Congratulations to the Class of 2011!
The annual commencement exercises of The Institute of World Politics – always an occasion charged with elation and pride – saw a new tradition begin, a record achieved, and many old friendships strengthened.
In 2011, IWP implemented the ancient tradition of the senior professor bearing a mace at Commencement. The mace, an historic symbol of sovereignty, represents IWP’s authority to confer degrees. IWP’s mace was presented to the school in memory of Charles A. and Phyllis Smith, American patriots and supporters of the Institute. Dr. John J. Tierney, Jr., Faculty Chairman, had the honor of bearing the mace in the ceremony’s procession and recession.
The keynote address was delivered by the Honorable R. James Woolsey, the former Director of Central Intelligence and a longtime friend of IWP. His remarks about the nature of current challenges to U.S. national security and international stability – and the role that IWP graduates play in countering them – were delivered to more than four hundred family members and friends who attended the ceremony. The Institute conferred a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, upon Mr. Woolsey in recognition of his many years of outstanding service to the United States.
Two other distinguished guests received similar recognition from IWP: Dr. Stephen A. Fausel, Director of the Fausel Foundation, and Major General Michael T. Flynn, USA, who currently serves as the Chief, CJ2, International Security Assistance Force.
IWP’s Class of 2011 consists of eleven strategic intelligence studies graduates, twenty-two who earned IWP’s M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs, and five who now hold the M.A. in Statecraft and International Affairs. Six recipients of Certificates of Graduate Study were also recognized at the ceremony. As is traditional at IWP, the school’s founder and president, Dr. John Lenczowski, gave tribute to the personal accomplishments of each graduate. This is the largest class in IWP’s history.
John-Paul Royal was recognized as the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011, and John M. Poreba as the Salutatorian. Please click here for Mr. Royal’s remarks.
IWP also bid adieu to its 2011-2012 Army Senior Service Fellow, COL Reginald Bostick, conferring upon him the United States Senior Service College Fellowship Certificate.
Download the Commencement Program.
To view Rev. James Stambaugh’s invocation for Commencement, please click here.
To view Chelsea Markle’s reflections upon graduation, please click here.