TFAS Summer 2013 is in full swing. Since late May, more than 300 future leaders have been participating in one of six TFAS summer programs in Washington, D.C. Below are a few highlights of their summer so far.
LEGAL STUDIES INSTITUTE (LSI)
The summer kicked off with the arrival of law students attending the Legal Studies Institute (LSI) and their exclusive site briefing at the Supreme Court with Justice Antonin Scalia on May 29. Two days later, the students met with Professor Randy Barnett of Georgetown University Law Center for a discussion of the Constitution’s original meaning in the courts.
Other notable LSI speakers include Judge Ginsburg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and Russ Deyo, former general counsel for Johnson & Johnson who shared his insight on corporate law. LSI students also heard a first hand account of state law from former Ohio Supreme Court Justice and TFAS Alumnus Bob Cupp (ICPES 71). Finally, LSI students learned about public interest practice from Scott Bullock of the Institute for Justice.
Former Attorney General Ed Meese will deliver remarks during the LSI commencement ceremony on July 31.
U.S. UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
TFAS undergraduate students are also enjoying an eventful summer, participating in internships, taking courses on economics and government through George Mason University and hearing from a distinguished lineup of speakers.
On Wednesday, July 17, students had the unique opportunity to visit the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. Students from all institutes sat on the House Floor as Rep. Justin Amash (Mich.) and Rep. Scott Riggel (Va.) spoke to them about the importance of public service.
Students enrolled in the Institute on Business and Government Affairs (IBGA) attended the TFAS Congressional Scholarship Award Dinner on July 8. During the dinner, students heard remarks from 2013 award recipients Rep. Fred Upton (Mich.), Sen. Mark Begich (Alaska) and Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute. In their addresses to TFAS students, the three leaders reflected upon their own time as interns and its formative impact upon their lives. Begich even recalled how some of his most important projects as a member of the Anchorage city council were made possible with the aid of his interns.
On July 15, public policy and international affairs students attended a reception in honor of 2013 Walter Judd Freedom Award recipient Paula Dobriansky. A former under secretary of state for democracy and global affairs, Dobriansky was honored for her advocacy of freedom in both the United States and abroad. TFAS Chairman Randy Teague and the Honorable Robert C. McFarlane, former national security advisor, presented Dobriansky with the award.
During her acceptance remarks, Dobriansky called the award’s namesake, Dr. Walter Judd, a man who was ahead of his time and said that she identified with his belief in the power of ideas and the importance of foreign assistance. Following her remarks, ICPES and IEIA students asked Dobriansky questions about her opinion on current U.S. foreign relationships and her experiences working in the Reagan White House.
Journalism students attended an award ceremony at the National Press Club on June 21 where TFAS presented cash prizes to outstanding journalists for their work in investigative, economic and collegiate reporting. Presenting the awards were Fred Barnes and TFAS Alumnus Steve Hayes (AIPES 94), both of The Weekly Standard. To read the award winning pieces, visit www.TFAS.org/IPJAwards.
Meanwhile, students participating in the TFAS philanthropy program organized events throughout the summer to raise grant money for a local D.C. charity. The participants even received a surprise visit from D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray during their car wash fundraiser. On Wednesday, July 24 the hard work paid off as students presented $2,248 to the Urban Alliance during the 2013 IPVS Grants Luncheon.
The luncheon also recognized chef Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef fame with the 2013 David R. Jones Leadership in Voluntary Service Award. Mendelsohn was honored for his work with Horton’s Kids, a nonprofit whose mission is to educate and empower the children of D.C.’s Ward 8.
U.S. summer programs will come to a close during Commencement Exercises on Friday, Aug. 2. Alumni are invited to attend the graduation ceremony where TFAS alumna and blogger-turned-author Kelly Williams Brown (IPJ 05) will deliver remarks. Brown is the author of “Adulting: How to Become a Grown-Up in 468 Easy(ish) Steps.” Her tips on how to successfully navigate adulthood have been featured on “Good Morning America,” the “Today” show, “Fox & Friends,” The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. For more details on attending graduation, click here.