An Evening to Remember
O
n Saturday, October 11th 2008, the Great Hall of the Jefferson Building in the Library of Congress was the setting for an event that marked the climax of what had involved more than a year’s worth of programming—the 75th anniversary of the founding of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
More than 650 members of the extended Fletcher Community walked the exhibits halls (“Exploring the Americas” and “Thomas Jefferson’s Library”), enjoyed fine cheeses and fruits and danced to the rhythms of a 12-piece band.
An evening that began with smiles, conversation and a lavish five-course dinner, transitioned quickly to recognitions of achievement, great stories of past experiences and shared hope for the future.
Dr. Peter Ackerman, F’69, Chairman of Fletcher’s Board of Overseers and Honorary Gala Chair, welcomed guests and discussed the school’s many new challenges and opportunities. Ackerman emphasized the need in today’s world for Fletcher’s unique offering, and spoke to the importance of new initiatives such as the Global Master of Arts Program (GMAP), the Institute for Human Security and the school’s most recent additions: the Master of International Business and Master of Laws in International Law degrees, and the Center for Emerging Market Enterprises.
The podium was then turned over to Dean Stephen W. Bosworth, who bestowed the Dean’s Medal upon Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, F’73, for his “unique ability to create opportunities out of crises and to address the world’s most pressing issues.” Ambassador Ischinger’s extensive career of service to Germany and the international community includes positions in Washington, DC, Paris as well as several senior positions in the German Foreign Office where he went on to serve as Deputy Foreign Minister, the nation’s highest civil service post.
Additionally, Melissa Conley Tyler, F’96, teaching fellow at the University of Melbourne Law School, was named the recipient of the Fletcher Alumni Association of Washington, DC’s Young Alumni Award for 2008. This honor was bestowed upon Conley Tyler for her professional achievement in conflict resolution and for her role as an emerging leader in the global community.
As the evening continued into the twilight hours, guests mingled—continuing to strengthen the “Fletcher Connection”—and discussed the significance of the day. Though 75 years have past since the doors to The Fletcher School first opened, the need for its vision is even greater today.
“…never before has our interdependent world needed leaders prepared by Fletcher more than it does now.” – Dean Stephen W. Bosworth