SPRING 2014
CENTENNIALYEARBOOK bachelor of arts in public policy program
open house 2014
sarah koehn, gregory terryn, chelsea belanger, madeline mcilhon
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy University of Michigan Joan and Sanford Weill Hall 735 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091 734 764 3490
celebrating the holidays
commencement 2014
brittany jones delivering remarks on behalf of the graduating ba class at commencement
“I
nside the classroom, you’ve been an exceptional group — engaging to teach as well as keenly engaged in your studies. Outside the classroom, you’re equally impressive — serving as tireless community leaders with a true passion for making our world a better place. I have been repeatedly impressed by the broad set of experiences, ideas, and skills you all have brought to the Ford School, and I very much look forward to hearing news of your summer experiences, careers, and accomplishments in the years ahead. Congratulations and best wishes.” Sharon Maccini
2014 CLASS PHOTO
CHARITY AUCTION
Director, Ford School Undergraduate Degree Program
Kimberly Beck (BA’14) Michigan in Washington program participant
“P Dean Collins and DiSC (Diversity Student Coalition) members Brittany Jones (BA ‘14) and Fernando Coello (BA ‘14)
Policy Talks @ the Ford School
“N
elson Mandela, who died this past year at the age of 95, once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” He was a wise man, in so many ways. As you look to the future — summer internships, new cities, new jobs, and new challenges — use your education to be great, and to do great things. And whenever you’re in town, walk through those doors on State and Hill to share news of your lives and accomplishments. Please stay in touch and know that you always have a home here in Ann Arbor. With best wishes.” Susan M. Collins Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy
rops to the BAs for keeping us sharp and better informed. Thanks to all of you, we’re now conversant on subSaharan coal plant politics, how to close Gitmo, and the ethics of drones. We ourselves have no idea how to solve these issues, but are grateful that you all have thought long and hard about them. All the best in your future endeavors. May they be rewarding and important. “ David Morse, Beth Chimera, and Alex Ralph Writing Center Instructors (AKA, your fans at the Ford School Writing Center)
Ray Batra (BA ‘15) asking Liz Gerber, Jack L. Walker, Jr. Professor of Public Policy, a question during a Policy Talks @ the Ford School event on “Metropolitan Areas, Regionalism, and the Politics of Intergovernmental Cooperation”
“C
oming into Ford I only knew a few people, leaving Ford I feel like I know my entire class.” Donavan McKinney (BA ’14)
“M
POLICY SEMINARS
y experience with Michigan in Washington was absolutely fantastic! I loved my internship as a member of the International Energy Security team at the Center for American Progress. I met the Dalai Lama, had lunch with Ernie Moniz (U.S. Secretary of Energy), had dinner with John Podesta and met many other incredible people. I was published in four different reports and was a co-author on an article, all of which were done through my internship. Living three blocks from the White House was amazing and morning/ sunset runs were incredible over the Potomac.”
FA L L 2 0 1 2 International Security Robert Axelrod Human Rights Susan Waltz
WINTER 2013 Health and Environmental Policy in the Age of Biotechnology Shobita Parthasarathy Political Advocacy Richard Hall
FA L L 2 0 1 3
Eric Ferguson (BA ‘15) and Carl Levin
Craig Kaplan (BA ‘15)
(photo taken by Craig Kaplan)
Apology, Reconciliation, Reparations, & Public Policy Yazier Henry Immigration Reform Ann Lin History and Public Policy Joy Rohde
WINTER 2014 Social Welfare Policy Mary Corcoran Energy and the Environment Catherine Hausman
NAVAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE The Naval Academy’s annual Leadership Conference invites more than 200 participants annually to address leadership topics relevant to government, business, and academia, as well as the military. Hannah Moiseev (BA ’14) Matt Andonian (BA ’14)
Yazier Henry delivering remarks on behalf of the faculty at Commencement.
“I
am amazed every year at how the students in my class are willing to overcome themselves in order to learn. In my class students faced and were willing to engage with very difficult content and subject matter. These young women and men do not conform to any simplistic notion of what undergraduate students are like. Engaging such amazing minds and future leaders intellectually in the classroom here at the Ford School makes teaching meaningful.” Yazier Henry Lecturer
MICHIGAN IN WASHINGTON, FALL 2013
“I
taught an undergraduate course in the fall semester for the first time in my postgovernment career. I had always been reluctant to teach undergrads thinking that they might not be prepared for the kind of written and group work I assigned…Not only was I pleasantly surprised, I was bowled over by the quality of the undergrads' work.
“B
ig thanks to the 495 (Energy and the Environment) students for making my first year of teaching at the Ford School so much fun. You ask great questions!
It was a terrific experience for me, and I hope to repeat it soon.” Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky Professor of International Policy and Practice
Ambassador Levitsky (left) with John Negroponte, 15th U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, at a Policy Talks @ the Ford School lecture.
“W
hether we were wrestling with how to close Guantanamo, leading a role-play exercise on the ChadCameroon pipeline deal, discussing why climate change regulation has been so difficult to advance, or working on policy memos and talking points, this year’s BA class brought great energy and engagement to the course.
I look forward to hearing where your internships, studies, and careers take you. “ Catherine Hausman Assistant Professor
“I
Best wishes to you all.” John Ciorciari Assistant Professor
A SELFIE
have been so thrilled by this year’s graduating class' abilities not only within the classroom, but beyond it as well. They have been engaged in the community from day one including founding DiSC which has instigated and continued important conversations within the Ford School. I am continually delighted when I hear about their post-graduation plans — among them TFA, Scoville Peace Fellowship and Google among others. A truly dynamic class of students.” Amy Flanagan BA Program Coordinator
Michigan in Washington students with University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman at the University of Michigan DC Alumni Congressional Breakfast. Ford School students pictured: Eric Ferguson, Craig Kaplan, Katie Koziara, Evelyn Galván, Trip (James) Brennen, Garrett Kessler, and Blake LaFuente
“T
he policy simulations are one of my favorite Ford School signatures. I really enjoyed how intense and tangible the policy issues became.” Brittany Jones (BA ’14)
HONORS and AWARDS
STUDY ABROAD
“I
James B. Angell Scholars Angell Scholars are undergraduate students who earn all A’s for two or more consecutive terms in a calendar year. Maria Dambriunas, Adam Fisher, Erin Kannar Freeman, Ben Gloger, Lauren Kobrick, Talia Kula, Patrick Maillet, Sarah Pizer, Kelsey Rhodes, Phoebe Rosenfeld, Matthew Skiba, Emma Tinsley, Emily Van Dusen
Ben Gloger (BA ‘14) on the right
was blown away by the dedication and insight of the students in my History and Public Policy course. Whether we were discussing the relationship between the New Deal origins of the welfare state and the current debate about cash assistance programs, or the similarities between foreign policy in the Cold War and the War on Terror, the class was unfailingly lively, engaged, and informed. Best wishes.” Joy Rohde Assistant Professor
Phi Beta Kappas Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776, is the oldest scholastic honorary society in America.
“T
Matthew Andonian, Caroline Andridge, Adam Fisher, Erica Reich, Gregory Terryn, Emma Tinsley, Emily Van Dusen
he Class of 2014 is special for me — my first class as a GSI. Though we got through it together by trial and error (mostly error!), I want to say thank you. Thank you for making me realize that I wanted to teach, and thank you for giving me one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had in my years at the University…As you leave for new experiences, never forget the dreams and aspirations that led you to the Ford School in the first place… Weill Hall won’t be the same without you (until, like me, you decide to return!).
Presidential Fellow Across the nation, seventy-five Presidential Fellowships are awarded each year by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress. Ben Gloger (BA ’14)
Scoville Peace Fellowship The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship is a highly-competitive national fellowship program that provides recent college and grad school graduates with the opportunity to gain a Washington perspective on key issues of peace and security.
Congratulations, Class of 2014 and Forever Go Blue!” Emad Ansari MPP/JD Candidate Graduate Student Instructor (Pub Pol 320)
Greg Terryn (BA ’14)
Amy Roggenburg (BA’14) Studying abroad in London
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS DIVERSITY STUDENT COALITION (DiSC)
UNDERGRADUATE COUNCIL GAMMA RHO PHI
PEER ADVISORS Salam Sheikh-Khalil (BA ’14) Hannah Moiseev (BA ’14)
DiSC members from the first Diversity Summit of the year
INTERNATIONAL POLICY STUDENT ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES (IPSA) Matt Andonian (BA ’14) Courtney Green (BA ’15)
DiSC members: Brittany Jones, Raeesa Khan, Salma Moosa, Patrick Sier
CHARITY AUCTION REPRESENTATIVES
“A
Hannah Moiseev (BA ’14) Sarah Pizer (BA ’14)
pplying to the Ford School was one of the best decisions I’ve made in college. From detailed coursework to extremely knowledgeable professors to inspiring peers, I’m thankful for all the experiences I’ve had at Ford and all the wonderful connections I’ve made here. “ Harsha Nahata (BA ’14)
ALUMNI BOARD Kelsey Rhodes (BA ‘14)
Ford students: Jeremy Batt, Madeline McIlhon, Emily Mannisto, Emad Ansari (GSI), Sasha Altschuler, Emma Tinsley, Kelsey Byrne
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA visited the University of Michigan on April 2, 2014, promoting his effort to raise the federal minimum wage. This picture shows Hannah Moiseev, Sarah Pizer, David Seidman, and Amy Roggenburg.
Leslie Horwitz and Sarah Pizer
“I
am studying abroad in Seville, Spain with Kimberly Goldman, a fellow member of the BA 2015 cohort. This picture was taken in front of the Pantheon in Rome.” Emily Viola (BA ’15)
“M
ichigan in Washington was a great time to live the life of a young professional while I was still in school. The ability to connect what I'm learning with the real world also let me to do some pretty cool things. Here are some friends and I at the Michigan Inaugural Ball. The entire Michigan delegation was there! “ Travis Albright (BA’14)
STAY CONNECTED
CENTENNIAL REUNION
@fordschool #fordschool100
Stay Connected and Informed Complete your graduation survey with your preferred email address. Join the Ford School’s LinkedIn and Facebook groups and follow us on Twitter.
Return to Ann Arbor October 31 – November 1 for the Ford School’s Centennial Reunion weekend. Highlights include a Centennial Lecture by Steven D. Levitt, author of Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics; Open House at Weill Hall; Happy Hour at Dominick’s; Go Blue Tailgate; Homecoming Football Game, the Wolverines vs. Hoosiers at the Big House.
New job? Promotion?
For more details, check out: fordschool.umich.edu/100-reunion
Update your information at: fordschool.umich.edu/ stay-connected/update/
NOTE: Invitations will mail in June, so be sure to submit address changes at: fordschool.umich.edu/stay-connected/update/
“Y
ou are not just graduates of a great university. You are graduates of a school of public policy, which implies that you — your ideas and passions, your hard work and drive and grit — can help shape the policies that government adopts."
Fordies support the Ford School! We rely on your support to provide scholarships and enhance programming. Make a gift online or by calling 734-615-3892.
WORLDWIDE FORD SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY Will be held on July 10, 2014. Attend or plan a Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day in a city near you.
Harsha Nahata (in the colorful scarf) speaking with Kevyn Orr, Emergency Manager of the City of Detroit, at a Policy Talks @ the Ford School event
Excerpt from Senator Carl Levin’s keynote speech at the Ford School's centennial commencement ceremony