track TFAS newsletter
Fall 2010
Chairman Randal C. Teague
President Roger R. Ream
TFAS students visit the U.S. Capitol where they were briefed by Rep. Adrian Smith (Neb.).
SUMMER WITH TFAS: Hundreds of Students Invade Washington, D.C. On July 30, TFAS closed the books on another successful summer as 395 students graduated from its U.S. undergraduate programs. John Allison, former chairman and CEO of BB&T Bank, gave the keynote address on principled leadership. In his speech, Allison stressed that a successful career is measured not only by financial wealth but also by the happiness and pride one gains through honorable work. “An interesting thing happens when you’re clear about your purpose and you use your thinking capacity to accomplish your purpose; you get to do something very important. You get to raise your self-esteem,” said Allison. “And self-esteem is the foundation for happiness.” On top of coursework, students attended site briefings at the U.S. Department of State, World Bank and Federal Reserve. Rep. Adrian Smith (Neb.) hosted them on the floor of the House of Representatives, while diplomatic officials of various embassies around the city opened their doors to the students as well. Continued on page 3.
From the Chairman & President
There is an oft told story of Benjamin Franklin, emerging from the constitutional convention, being asked by a woman known only as Mrs. Powell, “Mr. Franklin, what kind of government have you given us?” “A Republic, madam,” he is said to have replied, “If you can keep it.”
America truly is an experiment in liberty. Unlike most countries throughout history, it was founded on a set of ideas rather than on ethnic, religious or geographic conditions. For the first time in human history, government’s purpose wasn’t to grant or deny rights as it saw fit, but to protect its citizens’ natural rights. Government’s legitimacy came from the consent of the governed – “We the People.” Whether this republic continues successfully and whether we remain what Lincoln called “the world’s last best hope” will soon be up to today’s youth. It is our job to prepare young people for leadership. The Fund for American Studies’ summer Institutes are some of the many ways we do this. It is my hope that the 700 students who participated in our summer programs this year have been challenged, enlightened and inspired toward the kind of honorable leadership that will secure our republic for future generations. Thank you for all you have done to help us accomplish this important work.
Law Program Teaches Constitutional Principles, Provides Unlimited Opportunities for Future Leaders Page 3 photos top to bottom: John Allison, former chairman and CEO of BB&T Bank, delivers remarks during the D.C. Institutes’ commencement ceremony. | IBGA student Jose Elasmar, who interned with Eastman Kodak this summer, meets Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.) at the Congressional Scholarship Award Dinner. | Constitutional scholars (l.-r.) Nadine Strossen, former ACLU president, and Roger Pilon of the Cato Institute participate in the first ever debate on the future of liberty in America before an audience of TFAS students. | NBC Correspondent Luke Russert speaks to IPJ students.
Photos left to right: John Yoo, former deputy assistant for the attorney general’s Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice addresses students at the LSI commencement ceremony. | Justice Antonin Scalia briefs LSI students at the Supreme Court.
This summer 40 law students participated in the Legal Studies Institute (LSI), a 10-week program offering in-depth teaching about the Constitution, legal internship placements and career development activities. One of the newest TFAS programs, LSI reaches students who have completed their first or second year of law school. The coursework counters the notion – taught in many law schools – of a “living Constitution” and focuses on the Founders’ intent. In addition, the program provides legal experience in the form of internships at organizations such as Better Business Bureau, the International Law Institute and the Federalist Society. “It’s rare to find a program that effectively combines an excellent teaching program with hands-on learning, but this program does just that,” said Ann Michelle Hart of the University of the Pacific. “The value and benefit of having this program in the nation’s capital is indescribable.” LSI students also attended private lectures, exclusive site briefings and numerous special events at many of Washington’s legal institutions. Students 2
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met with top legal experts, policy makers and judges, including Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. In the three-credit constitutional law course, students examined the Constitution, the principles on which it is based and foundational documents such as the Federalist Papers. The seminar’s academic emphasis is placed on the historical and philosophical arguments for limited, constitutional government. John Yoo, a law professor and former deputy assistant for the attorney general’s Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, gave the keynote
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address during the commencement ceremony. Yoo spoke about his book Crisis in Command: A History of Executive Power from George Washington to George W. Bush, which outlines the use of executive powers during times of national crisis. Referencing both his book and the Federalist Papers, Yoo explained the great need for a powerful commander in chief. Michelle Hart spoke at graduation on behalf of the LSI class. In her speech Hart told the audience, “Our time in D.C. has given us perspective on what it’s like to be a lawyer, to do substantive work and to gain skills relevant to finding that first job out of law school.”
It’s rare to find a program that effectively combines an excellent teaching program with hands-on learning, but this program does just that.”
Continued from page 1.
Each Institute also held a weekly guest lecture series. Speakers, including The Weekly Standard’s Fred Barnes and Mary Katherine Hamm, spoke to IPJ students. Representatives from Pacific Gas and Electric Company and the American Gas Association spoke on the subject of environmental policy to IBGA students. IPVS students attended a panel on nonprofit foundations, and a TFAS alumnus spoke to ICPES students at the Central Intelligence Agency. “If you want to learn more about your country, and you want to do it with motivating people around you and with great teachers, this is the place for you,” said IPVS student Brian Ogweno of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. In order to facilitate student and alumni networking, TFAS hosted roundtable events throughout the summer. More than 30 alumni participated in these informal discussions, offering career advice and inspiration to small groups of students. “Keep in touch with your classmates, with your mentor and with your intern supervisor,” advised Jeremy Harrell (E 07) during one roundtable discussion. “These are people who may not only help you to get a job after graduation, but will also be great people to keep in your life for support and guidance.” Alumni were also among the more than 200 professionals that participated in this year’s mentor program. The volunteers were matched with students to provide career advice and support throughout the summer. The annual award ceremonies were a highlight of the summer. IBGA students met Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.) at the 20th anniversary Congressional Scholarship Award Dinner. Senators Richard Burr (N.C.) and Roger Wicker (Miss.) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (Colo.) and former Sen. Trent Lott (Miss.) also attended. During the event TFAS Trustee Louis DeJoy, chairman and CEO of New Breed Logistics, was honored with the 2010 Corporate Award for his support of TFAS and professional success. The dinner raised almost $120,000 for scholarships. At a reception with ICPES students, Suzanne K. Scholte, president of the Defense Forum Foundation, received the Walter Judd Freedom Award for her work on North Korean human rights. Cash prizes totaling $19,000 were awarded to outstanding journalists at an event at the National Press Club. A team of reporters from Philadelphia Daily News received the prize for investigative reporting for their story “Tainted Justice,” and USA Today reporter Kathy Chu won for excellence in economic reporting for her story “The Credit Trap.” First place for the Robert Novak Collegiate Journalism Award was given to Thomas Corrigan of The Stanford Review. Dr. Les Lenkowsky received the 2010 David R. Jones Award for Leadership in Philanthropy. Lenkowsky was the founding faculty director of IPVS in 1999. During the event IPVS students also presented a check for $3,200 to Capitol Partners for Education, a result of their summer fundraising efforts and grant-making project. “The Fund for American Studies program could not have been better,” said IPJ student Tristan Hallman of St. Edward’s University. “I’ve shaken hands with senators and congressmen, asked questions of public officials and been places I would never have thought I would be by age 21.” TFAStrack Newsletter
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Left to right: Supporter David Rosenberger meets Dr. Charles Krauthammer during the opening dinner. | Stephen Hayes (A 94), senior writer for The Weekly Standard and FOX News contributor, speaks to guests. | A future TFAS alumnus admires a brick donated by alumnus Mark Levin (E 76) at the Center for Teaching Freedom.
ANNUAL SPRING CONFERENCE: A Weekend of Speakers, Awards, History and Champagne More than 230 supporters of The Fund for American Studies attended annual conference events on April 15 and 16 in Washington, D.C.
Krauthammer’s speech, “American Exceptionalism in the Age of Obama,” discussed liberty in the United States and its influence on other countries.
Awards were presented to professors, supporters and alumni. Dr. Terrence Reynolds won the Outstanding Professor Award for his work teaching the course Ethical Perspectives on the Media to IPJ students. Trustee Emeritus Peter McPherson, president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, received the David R. Jones Lifetime Service Award.
George Washington was central to the conference’s theme. Guests visited Mt. Vernon, home of George and Martha Washington, where they toured the grounds and were briefed by historian John Marshall and Charles G. Koch senior fellow at TFAS Jim Otteson.
Alumni Council Chairman Daniel McConchie (J 93, A 95) presented the 2010 alumni awards. Former South Carolina State Sen. James Ritchie (E 83) was honored with the Alumni Achievement Award, John Sweda (E 97) received the Kevin Burket Alumni Service Award,
A welcome dinner was held at the Ritz-Carlton with keynote remarks by Pulitzer Prize winner and syndicated columnist Dr. Charles Krauthammer.
Participants received a private tour of the Society of the Cincinnati’s Anderson House, a 50-room mansion located in the historical Dupont Circle neighborhood. George Washington was the Society’s first president general, a position he held until his death in 1799. While at the building, Stephen Hayes (A 94), senior writer for The Weekly Standard, FOX 4
News contributor and former director of the Institute on Political Journalism, spoke to guests.
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and the Young Alumnus Award was given to Mary Ellen Burke (J 05). The three recipients delivered inspiring remarks. “As I prepare for my next assignment overseas with the State Department, I know that during those long days, when I am homesick for my homeland, it’s The Fund’s principles of liberty and democracy that will remind me of why I do the work that I do,” remarked Sweda. The conference came to a close after a special brick-unveiling ceremony and champagne toast at the Center for Teaching Freedom, the newest TFAS building. Those who donated bricks in 2009 for the Alumni Scholarship Fund stood by as their personalized bricks were revealed for the first time on the building’s patio.
When I am homesick for my homeland, it’s The Fund’s principles of liberty and democracy that will remind me of why I do the work that I do.”
BEST OF THE BLOG www.PileusBlog.com
Obviously, the subsidies were used as a tool of coalition building. But at the same time, they created questions for all: “where would the line be drawn? Who would get special taxpayer subsidies and who would not?”
Formed by a group of scholars with a shared commitment to liberty and personal responsibility, Pileus is a blog hosted by TFAS. This post, entitled “Uncertainty, the Small Investor, and Recovery,” was written by Marc Eisner.
Things have changed significantly since the 1930s. Government has more than doubled in size relative to GDP and many of the forms of spending that seemed so novel during the New Deal have become a central component of what many consider to be a minimally functional state.
By now, we have all heard the basic argument that a core problem impeding recovery during the 1930s was the uncertainty created by public policy. In Robert Higgs’ words: “The New Deal prolonged the Great Depression by creating an extraordinarily high degree of regime uncertainty in the minds of investors.” New or anticipated taxes and regulations were at the heart of this uncertainty. Burton Folsom notes in a recent book: “Roosevelt’s special-interest spending created insatiable demands by almost all groups of voters for special subsidies. That, in itself, created regime uncertainty.”
Another thing that has changed: whereas during the 1930s, the pool of investors was largely limited to the wealthy. In the past quarter century, in contrast, a majority of Americans have stepped into the market, often through a 401(k) or an IRA. We became a nation of investors. To bring things full circle, I turn your attention to a piece by Graham Bowley in the New York Times, “In Striking Shift, Small Investors Flee Stock Market.”
Lasting
The lead: “Renewed economic uncertainty is testing Americans’ generation-long love affair with the stock market.”
Leaders MAKE A
IMPACT FUTURE
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OF AMERICA
Receive high fixed payments with a charitable gift annuity.
“For a lot of ordinary people, the economic recovery does not feel real,” said Loren Fox, a senior analyst at Strategic Insight, a New York research and data firm. “People are not going to rush toward the stock market on a sustained basis until they feel more confident of employment growth and the sustainability of the economic recovery.” This trend is being reinforced by baby boomers readjusting their portfolios away from equities and toward bond funds and the loss of real estate value (and hence a loss in the capacity to use the house as an ATM). For decades, political scientists and economists have spoken of a political business cycle wherein elected officials goose the economy in the months leading up to an election to maximize their votes, leaving the long-term economic fallout until after the election. Now that nearly every man and woman is an investor, things may be more complicated. One must ask whether the efforts to prove that something is being done are convincing voters and small investors that the future is quite uncertain, thereby having the unintended consequence of prolonging the recession.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY ? • Depending on your age, the payout rates offered by a charitable gift annuity can be as high as 9.5% – much higher than returns offered by some interest bearing accounts and stock investments. • Charitable gift annuities provide a safe, income-producing investment alternative in this current and uncertain economic environment. • You receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your gift. • Your partially tax-free annuity payments are guaranteed for life, backed by a reserve and the assets of The Fund for American Studies. • You can have the satisfaction of making a significant gift that benefits you now and The Fund for American Studies later.
For a confidential, no-obligation illustration of benefits based on your age(s), call The Fund for American Studies’ Legacy Society office at 800-741-6964, and ask for Ed Turner at extension 238. For more information visit www.TFAS.org/legacy. TFAStrack Newsletter
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Left to right: (l.-r.) Cambodian student Socheata Vong and American student Adam Smith (B 09) learn about one another’s culture while attending AIPE in Hong Kong. | A team of AIPES students participate in a parliamentary simulation. | Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland delivers the commencement address to AIPES students.
TFAS INTERNATIONAL: A Cross-Cultural Exchange Still aboard the Arbella, John Winthrop admonished his shipmates and fellow American colonists, “We must always consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill – the eyes of all people are upon us.”
the Cato Institute taught the American government and constitutional theory section of AIPES and Dr. Kurt Rotthoff of Seton Hall University taught the economics portion.
Today the eyes of the world are upon The Fund for American Studies, and its international programs focus on teaching the American model of individual liberty and limited government in an effort to encourage students around the globe to apply these concepts to their classrooms and careers at home.
As part of their coursework, students participated in a legislative simulation in which they passed bills on issues such as taxation, gun rights and criminal punishment.
First opening its doors to the international community after the fall of the Berlin Wall by providing scholarships to students from Europe to attend its U.S. programs, TFAS has since established Institutes overseas. This summer The Fund’s overseas programs brought together more than 250 of the brightest college students from around the world for intense academic and cross-cultural exchange in the Czech Republic, Greece and Hong Kong. The 109 students from 32 countries who participated in The American Institute on Political and Economic Systems (AIPES) in Prague, Czech Republic benefited from the experienced tutelage of returning faculty. Dr. Roger Pilon of 6
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“The debate and legislative ingenuity of the AIPES students was staggeringly impressive,” said Sam Potolicchio, assistant professor at Georgetown University. “It doesn’t take much imagination to envision these students debating similar issues at very high levels of leadership in their own countries.” New this year, 28 students participated in a moot court simulation involving legal argumentation before a hypothetical appellate court. Participants assumed the roles of appellate lawyers and judges, arguing and deciding two cases that were assigned readings, both of which concerned the federal government’s authority under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. The European Journalism Institute (EJI) took place simultaneously with
AIPES in Prague. The program worked to strengthen the journalism skills of professional reporters with an emphasis on business and economic issues. This year’s class included 32 students from 24 countries. The International Institute for Political and Economic Studies (IIPES), held each summer in Chania, Crete in Greece, is designed to engage students from the Eastern Mediterranean region in an exchange of ideas and cultures. The class of 2010 included 79 students representing 21 countries. Dr. Michael Collins of Georgetown University and Dr. Antony Sullivan, TFAS senior fellow, engaged the students in intense studies and discussions on political economy and philosophy. Tom Palmer, senior fellow at the Cato Institute, delivered the Freda Utley Lecture on Political Economy, and Dr. Faten Ghosn (I 99) from the University of Arizona led the students in a rigorous course on conflict management, marking the first time an alumna returned to IIPES as a professor. “Since 1999, I have always thought about one day giving back to IIPES, and more importantly how to continue the message of IIPES, which I try today to do
THE PROOF IS IN THE NUMBERS TFAS Changes lives
NI M U L A Y SURVE
This summer alumni were invited to participate in a survey about their TFAS experience. Many alumni answered the call – overwhelmingly indicating the positive impact TFAS has on its students. Here are some of the exciting results.
Top five reasons alumni are impressed with TFAS today 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
in my teaching,” said Ghosn. “I really am grateful for this opportunity. I truly enjoyed the experience and the challenge.” The Asia Institute for Political Economy (AIPE) in Hong Kong boasted 73 students from 17 countries this year, and welcomed back professors Andrew Morriss from the University of Alabama and John Baker of Louisiana State University. “Learning the fundamentals of the American constitution made me realize the importance of political and economic freedom among people as being an important pillar for development,” said AIPE student Suniti Thapa, a junior at Harvard University. “Besides, the academic program, AIPE made it possible to meet students from various Asian countries and the United States and develop lifelong friendships.” Park Sang Hak, president of the organization Fighters for Free North Korea, delivered remarks at AIPE’s commencement ceremony. Hak defected from North Korea 10 years ago. He spoke about his experiences and his work to promote freedom in North Korea.
Alumni are achieving success in their careers Distinguished professors serve on the faculty Well-known speakers address students TFAS students are academically excellent Student applications are increasing
How did TFAS impact your life? Helped get first job Learned professional skills Improved academically Made lifelong friends Provided professional contacts All of the above Made no difference Other 0
50
Did the Institute give you confidence in your abilities and prospects for the future?
81% Yes
100
150
200
250
Did the Institute influence your perspective on the role of government?
3% No
1% Other
15% Somewhat
5% Unsure
1% Unsure
49% Yes
32% Somewhat 13% No
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: ATTENTION FOR D E OV TFAS APPR D E IN 2010 COMB N! IG A P AM FEDERAL C vernment If you’re a go member to employee, re S 30805 designate TFA pient. reci as your CFC
2010 LEADERSHIP NETWORK
PA L M BEACH TFAS invites you to attend its post-election fall Leadership Network where TFAS
leaders, supporters and alumni will interact with one another and attend presentations by America’s leading experts on the 2010 elections and current public policy issues.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Stuart Varney
November 12-13, Palm Beach, Florida
HIGHLIGHTED SPEAKERS
Stuart Varney, FOX News Business and Financial Journalist
John Bolton, Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Fred Barnes, The Weekly Standard Executive Editor and FOX News Commentator
John Bolton
Stephen Hayes, Senior Writer for The Weekly Standard and FOX News Contributor
Ken Blackwell, Former Ohio Secretary of State
Will Weatherford (B 02), Florida State Representative
CONTACT: JANE MACK
jmack@TFAS.org • 800-741-6964
Fred Barnes
For up to date information, full list of speakers and to register, visit www.TFAS.org/Fall