We hope you enjoy these top news stories about TFAS activities, alumni and events this week. Please visit us on social media for additional up-to-the-moment TFAS news and information and sign up to receive weekly updates.
TFAS alumni, staff and faculty continue to make headlines. Read news, analysis and updates by visiting this week’s “Quick Links.”
TFAS Capital Semester Students Experience “Where Women Made History” Through Woodrow Wilson House Tour
As the United States celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage this year, museums across the nation’s capital are paying homage to the dedicated suffragists who made a lasting impact on American democracy. TFAS Fall Capital Semester students recognized this important moment in history on Friday, October 2, with a visit to The President Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, D.C.’s historic Kalorama neighborhood. Due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, the Wilson House has created a “Suffrage Outside” tour, which highlights major milestones of the women’s suffrage movement through a curated outdoor exhibit.
TFAS student Tiffanie Oduber ’20 feels that exhibits like “Suffrage Outside” help to highlight the important progress women in America have made over the last century.
“My favorite part of the exhibit was recognizing the development of the place women have held in society,” Oduber said. “From where we were to where we are now, it is something to really be proud of.”
Despite programming changes made to align with D.C.’s COVID-19 policies, TFAS students still have the opportunity to experience American history through museum tours and virtual site briefings. Oduber shared that these organized events have made the program feel like a typical Washington, D.C. experience during a time when many activities are limited.
“Not only do these tours broaden my knowledge on new subjects, but they also create awareness,” Oduber said. “Experiences like the Wilson House tour have made the TFAS Capital Semester feel a lot more ‘normal,’ despite the COVID-19 outbreak limiting some opportunities.”
To learn more about the hybrid Fall 2020 Capital Semester program, visit TFAS.org/FallCS2020.
Better or Worse: Alumni Predict Post-2020 New York in Virtual Alumni Panel
Following the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on both the economy and culture of New York City, TFAS alumni gathered virtually to discuss what’s ahead for the city in the second “Liberty + the Future” lecture.
Professor Paul Glader ’99, ’00 of The King’s College and Executive Director of the Media Project; Townsend Teague ’04, founding and managing member of the Teague Theatrical Group; and journalist and author Kristin Tate, Novak ’19, were featured panelists leading the conversation.
Professor Glader kicked off the virtual event by acknowledging that though New York is facing unprecedented challenges, the city will recover. Glader argued that New York City is durable, but the durability depends on competent leadership.
“It’s about leadership, and it’s about liberty to see a rebound.” Glader said.
Teague and Tate also shared their perspectives with attendees, emphasizing the impact the pandemic will have on the arts and entertainment industry, as well as the city’s population.
To read more about the event, watch the recording and learn how to attend the next installment, please visit TFAS.org/NYCAlumni20.
TFAS Mourns the Loss of Dear Friend and Supporter: G. Ross French (1921-2020)
Longtime TFAS supporter G. Ross French passed away on October 7, 2020. Mr. French, 99, was widely admired by friends and family for his generous spirit and love of country. He was a longtime supporter of TFAS, its mission and its work.
Mr. French’s son Geordie, who served on the TFAS Board of Regents for a number of years, observed of his father that “…like all good men of his generation he was self-deprecating. He landed at Omaha Beach, thankfully as he said, ‘six weeks after the main festivities…’ But from there, it was onto the Hedgerows and Saint Lo…the Triumphant March through Paris…and Germany, where he was seriously wounded in September of 1944, leading to the amputation of one leg. He never let that become a limitation, doing more with me than most dads, including playing catch most summer evenings upon his return from work, singles tennis in 95-degree heat and humidity, etc.”
In July of 2016, on the celebration of his 95th birthday, a luncheon was held in his honor to raise money for the Ross French American Patriots Fund to provide scholarships for TFAS students. TFAS Trustee Fred Barnes, Chairman Randy Teague, President Roger Ream ’76, and his personal friends attended the luncheon, which raised $30,000 in scholarship support that year.
In lieu of flowers, the French Family has requested that memorial contributions be directed to The Fund for American Studies, 1706 New Hampshire, Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 and www.TFAS.org/support. To learn more about Mr. French’s legacy, visit TFAS.org/French.
Economics Lesson of The Week: The U.S. Airline Industry… Fight or Flight!?
TFAS provides resources to help teachers and parents continue the important task of educating our nation’s future leaders. We are continuing our “Economics Lesson of The Week” series to feature another new lesson from our high school programming division – the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE).
This week’s lesson is “The U.S. Airline Industry… Fight or Flight!?” In this lesson, students will explore the concepts of international trade, trade barriers, balance of trade, and public choice theory. Through a comprehensive lesson plan and related classroom activities, students will analyze the impact of Open Skies agreements on American jobs as well as the unseen costs being borne by U.S. consumers and businesses.
TFAS offers a plethora of online lesson plans, readings, handouts, video demonstrations, and hands-on activity guides to teach the “economic way of thinking” in engaging and relatable ways. Visit TFAS.org/FTELessons for a one-stop guide to our available resources.
Post of the Week
Managing editor at the Commonwealth Foundation, Charles McElwee, is the recipient of the 2021 TFAS John Farley Memorial Alumni Fund Fellowship. Read more about McElwee and the rest of the Novak Fellowship recipients at TFAS.org/Novak20.
Delighted and honored to begin the first John Farley Memorial Alumni Fund Fellowship, part of @TFASorg‘s @NovakFellows program. Look forward to reporting on Pennsylvania’s political realignment: https://t.co/V1zirZJlki
— Charles McElwee (@CFMcElwee) October 5, 2020
QUICK LINKS
TFAS President Roger Ream ’76 joins Dan Proft ’93 for an episode of The Dan Proft Show to discuss the origins of the op-ed page for free exchange of ideas in America.
Stephanie Slade, Novak ’16, writes for Reason about how the musical Hamilton has effectively told America’s founding stories in the midst of “cancel culture.”
Faysal Itani ’03, ’06, is a deputy editor of Newlines Magazine, a new publication focusing on long form articles on the Middle East.
TFAS professor and economist Don Boudreaux co-authors a piece in The Federalist on the economic implications of renewing the Paycheck Protection Program.
George Mount ’10 discusses data literacy in an interview with Hillsdale College’s “Beyond the Bubble” podcast.
Alexandra Hudson, Novak ’19, is a contributing editor for American Purpose, a new online magazine.
Annie Xiao ’14, ’16, was promoted to manager of global partnerships at FiscalNote.
TFAS professor Joshua Mitchell writes for American Greatness on the importance of American institutions.
Nathan O’Neal ’09 reports on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Navajo Nation in a report for USC’s Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.
Kari Travis ’12, Novak ’18, discusses the long-term impact of the outcomes of the North Carolina Supreme Court races in Carolina Journal.
Jessica Taylor ’05 shares insights on key Senate races ahead of the November 2020 presidential election on C-SPAN.
Tim Alberta, Novak ’18, shares his thoughts on the 2020 presidential election in a piece for Politico.
TFAS Trustee Emeritus Neal Freeman writes a piece on Jim Buckley for National Review.
Erin Mundahl, Novak ’16, discusses the impact of the new House environmental justice bill on energy prices and unemployment in a piece for Western Wire.
Kristin Tate, Novak ’19, has an op-ed in The Hill on the influence that new voters in Florida will have on the 2020 election outcome.
Cara Marcano, Novak ’05, writes for RealClearEducation on free speech limits on Syracuse University’s campus.
David Leapheart ’07 has started as an associate with Covington and Burling LLP. Read about his experience starting law school shortly after receiving his commission in the Marine Corps in this feature by NYU Law.
TFAS professor David Rocks co-authors an article in Bloomberg Green about the future of environment-friendly concrete.
Connect with @TFASorg on social media!