennouri (I 04) and International Programs
Director Michelle Jeffress (J 95, A 96) attend
a leadership exchange and youth empowerment
conference. Ennouri was invited by the U.S.
government to the conference, which was held in
Washington.
Mackenzie Smith (J 02) works at the National
Republican Congressional Committee as a field
finance representative. She has traveled the
country with fundraising events for congressmen
involving the President Bush, Vice President
Cheney, and First Lady Laura Bush.
Michal Novota (A 02) published a research paper
titled, “The Draft of the Social Reform in
Slovakia.” His research was presented at the
European Resource Bank Meeting in Viennna,
Austria.
Mercedes Stephenson (J 02) hosts and produces a
national show in Canada and writes for national
publications. She has also been nominated for the
Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television’s
Gemini Awards under the category of Viewer’s
Choice Award for Favorite Host.
Jorina Tabaku (A 02) is the executive director of
Students in Free Enterprise in Albania.
Kathryn Fabian (P 05) is a curriculum planner at
Summerbridge, an educational nonprofit working with
middle school students, in Miami, Fla.
Anna Yegupova (A 02) graduated with a Master
of law in Financial Services from Chicago-Kent
College of Law. She now works for the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development in
London.
Slavina Zlatkova (A 02, E03) graduated from Brown
University and has moved back to her home
country of Bulgaria where she works as a product
manager at ISI Emerging Markets in Sofia.
Antonia Colibasanu (I 03) is a development
coordinator at the World Trade Center
Association Bucharest.
Robin Davis (P 03) is a volunteer coordinator for
the Adoption Network Cleveland.
Loubna El-Amine (I 03) is working on a doctorate in
politics at Princeton University.
Sara Steines (J 03) works at the Ob-Gyn Medical
Association on state legislative advocacy for
women’s health while studying for her master’s
degree in public policy at Georgetown University
with a concentration in public health.
(l.-r.) Shannon Harper (J 02), Gayle Issa (J 02), Desiree
Westby (B 02) and Libby George (J 02, I 03) celebrate
Gayle’s marriage to Thomas Fakouri on August 13, 2006.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 22
Louis Bueno (E 04) is working as a diplomat in
charge of consular and immigration affairs in the
Spanish Foreign Minister´s Cabinet.
Alumni Council Announces Two New Alumni Awards
“On behalf of the Alumni Council, I am thrilled to announce
these new awards,” said John Sweda (E 97) who chairs the Awards
Committee. “I hope each and every TFAS alumnus will take the
time to nominate people for one or more of the awards.”
Byron Fisher (CSS 04) graduated from the
U.S. Army’s Officer Candidate School with
a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the
Infantry.
Nominees for the following awards will be accepted
until February 1, 2007:
• Alumni Service Award (honors service to TFAS)
• Alumni Achievement Award (honors career or community
achievement)
• Young Alumni Award (honors alumni under 30 for service or
achievement)
• Chapter of the Year Award (honors innovation and activity)
• Only nominations from TFAS alumni will be considered
Brandon Gravley (E 04) is a fundraising coordinator
at the Free Enterprise Fund in Washington, DC.
Carlos Ramirez (CSS 04, A 05) is a legal assistant
for the law offices of Schertler & Onorato in
Washington, D.C.
Farah Shoucair (I 04) received the Chevening
scholarship, given by the British Council, to study
for her master’s degree in development economics
at the School of Oriental and African Studies in
Russel Square, London.
Anca Paduraru (EJI 04, EMJI 06) is a freelance
journalist and also works as a Romanian
correspondent for Deutsche Welle English Service
and ISN Security Watch in Bucharest.
Townsend Teague (B 04) is company manager of the
hit Broadway musical The Producers in Las Vegas.
Mistie Conner (P 05) is an academic advisor in
the educational talent search program at Polk
Community College in Winter Haven, Fla.
Joe Ferguson (J 05) works as a full-time reporter for
the Arizona Daily Sun, covering local government.
Liz Marino (P 05) is an administrative assistant in
the guidance department at St. Joe’s High School
in Trumbull, Conn.
Roy Mill (I 05) is the assistant to the president and
CEO of Ophir Optronics.
Tamar Vashakidze (A 05) received a full scholarship
from the United States Department of State and
is pursuing her Master of Laws in democratic
governance and the rule of law at Ohio Northern
University.
Marissa Petersen (P 06) works at Teach For
America’s national office in New York City as
their selection logistics coordinator.
Shreyasse Das (E 06) was elected vice president of
UNICEF at the University of Houston.
Andreas Mueller (CSS 06) was the deputy director of
finance for California Democratic Congressional
Candidate Jerry McNerney, who was elected to
Congress in November.
Kimberly Mullins (IPVS Professor) and husband Joe
welcomed their second child, Lucy, on July 29.
Ron Kellems (r.) surprises his son Kevin (E 86) (l.) who was presented
with the Alumni Achievement Award at the leadership conference in
Charleston this fall.
Since 2003, TFAS has recognized successful and dedicated
alumni with the Alumni Achievement and Service Awards. Two
new annual awards honoring young alumni and alumni chapters
will debut in 2007.
Young Alumnus Award:
This award honors an alumnus who is 29 years of age or younger
who has shown great promise in his or her professional field
and/or volunteered considerable time to TFAS or participated
in other community service projects. The recipient of this award
embodies the values, ideals and potential of an alumnus of one
of the TFAS programs.
For more information and to nominate an alumnus, please
visit the Alumni Awards page on the TFAS website at
www.TFAS.org.
Past Recipients:
Service Award
Achievement Award
2003 Karen Czarnecki (E 88)
Department of Labor
2003 Clint Bolick (E 78)
Institute for Justice/Alliance
for School Choice
2003 Erin Slater (P 99)
College Mentors for Kids!
2004 Bob Greene (E 72)
Robert E. Greene & Associates
2005 Mark Johnson (J86)
The Charlotte Observer
PRAGUE
Chapter of the Year Award:
honors a TFAS regional alumni chapter that has demonstrated
extraordinary initiative and innovation in bringing area alumni
together. This is the first TFAS award that will be awarded to a
group rather than an individual and places a special emphasis
on teamwork.
2006 Kevin Burket (E 85)
Department of Justice
THE FUND FOR AMERICAN STUDIES
AMERICAN INSTITUTE ON POLITICAL & ECONOMIC SYSTEMS
CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
Join TFAS for a 10-day trip to
Prague • Vienna • Budapest
August 3-12, 2007
For more information, contact Ed Turner at
[email protected] • 202-986-0384
H
O
L
D
T
H
E
D
A
T
E
2004 Hon. Eric Levinson (E
88) N.C. Court of Appeals
Judge
2005 Kirby Wilbur (E 73) host
of “Morning Drive” in Seattle
2006 Kevin Kellems (J 86)
World Bank
ALUMNI NOTES
(l.-r.) Alumni Emily Hill (P 05) and Lauren
Crawford (E 04) give a shout out to TFAS
while vacationing in Virginia Beach, Va.
Capital Semester student Samantha Lohman
with her mentor Claire Devney (B 03) at a
Nationals baseball game.
Alumni Lend a Hand to Recent IIPES Graduates
Roy Abdo (I 06) and Nour Arnaout
(I 06) got more than they expected out
of TFAS. After attending the IIPES
program in Greece this summer, their
TFAS connections brought them both to
the United States for the fall.
In July, Abdo and Arnout left their homes
in Lebanon a few hours before the Beirut
runways were bombed during the start
of the conflict between Israel and
Hezbollah. As the three-week program
came to an end, both faced a startling
reality that they would be unable to
return home for the fall.
When Anthony Shop (E 03) learned of
Abdo’s circumstance, he immediately
contacted Dr. David Sallee, president of
William Jewell College. Dr. Sallee agreed
to help by providing Abdo with a full
scholarship to attend the school for the
fall semester.
With Shop’s leadership, the rest of the
generous William Jewell community
complied. Shop secured Abdo a workstudy position on campus, a host family
in the area and extra money to cover his
overseas flight and incidentals.
Roy Abdo (I 06) (second from left) was greeted by
William Jewell students upon his arrival to the airport
in Missouri.
“After IIPES my life was a question
mark. I was lost. I couldn’t go home,
but even if I could, I couldn’t return to
my home university because of the situation,” said Abdo. “I would really like to
thank Michelle Jeffress and Anthony for
this great opportunity they got me.”
“The type of connection among TFAS
alumni who have never even met is
incredible,” said Director of Alumni
Affairs Renee Hamlen (E 96). “And
what is most impressive and inspiring
is that there was not one, but two cases
this fall of this kind of generosity and
involvement.”
Eric Kowalski (E 97, I 98) and his
sister Katy (CSF 05, I 06) had a similar
reaction to that of Shop when they heard
about Abdo and Arnaout.
Nour Arnaout (I 06) with Eric Kowalski’s
sister, Katy (CSF 05, I 06) in Greece. Katy has
helped Arnaout in her move to America.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 24
“I really wanted to know what I could
do to help out,” said Eric Kowalski, who
offers a travel scholarship to one student
to attend IIPES each year.
Kowalski, an alumnus of Carnegie
Mellon University, contacted the Indiana
University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in his
hometown of Indiana, Pa. He arranged
for Arnaout to attend classes for credit
at IUP and live at his parent’s home in
Indiana.
Distance means little when it comes
to TFAS alumni helping each other.
Kowalski, a manager at Ericsson, lives
in California but says that he has kept
in touch with Arnaout and serves as
her advisor by email and phone. “Even
though I am not in Pennsylvania at
the moment, I have still developed a
relationship with Nour,” he said.
Shop, who travels between London
and Kansas City working for Oxford
International Review, has had a similar
experience.
Even though Shop isn’t able to be
with Roy all the time, he has had the
opportunity to introduce Roy to some of
his friends. “They have had the chance
to all hang out together, which has been
a lot of fun,” said Shop.
Working for the Alaska Wilderness League as a
western artic field organizer, Mark Stilp (P 05)
dresses up in a bird costume on the job in
Chicago.
(l.-r.) Hu Ying (HK 06), Wang Yaojing
(HK 06) and Yeung Ka Yan (HK 06) attend an
alumni event in Hong Kong.
(l. to r.) On a trip from his native Moscow,
Maxim Kovalev (A 98) visits fellow classmate
Joe Srouji (J 91, A 98) in Paris, France.
Darina Trifonova (A 01) and Atanas Ivanov
(A 98, B 99) were married in June in Sofia,
(r.-l.) Leslie Berlin Clesner (E 93, A 95) (r.) and her
husband Dave (l.) show their support for John
Heiser (J 97, A 98) (c.) after John’s first stand up
comedy performance on August 14 at the Improv in
Washington, D.C.
“Roy would really like to attend the
Spring Capital Semester at TFAS, so I
have been trying to raise funds for the
next step of his journey,” said Shop.
After receiving word of Roy’s interest
in the program, TFAS offered Abdo a
generous scholarship to attend Capital
Semester this spring.
“Every time I talk to Roy, he says how
thankful he is to be in the U.S. and at
Jewell,” continued Shop. “But as anyone
who has met him will attest, we are the
lucky ones to have gotten to know him.”
(l.-r.) Paul Glader (J 99, A 00), Abby Houck (B 03) and
Rachel Coleman (B 05) cheer on the Steelers at a
Pittsburgh happy hour.
Heidi Hyun (E 99, A 00) (l.) caught up with Queen
Nworisa-Quinn (E 00) (r.) and Queen’s husband Matt
(c.) in NYC this October.
TFAStrack WINTER 2006 | PAGE 25
Ce
leb
rat
ing
40
Celebrating
YEARS
Please Hold the Dates
Thursday, April 19 • Anniversary Gala Dinner
Friday, April 20 • Annual Conference Sessions
The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.
With Special Guest
Ben Stein
Rates:
$300 per person
$500 per couple
Questions: Ed Turner • [email protected] • 202-986-0384 • www.TFAS.org
The
FUND for
AMERICAN
STUDIES
$150 special alumni rate
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