We hope you enjoy these news stories about TFAS activities, alumni and events this week. Sign up to receive TFAS updates, and visit us on social media for additional up-to-the-moment TFAS news!
From a Bomb Shelter to Freedom: the Rising Generation of Ukrainian Leaders
National Review
Thanks to generous supporters, TFAS was able to offer full scholarships for Ukrainian students to attend our academic programs in Prague and Washington, D.C. this summer. This need became prevalent as Russian’s war began and a young Ukrainian woman named Anna sent TFAS an urgent email from a bomb shelter in Kharkiv in February.
In the message, Anna requested that TFAS extend the deadline for her to apply to our summer program in Prague so she could obtain a required letter of recommendation from her professor.
Of course TFAS obliged without hesitation, and hundreds of generous supporters took action to make sure Anna and other young Ukrainians could go to Prague to learn more about political and economic freedom, free markets, and the rule of law. Now Anna and several other students have learned about the ideas and philosophies that make up free societies, so they may contribute to rebuilding their country after the war ends.
TFAS President Roger Ream recently wrote about this experience in a op-ed for National Review. You can read more about these brave students here.
Richard Benedetto on the Power of Optimism
For 25 years, Richard Benedetto served as White House and national political correspondent for USA Today and teaches journalism at American University as well as for TFAS at George Mason University. Richard is a graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University, earned a masters in journalism from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and also taught journalism at the University of Colorado and St. Bonaventure University.
In this episode of the Liberty and Leadership Podcast, Roger and Richard discuss how journalism has evolved over the past 50 years, writing the first front-page cover story for USA Today, covering 5 presidencies, the politicization of the media, the power of optimism and how his Italian grandfather taught him to respect the presidency – no matter who was in office.
Bryce Mitchell on Service and Leadership
Bryce Mitchell is an Air Force captain and staff officer at the Department of Defense, a National Security Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, an undergraduate ambassador for Service to School. Bryce is a TFAS mentor, speaker and a member of the Alumni Engagement Committee. He is also a Defense Ventures Fellow at the Defense Ventures Program. Bryce received a bachelor’s degree in international history from the U.S Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Espionage and Surveillance from King’s College in London and attended TFAS’s International Affairs program in 2014.
In this episode of the Liberty and Leadership Podcast, Roger and Bryce discuss his time at the Air Force Academy, working for Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as a TFAS intern, his experience as an intelligence officer in South Korea during the height of nuclear tensions, the nexus between the DoD and Silicon Valley and his passion for mountain climbing.
POST OF THE WEEK
TFAS was thrilled to be in New York as we honored the lives of the late Joseph Rago and Robert Novak, while we recognized William McGurn and Jimmy Lai and our 2022 Novak and Rago Fellows at the 29th Annual TFAS Journalism Awards Dinner.
Quick Links
Tony Mecia ’92, ’93, Novak ’01, is featured in an article about the success of his news outlet, The Charlotte Ledger, for Editor & Publisher.
Elena Pokalova ’07 writes an article for The Hill about how critical it is for the United States to help Ukraine and the consequences if we don’t.
Michael Reining ’07 was spotlighted for his pro bono work for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND).
Haley Michael ’22 started a new position as an events and projects specialist for the White House Historical Association.
Election Analysis
Matthew Continetti, Novak ’08, breaks down the underwhelming GOP performance thus far in an article for The Washington Free Beacon.
Stephanie Slade, Novak ’16, writes about the failures of the national conservative agenda proponents on election night for Reason.
Brad Polumbo, Novak ’22, writes an article for Newsweek about how Democrats are willing to sell democracy out for a congressional seat in Michigan.
Tim Carney, Novak ’03, writes about how Republicans would’ve won the Senate if they nominated better candidates in an article for the Washington Examiner.
TFAS Alumni Elections
Mike Kelly ’07 was elected as the next county commission chairman in Johnson County, Kansas.
David Ray ’07 was re-elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives.
Cyndi Munson ’07 was re-elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Congressman David Kustoff ’89 of Tennessee was re-lected to U.S. House of Representatives.
Congressman David Rouzer ’93, ’94 of North Carolina was re-elected to U.S. House of Representatives.
Dan McConchie ’93, ’95 was re-elected to the Illinois State Senate.
Randy McDaniel ’90 was re-elected as the Oklahoma State Treasurer.
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