On October 22-23, 2019, a group of IWP’s top supporters gathered in Washington, D.C. for a series of events and seminars with IWP faculty, alumni, and students. This Chancellor’s Council Meeting began with a reception on October 22 in which the front classroom in Marlatt Mansion was named in honor of Commodore John Barry, who is known as “The Father of the American Navy.”
A historic moment: Naming the Commodore John Barry Room
This naming ceremony took place in honor of John and Cynthia Lovewell, who have provided incredible support to IWP in talent and treasure over the last decade and a half. John Lovewell was recently elected Chairman of the Board of IWP. Cynthia Lovewell is a direct descendant of Commodore John Barry’s family.
Commodore John Barry was a courageous, patriotic, and humble man who won many battles at sea and worked closely with George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Commodore Barry was an American naval officer who won major victories against British forces in the Revolutionary War. His contributions include the first capture of a British war vessel on the high seas, fighting in the campaign around Trenton, New Jersey, and the capture of over 20 ships. After the Revolutionary War, Commodore Barry was appointed the U.S. Navy’s first commissioned officer.
At the ceremony, a sign reading “Commodore John Barry Room” was unveiled, as was a plaque describing Commodore Barry’s background and his relationship with Cynthia Lovewell. The full text of the plaque may be found below. Finally, a portrait of Commodore Barry, hung over the fireplace, was unveiled.
Mrs. Lovewell commented:
Commodore John Barry was a courageous, patriotic, and humble man who won many battles at sea and worked closely with George Washington during the Revolutionary War. He was beloved by those who served under him.
As an American and descendent of the Barry family, I am grateful that the Father of the American Navy can be remembered in this way.
It is right and appropriate that IWP, which encourages humility, courage, prudence, and moral fortitude, should honor this American hero. Thank you to Dr. Lenczowski and all who made this possible.
Faculty, students, and alumni discuss current national security and international affairs issues
The Chancellor’s Council Meeting continued on October 23rd with presentations by faculty, students, and alumni on a variety of topics relating to national security and international affairs. Dr. Frank Marlo, IWP Dean of Academic Affairs and former Assistant for Counterproliferation Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, served as Master of Ceremonies.
The first talk by Dr. Christopher C. Harmon covered the topic “What is Our Strategy in the Fight Against Terrorism?” Dr. Sara Vakhshouri then presented on “New Technologies, the Shale Revolution, and Emergent Dynamics of Energy Security.” Prof. John Tkacik discussed “U.S. and China Confront a Power Transition Moment.”
Doctoral candidate Amanda Won discussed “North Korea: Understanding and Exploiting the Most Reclusive Human Intelligence Target.” The last discussion was presented by an alumnus who is currently serving in the intelligence community on the topic of “Counterintelligence Redefined – The Evolution of U.S. CI in the Era of the Non-Traditional Collector.”
Prof. John Sano gives keynote address at Chancellor’s Council Dinner
The Chancellor’s Council meeting culminated in a dinner at the Willard InterContinental on the evening of October 23rd.
Jacqueline T. Wieland, Chancellor’s Council member and First Vice President/Investments with Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc., served as the Master of Ceremonies for the dinner. An Accredited Investment Fiduciary and graduate of VA Tech, Ms. Wieland has over 34 years’ experience in the financial industry. She has held numerous leadership positions on non-profit boards for the past 30 years.
Danielle Shover, Director of Graduate Recruitment at IWP, sang the National Anthem, and Chairman John Lovewell delivered the invocation. Dr. John Lenczowski then gave remarks.
After dinner, Eileen Atwood and the Thomas C. Atwood Scholarship for Academic Excellence were recognized. This scholarship was established in honor of Eileen’s late husband, Tom Atwood, who was the Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement at IWP. Erik Khzmalyan, the first recipient of this scholarship, presented its Letter of Establishment to Mrs. Atwood.
Don, a new student and recipient of The Louis DeJoy and Aldona Z. Woś Family Foundation Scholarship, gave remarks about his experience thus far at IWP.
IWP Professor John Sano gave the keynote address. Prof. Sano spent 28 years in the Central Intelligence Agency and was appointed the National Clandestine Service’s Deputy Director in November 2005. He came to this position after having previously served as Chief of the East Asia Division in the Directorate of Operations in 2005. At IWP, he teaches courses on covert action, North Korea, and human intelligence. His remarks covered “The Role of Intelligence in Formulating Foreign Policy.”
The next Chancellor’s Council Meeting will take place in October 2020, in conjunction with IWP’s 30th Anniversary Gala.
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Wording on the plaque in the newly-named Commodore John Barry Room
COMMODORE JOHN BARRY
John Barry (Born 1745, County Wexford, Ireland – Died 1803, Philadelphia) was an American naval officer who won major victories in the Revolutionary War. Because he trained many officers who later were celebrated in the nation’s history, he is often called the “Father of the American Navy.”
A merchant shipmaster out of Philadelphia at the age of 21, Barry outfitted the first Continental fleet at the outbreak of the revolution with his commission as Captain on the brig Lexington. Barry’s successive commands during the war were aboard the frigates Effingham, Raleigh, and Alliance.
Throughout the war, Barry commanded spectacular victories against British forces. Throughout the war, Barry commanded spectacular victories against British forces. His most outstanding contributions include the first capture of a British war vessel on the high seas, fighting with distinction in the campaign around Trenton, New Jersey, and the capture of over 20 ships.
One the final cruise of the Alliance, Barry fought the last naval battle of the war in March 1783, when he defeated three British frigates seeking to intercept him. After the war, Barry was recalled to active service as Senior Captain of the new U.S. Navy, and by the end of his career, he was Senior Officer of the Navy.
Cynthia Lovewell, wife of The Institute of World Politics’ Vice Chairman and benefactor, John Lovewell, is a direct descendant of Commodore Barry’s family. IWP has named this room in Commodore Barry’s honor in gratitude for John and Cynthia’s extraordinary generosity and long-standing support for the school.
February 2019*
*The plaque was created when the strategic decision was made to name the front classroom the Commodore John Barry Room.