Maxine Baker, president of the African American Nonprofit Network and former president of the Freddie Mac Foundation, was joined by Edward Jones of the Council on Foundations for a discussion of topics to foundations and nonprofit organizations. They began the conversation with an overview of the purposes of foundations and nonprofits. Later in the session, Ms. Baker and Mr. Jones entertained questions, which ranged in topic from career opportunities at foundations to funding for projects to advice on how to develop and run effective nonprofit organizations.
Some of the Institute's scholars have established nonprofit organizations. For example, Anthony Phillips ('09, Bates College) co-founded the Youth Action Team, an organization that promotes civic awareness and responsibility among inner city youth. Mr. Phillips established the organization in his hometown, Philadelphia. Several other scholars have expressed interest in creating nonprofit organizations, working for community organizations, or working for large philanthropic foundations.
Accepting an invitation that Sheila Johnson extended during the junior class’ visit to the Washington Mystics game on July 8, twenty-four scholars drove to Middleburg, Virginia on Sunday morning to spend the day with Mrs. Johnson and see the construction site for her new resort and spa, Salamander Farm. When the group arrived in Middleburg, they were met by Mrs. Johnson and her husband, Bill Newman.
The day began with a view of the construction project from downtown Middleburg and a short drive onto the site. Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Hospitality, led the tour of the site and explained the effort they have undertaken to ensure that the project exceeds all of the specifications necessary to achieve 5-star status. During the visit to the site, Mr. Devadas told the scholars that of all the groups he had spoken to, these young men asked the most insightful questions.
After spending about an hour at the construction site, Mrs. Johnson provided lunch at Market Salamander on the main drag in Middleburg. She owns this establishment, which refers to itself as a “working chef’s market,” and treats its customers to the wonderful aromas of food being prepared in an open kitchen.
Next on the agenda was a visit to Salamander Farm, the home of Mrs. Johnson and Judge Newman. The couple graciously showed the scholars around their beautiful house and grounds. With such a large percentage of the scholars headed to law school, Mr. Keyes prevailed upon Judge Newman, the chief judge of the Arlington County Circuit Court, to speak with the scholars about law school, the legal profession and related topics. The judge also graced the group with a recitation from Othello.
After visiting the stables and Mrs. Johnson’s office, the scholars trekked back to Washington with the satisfaction of having spent a most enjoyable day in the country.
Kendrick Ashton, a director of the highly regarded New York firm Perella Weinberg Partners, traveled to Washington this weekend to teach the scholars about investment banking and alternative asset management.
Mr. Ashton’s comprehensive lecture was accompanied by an illuminating Power Point presentation. He discussed Wall Street in general, the culture of many financial firms, and the work life of a young investment banker. He also explained, step by step, the work that is required to complete corporate mergers and acquisitions. Throughout his presentation, he was interrupted for questions from the scholars, who demonstrated considerable interest in high finance.
The scholars gained valuable information that will help them in their careers and their personal lives.
About 20 of the scholars visited the law firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP to learn about the firm from the managing partner of the Washington office, Jonathan H. Talcott, and counsel Ron Thomas. Talcott talked with the students about the firm, its locations and its practice specialties. He also talked with them about the process of applying and interviewing with law firms and the requirements placed on first year lawyers.
Thomas, who recently joined the firm after leaving a position as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U. S. Department of Agriculture, talked with the students about his work at the firm. He also talked about the necessity of lawyers being good a business development.
Last night, the scholars joined Institute supporter John Schell for a tour of the Jacob Lawrence exhibit at the Phillips Collection, the first museum of modern art. Jacob Lawrence, a renowned African American painter who spent his career chronicling the history and struggles of African Americans, gained notoriety from his sixty-painting narrative entitled "Migration of the Negro." These paintings portray the journey of hundreds of thousands of African Americans migrating from the south to northern cities to find work and escape Jim Crow.
Due to the size of the collection, very few people have viewed the entire collection all at once. With the help of Mr. Schell, the Institute scholars were given the privilege of seeing this important and relevant work.
Besides the high-level internships, intimate discussions with influential leaders, and the rigorous coursework, the Institute aims to introduce the scholars to a variety of enriching cultural experiences that will help them to network with future employers and peers.
Over lunch, Leila Thompson, Micah Smith, Aditya Bamzai, and Damien Williams engaged Institute scholars in a candid discussion on the legal profession and federal judicial clerkships. The three lunch hosts are clerks for Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court. Though the clerks did not discuss particular cases that have come before the Court, they offered insight into the day-to-day tasks and experiences that law clerks have while assisting justices in the writing of opinions.
The clerks went into great detail about their interactions with their respective justices, the interview process, and their professional aspirations. Even though each of their experiences differed, they each emphasized the importance of critical thinking and the ability to attack an issue from all sides.
Although the law clerks admitted that most law clerks work at private law firms after completing their clerkship, they all spoke about the importance of working on issues that are most important to them.
This evening, Dr. Paula Warrick, the director of American University’s Office of Merit Awards, shared information about a variety of national scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Dr. Warrick not only provided a list of scholarships and fellowships to the scholars, she also gave advice on the most effective ways to submit competitive applications.
Current scholars who have won competitive scholarships and fellowships such as the Truman Scholarship and the Mellon-Mays Fellowship also gave advice on how to produce an exceptional application for highly coveted academic awards. This year, several Institute scholars will apply for several prestigious undergraduate and graduate scholarships. The most notable are the Truman, Fulbright, and Rhodes Scholarships.
The Institute appreciates the help of Ann Hamilton and Dr. Chris Swanson of the Office of Merit Awards for helping Institute staff organize this presentation.
The senior class was given the tremendous opportunity of participating in a roundtable discussion with General Colin L. Powell. The meeting took place at his office in Alexandria, Virginia. During the hour-long session, the scholars were able to ask General Powell about his career, international affairs, and the importance of public service. He also discussed the upcoming elections, the economy, and the war in Iraq. While discussing the various topics, he made a point of talking about the importance of leadership, and the influence that leaders have, especially on people who suffer from injustice and inequality.
Early this morning, the senior class traveled to New York City to enjoy a weekend of fun with the KPMG scholars. After checking into their hotel, the scholars put on sits and headed over to the third annual Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies Forum, an initiative that brings to together preeminent leaders from the legal, financial, government, academic, and human services fields to discuss solutions to the social and economic problems faced by African American men. While there, students had engaging discussions with leaders from all sectors. Not only did the seniors hear new strategies that are being employed to help their peers, they also were given the opportunity to share their experiences and provide recommendations on how to solve the problems that black male youth face.
On Saturday, the senior class met up with Institute Trustee member, Kendrick Ashton and the KPMG scholars for an afternoon in Harlem. The students visited the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a research library that is nationally recognized for documenting the experiences of people of African descent. Schomburg staff gave the scholars a tour of the Schomburg Center as well as providing them with history of the center, and the role it plays in Harlem.
After enjoying a night in New York City, the scholars woke up on Sunday morning to go on the Cirlce Line Tour, a river cruise around lower Manhattan. On the cruise, the scholars saw the Statue of Liberty, the Financial District Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, and United Nations.
Later that night, the scholars said their farewells to the KPMG scholars and returned home to Washington to share their experiences with the junior class.
The Institute hosted its first fundraising event this evening at the historic Stephen Decatur House on Lafayette Square. All of the Institute’s scholars and local alumni were present in the Decatur House courtyard to greet guests, who had been invited to the event by Institute trustees. The lovely setting was ideal for informal conversation between the scholars and guests. Food and beverage were also served in the courtyard.
After about 90 minutes of mingling, everyone went indoors, where they were treated to an hour-long musical performance by five scholars and alumni. Barron Ryan (’08, University of Oklahoma), accompanied the singers and performed a piano piece that he had written. John Harper (’07, Oberlin College), Clarence Mitchell (’08, University of Maryland), David Wilford (’07, LaSalle University), and Brandon Piper (’08 DePauw University) sang individually and as a group.
The event was underwritten by the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation, which provided a generous grant to sponsor the Institute’s 5th Anniversary celebration. Other sponsors included Epstein Becker & Green PC, Foley & Lardner LLP, Schering-Plough Corporation, the Triad Foundation, Dezenhall Resources, Marathon Oil, the Community Financial Services Association, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, and SoBran Inc. Individual sponsors included Mr. Earl W. Stafford, Mr. Christopher Cowan, Mr. Cliff Hancock and Mrs. Bonnie Wagman, Mr. Paul C. Harris, Dr. Andrea and Dr. Leslie Kingslow, Mr. John T. Schell and Mrs. Anna Bruce, Mr. Frank R. Walker, Mr. Alvin Williams, and Mr. & Mrs. William A. Keyes.Each summer since the Institute’s founding, Congressman John Lewis has welcomed the junior class into his office for a candid discussion of the Civil Rights movement and the impact that it had on all Americans. As always, Congressman Lewis spent more time with the scholars than was scheduled. Last summer, he spoke with the junior class for four hours. This year, he did the same. Even though his staff attempted to pull him away, he refused to leave the scholars until he had finished telling his inspiring stories about the Civil Rights Movement and the days he spent with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The scholars listened attentively as they ate peanuts and drank Coca Cola from Congressman John Lewis’s home state. After finishing his stories of the March on Selma, he allowed the scholars to watch a video that chronicled the Civil Rights Movement before showing them the vast array of photographs of some of America’s best known heroes.
After four hours of eating and story-telling, Congressman John Lewis was pulled away to take a vote on the House Floor, but before leaving he took pictures with all of the scholars.
This evening, the junior class watched a thrilling come-from-behind 50-48 victory by the Washington Mystics over the Indiana Fever of the WNBA. The scholars, seated together in the lower section of the Verizon Center, were seen dancing and cheering on the big screen several times during the latter stages of the game, as the Mystics were staging their comeback.
The real purpose of the visit to the Verizon Center was to meet the team’s owner, Sheila Johnson. Mrs. Johnson hosted the scholars in the owner’s suite before the game. She spoke with them about her career in business, beginning with the co-founding of BET. She discussed the development and ultimate sale of the company and her subsequent ventures as the first African American female owner of a professional sports franchise. She also discussed her purchase of a PGA tour golf course and her current work at building a 5-star resort and spa in Middleburg, Virginia.
Today, alumni arrived in Washington, DC to celebrate the Institute’s sixth alumni weekend. After checking into their rooms at American University, they joined the current scholars at Ascension, networking event established during the summer of 2005 by Institute scholars who wanted to bring together interns working in Washington for a night of fun. At Ascension, alumni had the chance to reconnect with fellow alums while at the same time networking with current scholars and their guests.
On Friday morning, alumni held their second alumni board meeting where they elected the first board to the Alumni Association. After the board was elected the alumni began strategize how they planned to demonstrate their support for the program. From this discussion, alumni agreed to raise money for the program’s general support while also mentoring and recruiting scholars.
Later on in the afternoon, alumni, scholars, and staff traveled to Bon Air Park in Arlington, VA for a barbeque. While there, current scholars and alumni held a tennis and basketball tournament.
On Saturday, alumni and scholars met again for a group discussion led by Mr. Bill Keyes. In the discussion, Mr. Keyes delivered a speech, in which he highlighted the importance of building strong bonds between alumni and scholars. He stated that the program cannot sustain itself without the support of its participants. The lecture was followed by dinner, in which the Institute’s friends were invited to join the scholars and alumni for good food, games, and casual conversation.
On Sunday morning, current scholars and the alumni attended the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, the home church of Mr. Keyes. After listening to an inspiring sermon, the scholars joined Mr. Keyes and staff for an afternoon dinner where current and former scholars came together one last time to share their favorite memories from the weekend.
Each summer the senior class works together to complete a public service project. In past years, scholars have organized a leadership workshop for at-risk youth; written academic papers; and hosted networking events. This summer, the senior class organized two projects targeting needy families and black youth interested in attending college.
For the first project, the scholars worked with Hannah House, a transitional housing facility for women and children recovering from drugs and physical abuse. The scholars not only cleaned, painted, and moved furniture, but they also spent time speaking with residents and staff about their experiences. Even though the scholars only committed to one day of work, they were so inspired by their experiences there they decided to return for another Saturday of work.
The second project that the seniors worked on was an event that one of the scholars, Joshua Harris worked on at his internship at the FBR Group. Each year, the Corporate Giving office at FBR hosts workshops for youth who are interested in attending college but have few role models in their lives that can speak to the experiences that students face when they attend college.
During the first workshop, the scholars sat on a panel where they discussed college admissions, academic rigor, and their personal experiences at their respective institutions. At the second workshop, the students spent time with the youth helping them to define their options, while at the same time encouraging them to work hard.
For the sixth summer in a row, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spent several hours with the scholars of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. After marveling at how the size of the group has grown over the years, Justice Thomas offered great advice inspirational stories to the scholars. Topics discussed ranged from his judicial philosophies to current public policy concerns.
As always, the scholars had a spirited discussion on the topic of affirmative action. Whether they agreed or not, the scholars walked away from this meeting feeling enlightened and inspired.
This afternoon, several Institute scholars attended an event hosted by the Gloucester Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program entitled, "The Great Debaters." The scholars watched the students in the Emerging Leaders Program debate the costs and benefits of a universalized healthcare system. After the debate, the scholars networked with students participating in the Gloucester Institute program, which served as a great opportunity for the scholars to discuss the topic at hand. The event was inspired by the recently released movie, which has the same title, and in which actor Denzel Washington stars.
The junior class visited the offices of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld for a breakfast and a discussion with Civil Rights Leader and former presidential advisor Vernon Jordan. After introducing himself to each of the scholars, Mr. Jordan began by addressing the significance of this presidential election. He referred to the current election as historical and groundbreaking, in the sense that for the first in history there is an African American man and a woman vying for a presidential candidacy.
In an effort to illustrate the importance of this historical moment, Mr. Jordan spent time discussing Senators Hillary Clinton’s and Barak Obama’s campaigns, while at the same time chronicling the efforts of past civil rights heroes and suffragists who fought long and hard for equal opportunity.
Mr. Jordan also shared his personal life story. He discussed the difficulties that he experienced when he moved away from home for the first time as a college student as well as the discrimination he faced when applying for jobs. These stories were not intended to discourage the scholars from pursuing their goals, but instead to remind them of the opportunities that are available as a result of the hardships that our ancestors have overcome.
After completing three hours of Government class, the juniors were treated to a barbecue hosted by the senior class and 2008 summer fellows. With the total contingent of scholars more than quadruple the number in our inaugural class, these and other informal events are important to facilitate the bonding that the Institute intends. In addition to the good food that was prepared by the seniors, the scholars enjoyed music, good conversation, and card games.
Professor William B. Allen has returned to the Institute for his sixth summer to teach the Lynde & Harry Bradley Course on Constitution Principles. Each summer, Professor Allen not only finds new and innovative ways of teaching the scholars about our country’s founding, he also challenges them to think critically about a variety of issues.
This summer’s course has been divided between two sections. The first section was dedicated to analyzing the Federalist Papers and the formation of the Constitution, while the second section explored American slavery using Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Professor Allen’s soon-to-be published commentary on the novel.
The Institute tried something new this year, having Professor Allen teach the Economics course also. This arrangement enabled the scholars to receive a coherent education on the effects of economic and constitutional principles on public policy.
Today, forty-four scholars (twenty-two seniors and twenty-four juniors) were welcomed to the Institute by Mr. William Keyes and staff. As the students arrived at American University, Mr. Keyes greeted the students and their families with open arms as he exclaimed, “Merry Christmas.”
For him, the day that the students arrive on campus is one of the most exciting days of the year. It symbolizes the time and effort put into recruiting and selecting the incoming class of students.
Each year, the Institute staff spends several months traveling across the country to the top colleges and universities to identify the most talented African American males and invite them to Washington, DC for a challenging summer. The staff also works hard to arrange high profile internships, organize rigorous courses in political science and economics, and schedule intimate discussions with some of Washington's most prominent individuals.
Following an Institute tradition, the staff and local alumni hosted an evening of dinner and games at the ESPN Zone to welcome the new and returning scholars. The highlight of the evening was Mr. Keyes’ speech, in which he highlighted the accomplishments of the alumni in attendance while explaining the mission of the Institute.
Orientation weekend continued on Sunday morning with breakfast at a local restaurant and a scavenger hunt that took the scholars to most of the major landmarks in the nation's capital. The day culminated with dinner and concurrent informational sessions conducted by Mr. Keyes and the summer fellows.
The Summer Fellows are alumni of the class of 2007 who assist the staff with the management of Institute events. It is an honor to be selected for this important role. This year's Summer Fellows are outstanding young men. Calvin Hadley graduated from Howard University in May, will spend one year teaching English in Senegal, and will begin graduate school in the fall of 2009.
John Harper took only four years to complete a five-year dual degree program at Oberlin College and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He will spend the year auditioning for programs in Voice and will begin his graduate studies in the fall of 2009. Chuck Redmond graduated from the University of South Carolina in May and will enroll at Harvard Law School in September 2008.
Today, the Institute was brought to a close with a ceremony in which the seniors were congratulated for their success in their classes, internships and other activities. Each graduating senior stood before the audience assembled at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown as the Institute’s president, William Keyes, read his bio and presented him with a diploma and lapel pin. Keyes was joined in the presentations by professors William Allen and Thomas Rustici. The two professors also gave brief remarks.
This ceremony was the first that was attended by the parents of every graduating senior. Some came from as far away as California. Also in attendance were donors, including Diana Davis Spencer of the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation and Richard Walker, Vice President for Corporate Giving at Friedman Billings Ramsey. Spencer and Walker were presented gifts as tokens of appreciation for their support since the Institute’s founding. The gifts were group photos of current students and alumni taken on the Georgetown University campus during alumni weekend. The seniors also presented gifts to Keyes, Allen and Rustici, Institute staff, and the three Summer Fellows—Christopher Binns, Bernard Holloway and Fred Jones—who graduated one year ago.
A special feature of this year’s graduation was music performed by five Institute scholars. They opened the event with the National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and closed it with an improvisational piece that included all five singing, plus piano and beat box. The music was upbeat, causing everyone to leave on a most festive note.
Scholar-musicians John Harper, Barron Ryan, Brandon Piper and Clarence Mitchell performed an abbreviated version of their July 17 National Endowment for the Arts concert in the main conference room at Epstein Becker & Green, PC. The performers were introduced by the firm’s founder, Steven Epstein, who has supported the Institute since its establishment. The firm provided food and beverage for all of the attorneys and support staff in attendance. The performers ended the concert with an improvisational song about lawyers.
The Honorable Janice Rogers Brown has served on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 2005. She previously was an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court. She spent much of her time with the scholars discussing her role as a jurist and the difficulties she sometimes faces in deciding tragic cases, such as those of habitual drug offenders who might otherwise be good people but run afoul of the law because of prior mistakes that have left them addicted. Beyond the law, she led a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion about the direction in which the country is headed and the role the scholars can plan in protecting American values
On Sunday afternoon, Institute alumnus Edward Sanders, a member of President Bush's White House staff, invited current scholars to visit the South Lawn to meet the President upon his return from Camp David. The occasion proved to be a wonderful opportunity, as the President appeared to be relaxed and ready to talk with the few fortunate individuals who were treated to this rare opportunity. After disembarking, the President walked along a rope line of individuals, most of whom were members of his staff and family and friends of staff members. When Mr. Keyes told the President of the caliber of young men he was meeting, the President said, simply, "the best and the brightest." When he described the mission of the Institute, the President responded, "Just tell them to contribute to the country.”
For the third year, Institute juniors visited the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a private briefing with Secretary Alphonso Jackson. In previous years, the twelve students met around a conference table in the Secretary’s office. With a larger class of 24 scholars, this summer’s session was moved to a larger room in HUD’s headquarters, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building. The discussion was no less intimate, with the Secretary answering questions ranging from the effectiveness of the federal government’s response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster to the constitutionality of HUD programs. As always, Jackson encouraged the scholars to continue to work hard, with the goal of becoming successful enough to be able to help other people. He also told the scholars that one of the benefits of their hard work in college is that it puts them in touch with others who will run the country one day.
John Murdock of the law firm Epstein Becker & Green, whose founder Steven B. Epstein was a founding supporter of the Institute, called together numerous Washington lawyers for a reception with Institute scholars. The reception was held in the moot court room at Hogan & Hartson LLP. Steven C. Lambert of Foley & Lardner LLP addressed the assembled lawyers and scholars, describing the relationship his firm has established with the Institute to educate young men about the practice of law.
Members of the National Endowment for the Arts, internship supervisors, fellow scholars and other friends of the Institute were treated to an exciting performance by scholars John Harper (Oberlin, Sr.), David Wilford (LaSalle, Sr.), Barron Ryan (Oklahoma, Jr.), Clarence Mitchell (Maryland, Jr.) and Brandon Piper (DePauw, Jr.). Harper is a Vocal Performance major and has won several awards for his singing. He plans to become a professional opera singer. He interned at the NEA during his first summer in the Institute. Ryan is a Music major, specializing in Piano Performance. He too plans to become a professional musician. He is interning at the NEA this summer. The students performed an impressive variety of selections, which included opera, gospel and show tunes. Ryan accompanied most pieces, though Mitchell played the piano and guitar while singing successive songs. The scholars exceeded everyone’s high expectations and received a prolonged standing ovation at the conclusion.
John McConnell is truly a friend of the Institute. In previous summers, McConnell has been the opening speaker for a writing workshop that the Institute provides its seniors along with twelve carefully-selected interns from the Heritage Foundation. This summer, McConnell’s schedule did not allow him to participate in the writing workshop, but he invited senior scholars to the White House for a brown bag lunch. McConnell discussed his role as a presidential speechwriter and answered many questions about the White House policymaking process. The event was schedule for one hour but lasted for more than two.
The senior class traveled to Maryland to meet with the state’s recently-inaugurated Lieutenant Governor. They found the session to be one of the most inspiring of the summer. In addition to answering the scholars’ public policy questions, Brown talked about his life and his commitment to public service. He was born to a Jamaican father and Swiss mother who embraced the opportunities that America provided. Following their advice, he worked hard to take advantage of America’s opportunities. He became the first African American student government president at his high school and graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1984. While in Cambridge, he also joined Army ROTC and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He went on to graduate first in his class at flight school. After serving in the Army, he enrolled at Harvard Law School. After practicing law for several years, he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served as Majority Whip from 2004 until he was elected Lt. Governor this year. He had an interlude from politics in 2005, when he was deployed as a reservist to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Following a three-hour Saturday morning Economics lecture, the junior class changed into business attire and headed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Institute alumnus and White House staffer Edward Sanders was joined by other staff members who led the scholars in small groups through the working section of the White House. They visited the Cabinet Room, Roosevelt Room, Rose Garden, Press Briefing Room and, of course, the Oval Office.
Representative Donald Payne, a New Jersey Democrat, chairs the House Subcommittee on Africa. This afternoon, he talked with the Institute’s seniors about challenges and developments in Africa as well as American policy toward the countries of that continent. The scholars found him to be “extremely personable, candid and genuine.” Several of the seniors had traveled to Africa through Study Abroad programs. One, Stefan Lallinger, lived in Tanzania for seven years.
Civil rights leader, presidential advisor and corporate director Vernon Jordan hosted Institute juniors at the Dupont Circle office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP, where Jordan serves as counsel. He greeted each of the scholars individually, noting that the Institute selected its first scholar from his alma mater, DePauw University, this year and paying particular attention to the scholars from his hometown, Atlanta. After extending personal greetings, he shared with the scholars insights that he has learned from his roles as collegiate chauffeur to a white Atlanta business executive in the 1950s, college intern, president of the National Urban League, head of the United Negro College Fund, presidential advisor, lawyer, and Wall Street executive. Following his talk, Summer Fellows Christopher Binns, Bernard Holloway and Fred Jones presented Jordan with the Institute’s 2006 Award for the American Ideal. Recipients of the award are selected each year by the senior class and announced at graduation.
For the fifth straight year, Representative John Lewis hosted the junior class at his Capitol Hill office. As always, he spent more time with the scholars than was scheduled. This time, a total of four hours. Lewis talked principally about the Civil Rights Movement and his role in planning some of the monumental events, including the March on Washington. In discussing the March, he focused his attention on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, but noted that he was the youngest person to speak at the event, at barely older than the scholars themselves. As in previous years, the Congressman hosted the scholars in his office in the Cannon Building, where the walls are covered with pictures, plaques and posters that commemorate some facet of his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Given that this year’s class was doubled in size from previous classes, today’s visit was especially cozy. Following the session, Lewis invited the scholars to walk over to the Capitol to take pictures.
Early Saturday morning, the Institute’s seniors boarded a bus for New York. After arriving there, they checked into their hotel and went to Brooklyn to attend the African Street Festival. In the evening, they met Mr. Keyes and his wife for dinner at the famous soul food restaurant, Sylvia’s, in Harlem. Afterward, they visited Times Square.
On Sunday morning, Keyes was joined by a few Institute alumni for a worship service at Abyssinnian Baptist Church and brunch at a local restaurant in Harlem. The alumni and all of the seniors spent the afternoon on a river cruise around lower Manhattan, which gave them close views of the Financial District, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations.
While the Seniors visited New York, the Juniors spent their time getting to know each other better while learning more about the city in which they have chosen to spend two summers. The highlight of the weekend was the Institute’s first annual Capital Scavenger Hunt. Summer Fellow Bernard Holloway divided the junior class into five teams and gave each team twelve clues. They were allowed only one camera and were prohibited from using any type of technology to answer the clues. To receive credit for solving the clues correctly, the teams were required to provide a photo with all of the team members and the object of interest included.
The teams departed Georgetown at 2:00 in the afternoon. The first two teams to finish their missions returned to campus shortly after 6:00. The third team returned a little after 8:00 and the runner-up at 9:15. The winning group arrived at 11:00 p.m., nine hours after starting. They demonstrated that success in this competition required stamina as much as smarts.
The wining team consisted of Barron Ryan, Oklahoma; Sean Mickens, Howard; Brandon Piper, DePauw; Aaron Miesczanski, Williams; and Barrett Young, Harvard. The reward for winning was dinner with Mrs. & Mrs. Keyes at Clyde’s of Georgetown the following weekend.
This afternoon, the Institute’s seniors took advantage of one of the perks of being Institute seniors: golf lessons. For most of them, it was a true introduction to the sport. Tonight was the first of four lessons that will be led by golf professional Keith Robertson.
Alumni Weekend began with Ascension III, discussed below, on Friday evening. On Saturday, alumni scholars and current alumni met on the banks of the Potomac River in Georgetown for a morning of kayaking. The occasion was an excellent opportunity for the two groups to get to know each other better. With many alumni, seniors and juniors paired together in two-man boats. Afterward, while current students took advantage of rare free time, the alumni met together to learn about the Institute’s growth plans. Later in the afternoon, scholars and alumni were joined by professors, several internship supervisors and donors for a barbecue on the Georgetown campus. On Sunday morning, many of the scholars and alumni attended a worship service with Mr. Keyes at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, followed by lunch. Most alums departed Washington on Sunday afternoon.
The weekend provided an outstanding opportunity for the current scholars to talk with alumni about their current positions as graduate school students and employees. Institute alumni are now enrolled in the following law schools: Stanford , Cal-Berkeley, Georgetown, George Washington, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio State, South Carolina and Nevada. Others attend graduate school at Yale, Michigan, Chicago, NYU, Arkansas, Albany, Loyola-Chicago and the New School. Some alumni have entered the workforce and found employment at the White House, in TV news, at their alma maters, and in organizations such as the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Two will begin prestigious public service fellowships in New York in September. One is an officer in the United States Army. Two staff the Institute for Responsible Citizenship.
For the third summer, Institute seniors organized and hosted a networking happy hour for African American interns. The attendees took advantage of the occasion to establish relationships with interns whom they may otherwise not have met. While the scholars and their guests mingled, a photo collage of various Institute events played on television monitors on all three floors of the bar.
Richard Walker, Vice President for Corporate Giving at Friedman Billings Ramsey Group, organized and hosted a briefing at the FBR headquarters in Arlington, Virginia to acquaint Institute scholars with the firm’s business interests. In addition to moderating the briefing, Walker discussed his role in directing the company’s charitable efforts, which are focused particularly in the Washington metropolitan area. In addition to supporting charities in Washington, the firm’s largest impact elsewhere is in Phoenix, Arizona, where the firm sponsors the FBR Open on the Professional Golf Association tour.
Frank Walker, no relation to Dick, is Chief Compliance Officer for FBR Investment Management, Inc. (FBRIM), the firm’s registered investment adviser. FBRIM manages a broad spectrum of investment vehicles, including hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds. Walker discussed the role of the compliance officer in protecting the firm and its clients.
Richard Coll, Associate General Counsel, discussed the characteristics that would make one successful in his role. He also discussed the many rewarding career opportunities for lawyers to work in corporate settings. He answered numerous questions from the scholars, such as the firm’s standard for retaining outside counsel.
Roderick Dunlap, Vice President of Sales, discussed his transition from an Engineering major at Georgia Tech to a sales executive for an investment bank. He told the scholars that personal characteristics and aptitude were greater determinants of success in sales or most other fields than major areas of study in college. He told the scholars about his work at FBR and described his typical day.
Robert Dean, Vice President of Risk Management, discussed the need for risk management in an investment bank or any other securities related business. His discussion also combined a description of the technical aspects of his job with career advice for the scholars.
These discussions were followed by a reception at which the scholars had the opportunity to speak more casually with these FBR executives and others.
Each summer, the junior class visits Justice Clarence Thomas at the Supreme Court for an in-depth discussion of the workings of the Court, judicial philosophy, and as many other issues as the scholars desire. The senior class meets with one of the other Justices. This summer, that other Justice was the Chief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts, Jr. The seniors began their return visit to the Supreme Court with a private tour of the building. They sat in on a public lecture. And they concluded their visit with a private session with the Chief Justice, who made brief remarks and fielded numerous questions from the scholars. These questions regarded the culture of the Court, the Chief Justice’s administrative duties over the federal judicial system, his role in tiebreaking, and numerous other matters.
Several scholars attended the White House’s annual Black Music Month celebration, where they joined the President in honoring the contributions that African Americans have made to the country through music. The scholars were also in the company of a notable group of invitees, including Secretary Alphonso Jackson; Bob Johnson, founder of BET, and others. The list of musicians who performed included Karina Pasian, KEM Owens, and Tourie and Damien Escobar.
A collection of accomplished writers began tonight a series of workshops for the Institute’s seniors and a select group of students interning this summer at the Heritage Foundation. Tonight’s session was the first of four, which will cover such areas as press releases, issue briefs, op-ed columns, book reviews and writing for scholarly journals.
Near the end of a long week of internships and classes, the scholars visited the Verizon Center to meet the owner of the Washington Mystics of the WNBA and watch the team take on the Los Angeles Sparks. Dr. Sheila C. Johnson hosted the students in her personal suite at the arena. She engaged the scholars in a stimulating discussion about issues ranging from business ventures to personal integrity to the current offerings of Black Entertainment Television (BET), which she co-founded with her ex-husband in 1980. She also discussed service to others. The scholars were aware of the fact that she had given away millions to charity since the sale of BET to Viacom for 3 billion dollars in 2000. In addition to her own foundation, she has created the Washington Mystics Foundation. After the discussion, Johnson escorted the scholars to the courtside seats she provided for them to enjoy the game.
For the fifth straight year, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas carved out time from the closing days of the Supreme Courts’ session to meet with the Institute’s junior class. This summer’s meeting was held in the Lawyer’s Lounge, where he met with the inaugural class in 2003. As always, the Justice greeted each scholar warmly and told them about experiences in their home towns, visits to their campuses, or other things he had in common with them. Once everyone was seated, he started the discussion by telling them what a wonderful opportunity they had been afforded by being selected for the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. He reminded them that they had been selected because of their hard work, and that they would continue to have opportunities presented to them if they continue to work hard.
Thomas spent a considerable time talking about his childhood in Georgia and the individuals who sacrificed for him to have opportunities to get a good education, his early desire to return one day and practice law in Georgia, and the twists and turns in his career that led him to Washington and ultimately to the Supreme Court. He discussed his work on the Court and the judicial philosophy that guided his opinions on several high-profile cases that the scholars were interested in. Always generous with his time, the Justice answered at least one question from all of the scholars. He posed for pictures afterward and continued to chat individually with the young men for an extended period of time.
Tonight, the law firm of Foley & Lardner hosted the Institute scholars who are interested in legal careers for the first of three dinners and educational sessions at their office at the Washington Harbor. The scholars were welcomed by partner James N. Bierman, who shepherded the relationship between Foley and the Institute and took on the role of host and moderator of this first session. Bierman was a wonderful partner for the scholars to meet. He has served as managing partner, head of recruiting for the firm, and previously an admissions director at Harvard Law School.
In this first session, attorneys Norm Rich and Ric Henschel discussed trademark and patent law, which are similar but distinct practices. Next week, Irwin Raiji will discuss legal work in both the public and private sectors. Foley is the law firm for Major League Baseball; Raiji represents the Washington Nationals and has helped them with the negotiations with the District of Columbia regarding the construction of a new stadium, which is to open next season. In the third session, attorneys Sharie Brown, Paul Monsees and Steven Lambert will discuss the Patriot Act, environmental law, and arbitration/mediation. They, along with Bierman, will expose the scholars to the many areas of law.
In addition to its involvement with the scholars, Foley is a financial contributor to the Institute.
By 7:30 this morning, the Institute’s scholars were heading to the Georgetown campus buses for the first leg of their commutes to their internships. The scholars were all dressed in suits and ties and were ready to work hard. Each of them was heading to an internship that had been carefully selected to suit their interests and career objectives. These internships included some offices where scholars have interned in past summers. These include the American Legislative Exchange Council, FBR, NBC News, the United States Senate, and the Washington Legal Foundation. New internships include the Brookings Institution, Georgetown University Law Center, Merrill Lynch and TV One.
After completing the extensive applications, submitting to interviews by Institute alumni and staff, exchanging numerous email messages, having conversations with returning scholars, checking into the dormitories, and enjoying dinner and a welcoming event as a group, the scholars arrived at Orientation dressed in suits and ties and ready for the Institute to officially begin. William Keyes, founder and president of the Institute, addressed the scholars for approximately one hour about the Institute’s mission and history. He spoke most passionately about the high expectations that he and everyone else associated with the Institute have for the young men assembled at that moment. He said on several occasions that talent was an important factor in their selection, but that character was even more important. He illustrated his points with anecdotes from his own life and from experiences of past scholars.
Keyes also formally introduced the Institute staff. Two of the three staff members are Institute alumni. And he introduced the three Summer Fellows, alumni who live on campus with the scholars and work in the office with Keyes during the day. He informed the scholars that the Summer Fellows are their first and most important contact people. After the Summer Fellows addressed the scholars, Keyes invited the senior class to the front of the room to tell the juniors about their prior summer and give them words of advice. Then he asked the junior class to introduce themselves and tell why they chose to attend the Institute. He was visibly moved to hear several of the juniors say that they gravitated toward the Institute because of its focus on character. Other juniors mentioned the rare opportunity to spend an extended period of time building relationships with other high-achieving African American men.
Finally, the scholars heard from Professor William Allen, who told the juniors what they could expect from his Government class, which would begin at 7 p.m.
Following the formal session, the students walked across the Georgetown University campus to have lunch at the Faculty Club, where they were seated at two long window tables that afforded a beautiful view of the newest part of the campus. The scholars were treated to an elaborate buffet and had the opportunity to display the Institute etiquette that Keyes taught.
After lunch, the scholars spent the afternoon taking photos for their Georgetown identification cards and buying books for their classes.
From as far away as Sacramento, California and as close as Mitchellville, Maryland, scholars traveled this afternoon to the Georgetown University campus, where they will live for the next eight weeks as participants in the fifth session of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Nine scholars returned for the second summer and were joined by 23 juniors. Members of both classes will live together in the four-bed units at the Village A residence hall.
The scholars gathered at 7 p.m. at the ESPN Zone in downtown Washington, where Institute founder and president William Keyes informally welcomed everyone to what promises to be another fantastic summer. The scholars were joined by all of the alumni who live in the Washington area. Many found it fitting that a presidential debate was being shown live on flat screen television sets on the walls of the private dining room where the scholars had dinner. When the scholars finished eating, they engaged in friendly competition on the three floors of games throughout the facility.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ADAM L. BARR
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007
(202) 659-2831
THE INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2007-2008
WASHINGTON- The Institute for Responsible Citizenship today announced the names of 24 college sophomores and juniors who will participate in its intensive leadership program in Washington, DC. These gentlemen represent the best of hundreds of exceptional applications received this year from colleges around the country.
The Institute for Responsible Citizenship has admitted twelve exceptional minority male students each year for its two-summer program at Georgetown University since 2003. This year, the number of students has been increased to twenty-four so that more young leaders can be positively impacted by the program. This expansion will allow the Institute to inspire and train more bright young men to be the principled leaders of tomorrow.
“Each year, our students arrive in Washington, DC for intensive internships, rigorous courses at Georgetown University, and leadership training. The classes give them the fundamental constitutional and economic principles they will need to be great leaders,” said Institute founder William Keyes. Students live on campus in university housing provided by the Institute during the program. When not at work or in class, students are treated to intimate meetings with high-level government officials, which in past years have included Supreme Court Justices, the Secretary of State, U.S. Senators, U.S. Congressmen, and business leaders.
This year’s cohort of students, with a mean GPA of 3.6, is the largest and most diverse to date. The young men hail from nearly every region of the country, including the Deep South, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast. They come from Ivy League schools, historically black colleges, large public universities, and small liberal arts colleges. Among the twenty-four students admitted are two Eagle Scouts, a renowned pianist, and the University of Maryland’s Student Regent.
Their biographies provide further information about each of the newly accepted gentlemen that will take part in the Institute this summer.
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During a luncheon celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, the members of the senior class were congratulated for their accomplishments over the past two summers. The young men have taken demanding courses, worked at full-time internships, and attended numerous meetings, tours, workshops and other events. They were offered the opportunity to participate in the Institute after being selected from an impressive pool of applicants from colleges and universities all over the United States.
The ceremony was attended by parents, Professors Bill Allen and Tom Rustici, donors and internship supervisors. This year’s occasion was also highlighted by musical presentations by Institute students and alumni Steven Ward (’04), Ashley Simms (’06) and John Harper (’07).
Each student was given a diploma and a lapel pin.
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars recognizes outstanding academic achievement among students in their freshman and sophomore years of college. The organization’s mission statement indicates that it is committed to “Honoring and inspiring academic excellence and engaged citizenship for a lifetime,” making the goals of NSCS the same as those of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Each year, NSCS assists our recruiting efforts by promoting the Institute to their eligible members. Institute scholars who attend universities where no NSCS chapters exist serve as catalysts for starting chapters. Today’s ceremony was held at the offices of the Washington law firm, Epstein Becker & Green.
This afternoon, following their Economics session, the junior class was treated to a private tour of the West Wing of the White House. They entered the White House by walking by the Situation Room, where so many important decisions have been made in country’s history. They visited the Cabinet Room, the Roosevelt Room, and the Oval Office. In the Press Briefing Room, the guys took advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take pictures in front of that famous blue sign that lets the world know that the speaker is at The White House.
The tour was led by White House staffers Lucas Boyce (Public Liaison) and Parris Dennard (Political Affairs).
Noted Civil Rights activist Vernon Jordan spoke to the scholars about his childhood and education in the largely segregated city of Atlanta, Georgia. He discussed his rise from his college job as chauffer to an Atlanta banker to one of America’s most powerful non-elected leaders. Much of the material that Jordan discussed is written in his autobiography, Vernon Can Read.
Mr. Jordan hosted the students at the Washington law firm, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he serves as Senior Counsel. Prior to joining Akin Gump in 1982, Mr. Jordan served most notably as president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League and executive director of the United Negro College Fund.
His presidential appointments include the President's Advisory Committee for the Points of Light Initiative Foundation, the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on South Africa, the Advisory Council on Social Security, and the National Advisory Committee on Selective Service. Mr. Jordan served as the chairman of the Clinton Presidential Transition Team in 1992.
He may serve on more corporate boards than any other African American. These currently include America Online Latin America, American Express, Asbury Automotive Group, Dow Jones & Company, J.C. Penney Company, Revlon Group, Sara Lee Corporation, Shinsei Bank, and Xerox Corporation. He serves on the international advisory boards of DaimlerChrysler and Barrick Gold. And he is a trustee of Howard University and the LBJ Foundation.
This afternoon, both classes of scholars visited to Capitol to meet with the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. Unfortunately, Speaker Hastert became ill and was unable to attend the session. In his absence, Congressman Eric Cantor met with the students and fielded their questions for approximately 45 minutes. As Chief Deputy Majority Whip, Mr. Cantor is one of the highest ranking members of the House leadership.
The senior class met with General Colin Powell in his office in Alexandria, VA.
General Powell’s laid back demeanor and candor made the students feel at ease during their hour-long discussion of his life, politics, and the Iraq War.
He urged the students to “perform” in all that they do, saying, “if you do the best you can, you’ll develop a reputation, and get something even better.” General Powell credits his own success with his ability to perform and deliver with each job he’s been given.
General Powell also emphasized the need for restoration of family and recommitment to excellence. He told the scholars, “We have a lot of youngsters who will never get to where you are because they get lost along the way.” While K-12 schools need great improvement, the problems occur long before the children get to kindergarten, he said.
General Powell also mentioned that no matter where he has gone and what other political systems he has encountered, he maintains that our system of democratic governance and free market economy is better. While our country has its blemishes, he said the founding fathers knew the country would need to grow and change, quoting our 3rd President Thomas Jefferson saying, “You can’t expect the clothes of the boy to fit the man,” but General Powell said “they left a design for the clothes, our Constitution.”
General Powell also told the students that “a lot of things will go wrong….shake off disappointment and failure, don’t allow it to diminish you.” Additionally, he said, “Don’t let what people might think of you affect you…it’s their problem, not yours.”
General Powell served as the 65th US Secretary of State, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and National Security Advisor. Over the course of his 35 year career in the Army, General Powell earned numerous awards including the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Medal. General Powell also served as chairman for America’s Promise, chairman for the Eisenhower Fellowship Program, and as an advisory Board Member of the Children’s Health Fund.
General Powell’s strong values and commitment to excellence have given him the opportunity to courageously serve his country and in turn inspire the next generation of great leaders.
For the second straight summer the Institute seniors have improved their abilities as golfers with the help of local professional Keith Robertson. Last Sunday, the seniors completed their first lesson in which they worked on both their half and whole swings. In future Sunday evening lessons, the seniors will look to perfect their driving and putting skills. Like last summer, they will conclude their on-course lessons with a full round at the South Germantown Golf Park in Germantown, Maryland.
Alphonso Jackson (pictured at right), US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, met with the students in a private briefing in his office.
Secretary Jackson attributed three things to his success: education, being at the right place at the right time, and having mentors. He also told the students to live in the now, not the past or the future, because that is all that is promised.
Secretary Jackson also advised the students to remain steadfast in their career goals despite difficult circumstances. He quoted his father as saying, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” He also illustrated how adversity can work to one’s advantage by saying, “When everything seems difficult, that’s when you should rise to the occasion and do your best.”
Additionally, he advised the students to strive for greatness in all that they do. He referred to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous quote, “If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well."
He also encouraged the students to work hard, make money, and help the people around them, saying “poor is a state of mind, not a condition.” Overall, Secretary Jackson proved to be an exemplary role model, who offered the students great advice concerning pursuit of their career aspirations and fulfillment in life.
The students visited the headquarters of the World Bank. Paatii Ofosu-Amaah (pictured at right), Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Bank and a member of the Institute's Board of Directors, arranged a tour of the bank and a private meeting with Kevin Kellems, Director of External Affairs and Senior Advisor to President Paul Wolfowitz, and other World Bank experts.
The World Bank, first established in 1944, is a group of five international organizations that are a vital source of technical and financial assistance to developing countries around the world. Its mission is to eliminate poverty on a global scale and improve living standards in matters such as agriculture, health care, environmental protection, governance, infrastructure, and education. Many countries have borrowed money from the World Bank, including some of today’s leading industrial countries such as Japan following World War II for postwar reconstruction.
James Nortey asked about how the Bank deals with pressure from critics who say the Bank is merely benefiting “capitalistic companies”, to which Kellems responded that it requires a great deal of “listening and questioning your assumptions.” Kellems stated the Bank is “very well known, but not understood.” It is a “rich and diverse organization...the challenge is to channel that diversity to a concrete goal.” He said the Bank’s main purpose is to help developing countries “help themselves.”
Kellems advised the students to prepare themselves “broadly”, not “obsessing” over one goal. “Be willing to take risks accordingly…don’t narrow things down prematurely,” said Kellems. He also said, “It’s good to have goals, but retain some flexibility and creativity.”
Black interns, young professionals, and graduate students from around the DC area convened at Lima, a popular restaurant in downtown Washington for the second annual Ascension. (Institute scholar Quinton Harper pictured at right with event attendee Erin Meadors)
Running from 6-9 PM, the event proved to be a huge success with over 150 people in attendance. Colleges and universities from all over the country were represented.
Students engaged in conversation concerning everything from their career aspirations to politics. It was a great chance for students to make contacts and socialize with other interns in the area. One person commented to the Institute scholars, “You all did a great job of planning the event. It was well attended and full of successful young professionals and goal-oriented interns.”
Ascension also showcased the growth of the Institute and its dynamic presence in the DC area. It directly coincided with the Institute’s mission of forging strong, black individuals who will make significant contributions to society by providing them with necessary tools such as networks and contacts. As a result of the success of the past two summers, Ascension will now be an annual event that each class at the Institute can plan and benefit from.
The students visited the White House to witness the official welcoming ceremony for the Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi.
The ceremony included a 19-gun salute, a military color guard, an Air Force brass band, and drum corps dressed in Revolutionary era uniform. (Institute scholars Fred Jones and Justin Wilson pictured at right on the South Lawn)
President Bush remarked that the United States and Japan have to remain united in their hard stance toward North Korea’s nuclear weapons’ testing plans. The President stated that it would be “unacceptable” for North Korea to launch a long-range missile for testing.
President Bush also joked of their impending visit to Graceland saying, “officially he is here to meet with the president, but I know the highlight of his visit will be paying his respects to the King."
Koizumi, one of Bush’s closest friends on the world stage, will be stepping down from office in September.
After the closing bell on Wall Street, eight key executives at Friedman Billings Ramsey briefed our students on the various aspects of the company, which is involved with investment banking, institutional brokerage and asset management.
The speakers included Maurice McKenzie, Vice President for Research; and Damon Munchus, Vice President, Investment Banking; and Doris McGhee, Senior Vice President, Human Resources. The briefing was hosted by Richard Walker, Vice President for Corporate Giving.
FBR is one of the fastest growing companies in America and one of the most active Initial Public Offering underwriters in the country.
Former civil rights leader, Congressman John Lewis met with this year’s junior class about the importance of leadership.
After the scholars watched a movie about Congressman John Lewis’s life, Congressman Lewis spoke about his experiences as a young civil rights leader. He referred to the March at Selma, sit-ins, and his experiences as the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as a way of expressing the battles that he and many other young African American leaders faced in their efforts to battle Jim Crow segregation.
In response to several questions that were asked by the students, Congressman Lewis stated that strong leaders “find a way to get in the way” in order to make change.
Ronald Arthur Sarasin, President of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society and a former Representative from Connecticut, led the Institute’s scholars on a private tour of the Capitol this morning.
The tour included Statuary Hall, the Rotunda and the Supreme Court chambers, which were in use from 1819 to 1860. The scholars also had the rare privilege of sitting on the floor of the House of Representatives.
On the floor, Sarasin discussed the history of the institution and pointed out many of the special features of the hall, such as the way the names of the members of Congress are illuminated on a wall panel for voting.
Students from the Institute interested in foreign service visited the headquarters of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives guidance from the Secretary of State and advances US foreign policy objectives. USAID was first created in 1961 after President John F. Kennedy signed the Foreign Assistance Act into law.
USAID focuses primarily on long-term economic and social development and offers direct support to developing nations.
Joseph Duggan, Senior Policy Advisor, met with students and encouraged volunteer service in organizations such as the Peace Corps, where passionate individuals travel overseas to volunteer for two years in various developing countries.
Jocelyn Rowe, Executive Director of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid, Chad E. Hayward, Senior Advisor for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and Sean Michael McClure, Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean spoke with the students as well.
Admiral Barry C. Black, the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate and the Senate’s first African American Chaplain, made a great impact on the junior class. The Chaplain hosted the students in his Capitol office, which has a most impressive view of the monuments along the national mall. (Black is pictured at right with Institute scholar Calvin Hadley)
Black, who has earned two doctoral degrees and three master’s degrees, encouraged the students to take extra measures to be prepared for the opportunities that God has in store for them. He also encouraged them to live lives of integrity.
In addition to exhaustive preparation and commitment to integrity, he attributed his achievements to “the force” of God’s dominion in his life.
He showed the students numerous photos he had taken with many notable figures such as President George W. Bush and civil rights legends Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King. Additionally, he shared some of the experiences the position as Senate Chaplain has afforded him, such as speaking at the Presidential Inauguration and Parks’s funeral.
Despite his highly successful career and his innumerable accolades, Black remains humble and disciplined, making him a paradigm for responsible citizenship.
This marks Black’s second meeting with the Institute’s students.
In her chambers at the United States Court of Appeals, Judge Janice Rogers Brown asked the Institute’s seniors, “What does Superman fight for?” She continued, “I think we would agree on the definitions of ‘truth’ and ‘justice,’ but what is ‘the American way?’” With that, she began a stimulating hour-long discussion.
Judge Brown was confirmed to the District of Columbia Circuit on June 8 of last year.
Prior to coming to Washington, she spent nine years on the California Supreme Court, where she earned the reputation of being a brilliant and fair jurist, committed to the rule of law. In her most recent election, she was returned to the Court with the approval of 76 percent of California voters. She served on the California Supreme Court, beginning in May 1996, when her historic appointment made her the first African-American woman to sit on that court. From 1994 to 1996, she served on an intermediate California appellate court.
Prior to her judicial appointments, Justice Brown worked as Legal Affairs Secretary to California Governor Pete Wilson and served as the Deputy Secretary and General Counsel for the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. She also was a Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the California Attorney General for eight years.
In addition to her commitment to public service, Judge Brown has participated in a variety of important efforts, including the California Commission on the Status of African-American Males, which made recommendations on how to address inequities in the treatment of African-American males in employment, business development, and the criminal justice and health care systems.
Justice Brown’s personal story is an inspiring example of the American dream. She was born to sharecroppers in Greenville, Alabama and attended segregated schools. She grew up listening to her grandmother’s stories about NAACP lawyer Fred Gray, who defended Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks. Her experience as a child of the South motivated her to become a lawyer and devote her life to public service. When she was in her teens, her family moved to Sacramento, California. She eventually received her B.A. in economics from California State University in Sacramento and her law degree from the UCLA School of Law.
This year, for the first time, the White House exposed the Institute’s scholars to its youngest African American staff members.
Tina Hervey, who has worked in the Office of Public Liaison and the Office of the Press Secretary, spoke to the students about her background and how she worked her way up from poverty to success at the White House. She also discussed her motivations for supporting President George W. Bush.
Paris Dennard, 22, discussed his experiences during the 2004 Election and his ensuing opportunity to work in the White House Office of Political Affairs.
Lucas Boyce, Deputy Associate Director of Public Liaison, spoke to the students about the importance of hard work and forging relationships. Boyce organized and hosted the briefing, which took place in the Indian Treaty Room, the most ornate and expensive room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Several treaties were signed in this room, including the Bretton Woods Treaty establishing the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Charter. Additionally, President Eisenhower hosted the first “live” televised presidential press conference from the Indian Treaty Room on January 19, 1955. Today the room is used for meetings, receptions, and other ceremonies.
North Carolina Superior Court Judge Ola Lewis visited the Institute today to discuss ethics. The judge began her presentation by telling the Institute’s scholars, how refreshing it was for her to spend time with high achievers, since so many of the young men she encounters are facing criminal prosecution.
While her remarks were primarily focused on the broad application of ethical principles, Judge Lewis provided much anecdote from her experience on the bench. She spoke about the importance of being ethical in decision-making, and stressed how unethical behavior can ruin an otherwise promising career.
For the fourth summer, Justice Clarence Thomas spoke with the Institute’s first year students at the Supreme Court.
As in past years, the Justice made a compelling case to the students that the role of the Supreme Court is to defend the Constitution, not to legislate.
He also spoke to the students about his childhood in rural Georgia and the sacrifices that his grandparents and many friends made to enable him to leave the Jim Crow South and be educated at the College of the Holy Cross and Yale Law School. (pictured at left is the junior class outside of the Supreme Court)
The students asked Justice Thomas many pointed questions during the ninety minute session about education, race, and the workings of the Supreme Court. To one question about the lingering effects of slavery on African Americans, Justice Thomas replied, “black on black crime and illegitimacy rates are rampant today, but almost unheard of for my grandfather’s generation. My grandfather knew slavery, but he never used slavery as an excuse for anything. Why should your generation?”
Justice Thomas went on to say that racism will always exist, but urged the scholars to never let racism prevent them from achieving their ambitions.
After the discussion, Calvin Hadley, a junior at Howard University stated that “my eyes were opened to the reality of the life of a public figure. Before meeting Justice Thomas, I had a preconceived notion of what he would be like, but that all changed after talking with him and seeing that he was an honest, caring, and intelligent person.”
Institute members Elijah Heyward, John Saunders, and Bernard Holloway recently participated in “Keepers of the Dream: Advancing Research Policy & Practice in Urban Education” at Yale University. The conference was hosted by the division of Psychiatry at Yale’s School of Medicine. Participants discussed the current status of urban education and ways to improve it. Keynote speakers were Jonathan Kozol, a nationally acclaimed author and educator, and Dr. Edmund Gordon, a social activist and psychologist who studied under the legendary W.E.B. DuBois.
The conference was attended by educators from all over the United States.
On Friday, Heyward moderated a workshop entitled, “Curriculum Enrichment for Urban School Teachers”, which focused on mathematics and sciences. Holloway and Saunders served as featured panelists for “The New Crisis in Education: Disengaged Boys,” a panel discussion addressing today’s education policies and the ways in which they affect young men.
Heyward, an alumnus of the Institute, completed his first year as a student at Yale Divinity School last month. He is spending the summer working as a Yale Public Service Fellow. One of his projects was to help organize the conference. In the future, Heyward would like to help African American men achieve their highest potential through creating programs centered on mentorship.
Holloway, a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is also interested in creating programs to help encourage African American youths to excel academically. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, he intends to study education policy as well as become involved in government in his home state. During his high school years, Holloway served as a member on the Prince George’s County, Maryland Board of Education and collaborated with other students to write the book Freedom’s Answer: Too Young to Vote but Old Enough to Lead, which addressed civic engagement and political participation among young people.
Saunders is also interested in education reform. He would like to create educational programs in affordable housing developments to help underserved children get the necessary academic support needed for success. While attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Saunders served as an academic advisor to first year students and worked with the University’s Undergraduate Admissions department to increase the number of minority students on campus. This fall, Saunders will enter New York University’s Robert F. Wagner’s School of Public Service to study Urban Planning.
Nine returning and eleven newly admitted scholars arrived at the Georgetown campus today. Two students, one from each class, who attend Northwestern won't arrive until next week. The students were personally greeted by Adam Barr and John Saunders upon their arrival. The evening ended with a group dinner at Mr. Smiths of Georgetown.
This summer's internship assignments are as follows:
Chris Binns, Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund
Rob Bland, Constituency for Africa
Jay Finch, World Bank Institute
Calvin Hadley, US Department of Labor
Anthony Harbour, NBC Universal
John Harper, National Endowment for the Arts
Quinton Harper, Black Entertainment Television
Julian Hill, US Department of Labor
Bernard Holloway, Friedman Billings Ramsey
Joe Jenkins, US Senator George Voinovich
Fred Jones, US Department of Health and Human Services
Hasa Kingo, AARP Magazine
Stefan Lallinger, Institute of World Politics, US Senator Joe Biden
Chris McKee, Howard Divinity School
James Nortey, Friedman Billings Ramsey
Chuck Redmond, Washington Legal Foundation
Edward Sanders, American Legislative Exchange Council
Ashley Simms, US Helsinki Commission
Derek Sykes, District of Columbia Housing Authority
Mike Varner, Boeing
David Wilford, US Department of Labor
Justin Wilson, Gloucester Institute
Darius Graham was presented with a Points of Light Award from Florida Governor Jeb Bush today. Among his many other activities, his work with Books All Around prompted the Governor to give him the award. John Marks, mayor of Tallahassee presented Darius with the award during a ceremony to donate a library of books to the Lawrence-Gregory Community Center in the city. The presentation caught Graham off guard, since he was under the impression that he was there to introduce the mayor and talk about the benefits of reading.
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William Keyes and Adam Barr started a trip through New England by visiting Institute scholar Ashley Simms at the State University of New York at Albany. Ashley, who will return to Washington in June for his second summer with the Institute, is majoring in Political Science and will pursue a career in the Foreign Service.
At Williams College, Keyes and Barr enjoyed meeting students who were friends of Inaugural Class alumnus Ricardo Woolery (Williams ’05). They also had the opportunity to meet with professors who were in position to recommend students. Woolery was presented the William Bradford Award for Citizenship at graduation last May, recognizing him for his contributions to the college community.
In Amherst, Massachusetts, Institute alumnus John Saunders hosted Keyes and Barr for an information session with students at the University of Massachusetts’ honors program, Commonwealth College. Saunders is an outstanding student in the honors college. Afterward, Saunders traveled across town with his guests to accompany them for a similar meeting at Amherst College. Following that visit, students have expressed their interest in applying for the 2006-2007 sessions.
In the Boston area, the Institute staff visited Tufts, Harvard, MIT, Boston College and Boston University. And in Providence, Rhode Island, they visited Providence College and Brown University.
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Adam Barr has joined the staff of the Institute. As a member of the Inaugural Class, Adam will be a perfect ambassador for the Institute to prospective students, donors and others. While here, Adam proved to be a top student and interned at the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2003) and at the Department of Sociology at Georgetown University (2004). See Adam’s bio.
During a luncheon celebration at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Washington’s West End, the members of the senior class were congratulated for their accomplishments over the past two summers. In the presence of their families, they were reminded what had been required of them -- two summers of full-time internships, three demanding courses, and perfect attendance at numerous meetings, tours, workshops and other events. Almost all of these events took place with them wearing suits and ties in temperatures close to 100 degrees. Through it all, they more than persevered. As a result, they are better prepared to take on the leadership roles for which they were destined. They were also reminded of the high expectations that we have of them.
Each student was given a diploma and a lapel pin.
Biographies of the graduates.
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Ambassador Sylvia Stanfield joined the Institute’s students for dinner at the Washington offices of the law firm Epstein Becker and Green, PC to discuss opportunities to serve the country as members of the Foreign Service.
A career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, Ambassador Stanfield served as U.S. Ambassador to Brunei from November 1999 to September 2002.
From her official State Department bio: Her primary area of specialization has been Asian Affairs. She began her career with the Department of State in 1968. Her first overseas assignment was Vice Consul with the then American Embassy in Taipei, Taiwan. Her assignments have included tours as a political officer with the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Ambassador Stanfield has served as a Watch Officer in the Department of State Operations Center, as a political and economic/commercial officer in the Office of the Peoples Republic of China and Mongolian Affairs. Ambassador Stanfield has also been an Inspector with the Office of the Inspector General and served as an Examiner with the Board of Examiners of the Foreign Service. From 1990-1993, she was Director of the Office of Australia and New Zealand Affairs and from 1997-1998 she headed the Taiwan Coordination Affairs Office. Her most recent overseas assignment was as Charge d'Affaires a.i., and Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand. She is a Chinese Language officer. She earned a B.A. degree from Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio. As an East-West Center grantee, she received an M.A. degree in Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii and continued her studies at the University of Hong Kong School of Oriental Studies and Linguistics.
In recent years, she has served as Ambassador-in-Residence at Florida A&M University, where she met senior Darius Graham, whom she recommended to the Institute. Beginning this fall, she will be at Spelman College.
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The speakers were Neal Wilson, Senior Managing Director of FBR Investment Management; Jay Perlman, Associate General Counsel; Mike Cerretani, Managind Director and Head of Institutional Sales; Framk Walker, Chief Compliance Officer; Maurice McKenzie, Vice President for Research; and Damon Munchus, Vice President, Investment Banking. The final briefing was given by the session’s organizer, Richard Walker, Vice President for Corporate Giving.
Fortune named FBR the 9 th fastest growing company in America in its most recent listing. The company was one of the most active Initial Public Offering underwriters in the country last year.
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The National Society of Collegiate Scholars is an honors organization which recognizes outstanding academic achievement among students in their freshman and sophomore years of college. The organization’s mission statement indicates that it is committed to “Honoring and inspiring academic excellence and engaged citizenship for a lifetime.” This makes NSCS a compatibale partner for the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Each year, NSCS assists our recruiting efforts by promoting the Institute to eligible NSCS members. This year, two students were selected from NSCS member applications – Joseph Jenkins of the University of Pittsburgh and Ashley Simms of the University at Albany.
Today, the remaining members of the junior class were inducted into NSCS during a luncheon ceremony held at the offices of the Washington law firm, Epstein Becker & Green.
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Paatii Ofosu-Ahaah, a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship, hosted the Institute's students for a briefing and tour of the Bank.
Mr. Ofosu-Amaah was appointed Vice President and Corporate Secretary for the World Bank in 2003.
He joined the Bank in 1978. From 1980-1982, he served as Assistant to the Vice President and General Counsel. Thereafter, he served as Senior Counsel working on lending operations in Asia, Europe and Africa, and as Legal Adviser for Environmental Affairs. In 1992, he was appointed Chief Counsel in the Africa Division with responsibility for the Bank's legal work in that region. In 2000, he was appointed as Deputy General Counsel. In 2003, before being appointed to his current position, he has served as Acting Vice President and General Counsel. In addition to his other responsibilities, he has been working closely with the Board of Executive Directors and dealing with the legal issues relating to the Bank’s work on Iraq.
Mr. Ofosu-Amaah aided the establishment of the Global Environment Facility and other environment-related trust funds, policies and programs. Additionally, he assisted in the establishment of the African Capacity Building Foundation.
Prior to joining the Bank, he worked as an associate in the New York law firm of Davis Polk and Wardwell and served in Rome as a Legal Officer in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
He has law degrees from the University of Ghana and Harvard Law School.
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In a summer filled with meetings with policymakers and visits to governmental institutions, one of the most inspiring sessions the students experienced was with FOX sportscaster James Brown.Mr. Brown, who is well-known for hosting the Sunday NFL broadcasts on FOX, told the students about his experience working with his panelists Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmie Johnson. But he spent more time talking with the students about life lessons. Mr. Brown attended Harvard on a basketball scholarship. After failing to win a spot on a professional basketball team, he began a corporate career with IBM. Having a passion for sports and broadcasting, he worked his way up from local spot reporter to host of one of the most-watched shows in sports television and owner of a successful production company. He talked with the students about lessons he has learned along the way. The session took place after dinner at the home of Institute donors Michael and Harolyn Cardozo in Bethesda, Maryland.
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During a private meeting in his office in the United States Capitol, Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black told the junior class that their chances of achieving their dreams depends on two things – living a moral life and outworking their peers. Chaplain Black’s life is certainly an example of hard work. He worked himself up from a difficult existence in one of Baltimore’s bleakest housing projects to being elected in 2003 to be the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate. Prior to coming to Capitol Hill, Chaplain Black served in the U.S. Navy for over twenty-seven years, ending his distinguished career as the Chief of Navy Chaplains. As Rear Admiral, his personal decorations included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two medals), Meritorious Service Medals (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (two awards), and numerous unit awards, campaign, and service medals.
In addition to earning Master of Arts degrees in Divinity, Counseling, and Management, Chaplain Black has earned a Doctorate in Ministry and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Psychology.
Our national history is replete with societal leaders who, due to lack of a formal education, have often been dismissed as not being “intellectual.” Yet, such leaders, who may have rightfully been judged as unlikely to make any serious contribution to mankind, have ascended from the most restricted of personal situations to platforms that made large contributions to our society possible. How? In his talk, titled Radicals and Librarians: Finding Inspiration in Black History,Dr. Allen argued convincingly that a basic thirst for literacy and greedy consumption of knowledge was a critical factor in achieving these amazing transformations.
Kurt L. Schmoke, dean of the Howard University School of Law was a perfect person to inspire our students to set high goals for themselves. Mr. Schmoke earned his undergraduate degree in History from Yale University and pursued graduate studies on a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford. He earned the Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Schmoke was a Maryland State’s Attorney for five years and served as the mayor of Baltimore for twelve. In 1992, President George Bush awarded him the national Literacy Award for his efforts to promote adult literacy, and in 1994 President Bill Clinton praised his programs to improve public housing and enhance community economic development. The Clinton Administration named Baltimore one of six cities to receive Empowerment Zone designation in 1994.
Schmoke’s other public service includes his appointment as Assistant Director of the White House Domestic Policy Staff under President Jimmy Carter.
Following a talk by the Curator of African American History and Culture, and an exhibit tour led by Curator of Information Technology David Allison, the students were treated to a concert featuring freedom songs.
After a guided tour of the mansion and grounds of Mount Vernon, President George Washington’s Virginia home, Professor Allen talked with the students and guests about George Washington’s selflessness as father of the country.
All of the students participating in the Institute visited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a meeting with Secretary Alfonzo Jackson. During this session, Secretary Jackson answered the students’ questions about housing policy, but spent more time inspiring them to work hard to accomplish their career objectives. He also inspired them to play an active role in politics, using politics as a tool to help improve the lives of people in their communities.
Every summer, Justice Clarence Thomas takes time away from his demanding schedule to meet with our students. Late June is a difficult time for him to do so because the Supreme Court is in the process of handing down its final decisions for the term. But Justice Thomas never fails.
During the meetings, he talks with the students for hours about anything the students desire. Most importantly, he reminds them that the Supreme Court is not intended to be a legislative body, but one that judges cases on the basis of what the Constitution says.
This evening, the junior class sat in the Washington studios of MSNBC as one of the Iran hostages was interviewed on “Hardball”. In addition to spending some time with Chris Matthews off the set, the students had a chance to talk with the guest and hear about the sacrifices that brave men and women make on a regular basis to protect our freedom and secure the freedom of others.
After completing their internships for the day, the seniors went to the Heritage Foundation to begin a four-session writing workshop. John McConnell, one of President Bush’s top speechwriters, was there for session one to teach our students and a dozen Heritage interns about speechwriting. In the coming weeks, they will hear from other writing professionals about various aspects of writing.
Local professional Keith Robertson introduced the Institute’s seniors to the basics of golf. The students will spend four Sunday evenings learning putting, chipping and driving, and will conclude the sessions by playing a round of golf at the Golf Course in Olney, Maryland.
On this Saturday afternoon, after a two-hour Government seminar, the junior class was treated to a private tour of the West Wing of the White House. They entered the White House by walking by the Situation Room, where so many important decisions have been made in country’s history.They visited the Cabinet Room, the Roosevelt Room, and the Oval Office.In the Press Briefing Room, the guys had a chance to take pictures in front of that famous blue sign that lets the world know that the speaker is at The White House. Before leaving, the guys took a group picture on the North Lawn.
One day after meeting President Bush, the students went to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in Washington to see the hometown Nationals take on the Toronto Blue Jays. To their delight, President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice showed up and sat not too far away.In the photo, Senior Terrell Frazier, a journalism major at Michigan State University, chats with Ray Walker, opinions editor at Knight Ridder Tribune. Terrell interned at KRT last summer and wrote articles that were published in newspapers all over the United States.
This morning, the students boarded a bus at the main gate at Georgetown University. When they arrived at a high school in suburban Maryland, they were escorted to seats on the stage. Not long after that, they leapt to their feet when they heard the announcer say, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.” The 20 young men who are participating in the Institute for Responsible Citizenship sat behind President George W. Bush as he made a speech on Social Security reform. After the speech, each of them had a chance to speak to the President and shake his hand. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050623.html
Statistics show that boys are at greater risk than girls for dropping out of school, for violence and juvenile arrest. The National Association of Street Schools is developing the High Risk, High Achievement Initiative, a 3 ½ year effort beginning in four Denver-area schools, to serve 125 at-risk minority boys. The initiative will guide the boys away from destructive activities and toward positive life change. It will supplement school-day activities with after-school, summer and mentorship programs provided by Denver area partner non-profit organizations; a cohesive new year-around effort to help students catch a vision for their future, develop a moral code and achieve academically. NASS member schools have a successful 20-year track record of delivering intervention programs that get at-risk boys off the streets, into the classroom and on their way to self-sufficiency. T he Street School Model has been recognized by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as the only faith-based model of six models deemed “replicable” in the Gates Alternative High Schools Initiative.This evening, Wendy Piersee, Vice-President of Development and Operations, and Denise Lechtenberger, Director of Development, met with the Institute’s students on the Georgetown campus. They discussed the components of the new initiative and solicited the students’ continuing counsel.
 Paul J. Adams III |
 Jeanette DiBella |
This afternoon, members of the Senior class visited to Federal Courthouse for a meeting with the Honorable Douglas Ginsburg, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Chief Judge Ginsburg talked with the students about the workings of the federal judiciary and especially the types of cases that are brought in the D.C. Circuit.
Judge Ginsburg has served on the Court since 1986. He was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on September 23 of that year and confirmed by the Senate on October 8. He has served as Chief Judge since 2001.
Few judges would have been more well-suited to talk to the students. Among the entries on his resume: Professor (1975-1983) and Lecturer (1988-1989) at Harvard Law School; Visiting Professor of Law at Columbia University (1987-1988); Visiting Senior Lecturer and Charles J. Merriam Scholar at the University of Chicago Law School (1990, 1992, 1994); and Distinguished Professor of Law at George Mason University Law School (1988-1993).
He has also served as Law Clerk for the Honorable Carl McGowan in the District of Columbia Circuit (1973-1974) and the Honorable Thurgood Marshall, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1974-1975).
He later served as Deputy Assistant U.S. Attorney General (1983-1984) and Assistant Attorney General (1985-1986). Both appointments were in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
On July 30, nine students were honored at a special graduation ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. The three hour event consisted of a luncheon, acknowledgement of special guests, and remarks by Institute president William A. Keyes. Professors William B. Allen and Thomas C. Rustici also addressed the graduates.
Each student was recognized for his achievements during his two years in the Institute and presented with a diploma and Institute pin. As members of the inaugural class the students also signed the Institute's charter. Parents, friends, and members of the junior class also signed the charter as witnesses.
The Honorable Kurt L. Schmoke, Dean of the Howard University Law School, hosted sixteen IRC students for a private briefing. Mr. Schmoke, who is also a former mayor of Baltimore and a former Rhodes Scholar, discussed a range of topics with the students, from public policy issues to law school applications.
This morning, the nine members of the inaugural class met with Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy for more than an hour in the Lawyer's Lounge of the U.S. Supreme Court. Justice Kennedy discussed the process by which the court makes its decisions. The event was arranged by one of Justice Kennedy's clerks, Marc Allen, who is the son of Institute professor William B. Allen.
Yesterday, the sixteen members of the junior class spent more than three hours with Associate Justice Clarence Thomas. Seated around a large conference table in the Retired Chief Justices' Chambers, the students were able to ask Justice Thomas questions on a range of issues. This was Justice Thomas' second summer hosting Institute students at the Supreme Court.