FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Esten Perez
October 4, 2006
(617) 496-4009

Cambridge, MA – Harvard University’s Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, today announced Michael Gerson, former speechwriter and adviser to President George W. Bush and Christine Todd Whitman, former Governor of New Jersey and Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will serve as IOP Visiting Fellows in October and December respectively.  Gerson’s fellowship will take place during the week of October 16; Whitman’s will occur during the week of December 4. 

Visiting Fellows maximize their time at the Institute of Politics by interacting with students, faculty and Harvard research center staff.  Visiting Fellows traditionally meet with student groups; lead discussion groups on topical issues and share their experiences in public and political service; and participate in public policy classes with students and Kennedy School faculty.  

“We are excited to host Governor Whitman and Michael Gerson here at Harvard,” said Jeanne Shaheen, Director of the Institute of Politics.  “Their extensive experience in government, legislative policy and political communication is sure to create great interest among students and the entire Harvard community.”

Whitman served as New Jersey’s first woman Governor from 1994 to 2001, and as the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from January 2001 to June 2003.  Whitman currently serves as president of The Whitman Strategy Group, a strategic planning firm, and as Chair of the political action committee, "It’s My Party Too." Until this summer, Gerson had served as a speechwriter and advisor to President George W. Bush since January 2001.  Gerson currently serves as a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, where his work examines the democracy agenda, development, global health issues, and religion and foreign policy.  Gerson is currently working on a manuscript on the future of conservatism.

Previously announced IOP fall Resident Fellows, who have begun leading weekly, not-for-credit study groups on a variety of political topics (listed in italics in parenthesis below) include Kishwer Falkner (Baroness Falkner of Margravine), Peer, House of Lords, Parliament – United Kingdom (U.S. and British Foreign Policy after Iraq); James Flug, former Chief Counsel to U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) (The Senate as a check on the President); Karen Hicks, former Field Director, Democratic National Committee (Modern Campaign Organizing); Alan Khazei, Co-founder, City Year (National Service and Social Entrepreneurship); Christina Martin, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Securities Industry Association; former Press Secretary to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) (Capitol Hill 101); George Moose, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and career member of the U.S. Foreign Service (Africa in the Multilateral System). 

The Fellows Program is central to the Institute’s dual commitment to encourage student interest in public life and to increase interaction between the academic and political communities. 

###

Harvard University’s Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, was established in 1966 as a memorial to President Kennedy. The IOP’s mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists, and policymakers on a non-partisan basis and to stimulate and nurture their interest in public service and leadership. The Institute strives to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the academic world and the world of politics and public affairs. More information is available online at www.iop.harvard.edu.