Dear friends,
Happy New Year! It’s a delight to see Weill Hall bustling with students once again, as classes kicked off last week. The excitement was further amplified by Secretary Pete Buttigieg's visit earlier this week. He delivered an insightful discussion on his time as Transportation Secretary, on leadership, on public service, on the importance of local government, and much more. If you missed it, you can watch his talk here and don’t forget to explore the upcoming Policy Talks events scheduled for this semester.
For our alumni and friends in the DC area, we warmly invite you to join us on February 6 for a special student and alumni networking reception as part of our annual DC Career Trip. Renowned public management scholar Don Moynihan will deliver the keynote address. This event is an excellent opportunity to network with fellow Fordies. A special note: we announced earlier this week that Jennifer Niggemeier will retire from the University after 32 years of service; this will be her final DC Trip reception, and I know she hopes to see many of our alumni and friends there!
Recently, many of us have reflected on President Jimmy Carter’s incredible life. This NYT article beautifully describes the friendship that blossomed between Carter and Gerald Ford following their 1976 presidential rivalry. Watching Carter’s funeral, I was especially moved when Ford’s son delivered the eulogy that Ford had written for Carter before his own death in 2006.
The Ford School has collaborated with the Carter Center on several occasions in recent years; that partnership has been orchestrated in large part by our own Weiser Diplomacy Center director, Ambassador Susan Page, who serves on the Carter Center’s Board of Trustees. Page attended Carter’s state funeral a week ago and shared these fascinating reflections on Carter’s legacy, peacemaking in Sudan and South Sudan, and international service.
As we embark on a new year, your continued support and engagement are vital to our mission at the Ford School. I look forward to connecting with you in the months ahead.
Warm regards,
Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy
University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor
Professor of Sociology
