The Institute of World Politics hosted its 2017 Commencement Exercises at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 20.
Staff Sergeant Andre McRae of the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” began the ceremony with the National Anthem. Professor John Tsagronis served as Master of Ceremonies.
Captain Christopher D. Glass, Sr., USN-Retired offered an invocation, and IWP president John Lenczowski gave remarks.
The keynote address was delivered by Hadley Arkes, the Edward N. Ney Professor of Jurisprudence and American Institutions Emeritus at Amherst College and Founder and Director of the James Wilson Institute on Natural Rights & the American Founding. Dr. Arkes commented on the importance of distinguishing right and wrong, the necessity of using logic and history as guides when making decisions, and the role of the family and political order.
IWP presented Dr. Arkes with a Doctorate of Laws, Honoris Causa.
John Patterson was recognized as the Salutatorian, and Andrew Harris was recognized as the Valedictorian. In his valedictory remarks, Andrew said:
“The education we received here imbues us with an appreciation of those ethical and philosophical groundings, our values, and our history which have made American society work and prosper. Now our task is to join the bulwark against political entropy, “to help defend decent civilization wherever it may be found.”
The Class of 2017 includes 32 Master of Arts recipients and two recipients of Certificates of Graduate Studies. Members of the Class of 2017 are going on to work in various fields, including multiple graduates who are serving in the intelligence community and as government contractors. The Class of 2017 also includes a researcher at a think tank, an Officer with and a consultant for the U.S. Army, two government affairs professionals, and a Nobel Peace Prize nominee.