Wendi Adelson (FL ‘00) has two boys who are now 2.5 (Benjamin) and 16 months (Lincoln Jonah). In August 2011 she started a new job as a clinical professor at Florida State University College of Law where she directs a Medical Legal Partnerhship. Also, she has published a book, This is Our Story, that chronicles the lives of my former clients who are victims of human trafficking. Please send her an email if you're interested in a copy: wendiadelson@gmail.com.

Kristina Fisher (NM '00) was selected as the 2011 Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year by the New Mexico Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Central New Mexico. The award recognizes young leaders who make a deep impact in the community and in their organization through their nonprofit work.

Johann "Jo" Guzman (FL ‘02), after studying International Security Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, spent the following five years serving on three fast-attack nuclear submarines. During this time he qualified as a Naval Nuclear Engineer and deployed on 6 National Security missions spanning the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic, Gulf of Guinea, and deep Western Pacific. With an eye towards a more direct impact on defeating violent extremist ideologies, he then served in the U.S. Embassy in Guyana, South America, where he worked to prevent future generations from falling prey to radicalism while countering illicit trafficking. During that time he transitioned into the Information Dominance Warfare community and currently serves in the Horn of Africa as an Operational Intelligence Officer. He adds, “I am so grateful to be a part of this incredible network of talent all over the world...I remain humbled by all of the wonderful things Truman Scholars do around the world, as it will take a whole-of-government approach to win the long war and keep our loved ones safe.”

Lesley Lavery (MT '04) and her husband, Shaun, welcomed a daughter, Maya in June of 2010. She successfully defended her doctoral dissertation at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in December 2011 and will begin a tenure-track position in Political Science at Macalester College this fall.

Monisha Merchant (CO '98) joined the staff of U.S. Senator Michael F. Bennet (D-CO).

Zara Snapp (CO '05) moved back to Mexico for love and she reports that all is going well. She began working as the international liason for Students for Sensible Drug Policy where she organizes students in nine countries around drug policy reform, at the local, national and international levels, including the United Nations. Making decisions from the heart has had positive results as she both loves her life and her work!

Shawn Vogt Sween (MN '99) and her family are celebrating the grand opening Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery in Spring Valley, Minnesota. Shawn is the eldest daughter and works nights and weekends at the winery, a fun change of pace from her legal career.  Check it out here: www.fourdaughtersvineyard.com.  She adds, “Stop by if you're in the area or if you have a small airplane, let them know and land at their runway (Caldbeck Field - 7MN3).”

Congratulations to Fred Slabach who, on January 27, 2012, was inaugurated as the 20th President of Texas Wesleyan University, a position he has held since one year ago. He brings decades of legal and political experience to this role, and has already articulated a strong vision for the future of the institution. According to the official university announcement, “Since his appointment in January of 2011, President Slabach has drafted a new strategic plan for the University that builds on our strong foundation of values and ethics and ensures that our academic programs lead to exceptional professional and career preparation.”

Though Slabach has left his role as Executive Secretary of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, he was in good company during the inauguration. Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, who serves as President of the Truman Foundation, delivered the keynote address. She praised Slabach’s emphasis on preparing students to think critically about the world around them.

Slabach will continue his relationship with the Foundation as Treasurer.

Here are links to the Official Announcement and Video and coverage in the Star-Telegram.

The Board of Directors for the Truman Scholars Association held its annual in-person meeting in November 2011 in Washington DC.  The in-person meeting is an invaluable tool for the geographically diverse board, as it allows directors to meet face-to-face and spend a weekend dedicated solely to TSA issues.  The primary goal of this meeting was to facilitate work on the Board’s target projects, including continuing to integrate lost scholars into the Truman community; broadening and deepening community engagement through the TSA newsletter, social media, and other resources; building on past programming success to meet the Truman Scholar community’s ever-changing needs; and bolstering board governance to incorporate best practices and strengthen the board’s performance.  To work toward these ends, the Board split into three committees, each with a specific purview:  the Programming Committee, the Outreach and Technology Committee, and the Finance and Development Committee.

Each committee has been working diligently since the in-person meeting.  The Programming Committee has introduced two new volunteer programs, Regional Captains and Class Co-Chairs, to the TSA community; is organizing a National Day of Service for Spring 2012; is laying the groundwork for a series of class reunions; is in the early stages of planning for the 2013 national conference; and in March will be hosting the pre-interview dinners for all of the Truman finalists.  The Outreach and Technology Committee has been working on upgrading the TSA website, obtaining contact information for the many “lost” scholars, and is coordinating with the Truman Foundation to upgrade the current contact database.  Each of these projects will improve TSA’s networking and communication capabilities.  Finally, the Finance and Development Committee has been working on implementing an organizational analysis in anticipation of a more formal organizational audit next year, is developing and implementing a more regular fundraising system, and of course is preparing financial statements and tax returns.  Together, the three committees are working to create a TSA that acts as a social and professional resource to scholars, as well as an advocate for public service.

The Board of Directors is currently comprised of Jonathan Evans (PA ’03) and Michele Buckley (CO ’06), Co-Presidents; Preston Lee (DC ’81), Treasurer; Dara Purvis (CA ’02), Secretary; Pat Gilbert (AZ ’91), Chair of Finance and Development; Kyle Gracey (PA ’05), Chair of Outreach and Technology; Katie Liberman (MA ’06), Chair of Programming; Russ Dallen (MS ’83); Robert Eisinger (NY ’85); Elizabeth Hill (FL ’96); Jessica Sotelo (ID ’00); and Adair Ford Boroughs (SC ’01), Immediate Past President.  You can find more information on TSA and its Board at www.trumanscholars.org, or contact them at tsa@trumanscholars.org.

The Truman Scholars Association is excited to announce two new volunteer positions within the TSA community: Class Co-Chair and Regional Captain. Both positions are aimed at helping the TSA Board with planning, growth, communications, and development. All members of the TSA community are eligible so please consider volunteering!   

To submit your name for either position, please send your name, year, and selection state to tsaprogrammingcommittee@gmail.com by midnight on Monday, February 6. Please include a short statement (200 words max) to explain why you would be best for the role with ideas for what you would do when serving.  If you are nominating yourself for a regional captain position please include which region you live in, how long you have lived there, and how long you plan to remain in the area (we do not require that you plan to remain there permanently to fill this position).  

Class Co-Chair (two chairs will be chosen from each Truman Class): The role of the Class Chair is to cultivate communication, interest, and support for the TSA. They will serve as the representative from their class to the TSA board.  Responsibilities will primarily be focused on keeping classmates’ contact information current, but may occasionally include assisting with TSA fundraising campaigns to increase giving amongst the class, and promoting TSA events for the class. This is a lifetime appointment, however, should extenuating circumstances arise and you can no longer fulfill your obligation, the TSA may nominate a successor. 

Regional Captains (one captain will be chosen from each region): The role of the Regional Captain is to build excitement, plan events, and assist the TSA in reaching all scholars living within the borders of the region.  They will serve as a regional representative to the TSA Programming Committee.  Responsibilities will include: assisting the Programming Committee in planning regional events, participating in the finalist dinners in your region (when applicable), and promoting TSA events for residents in the region.  Regional events may also be planned outside the direct implementation of the Programming Committee.  Regional events could include two annual service events, dinners, or happy hours. Regional Captains have the opportunity to also form their own committee of volunteers in the region.  This appointment will last until you no longer live in the region, or can no longer fulfill your obligation.  Regional Captains will determine their successors with the input of the TSA board.  The current regions are based on those for which google groups exist at this moment in time -  these are not set in stone and could change based on the locations of members of our community.): Boston; Chicago; Los Angeles; Midwest (e.g., IL, MO, IA, IN, KS); Minnesota (e.g., Twin Cities); New Haven, CT (including the Northeast); New York City; Oxford, England; Pennsylvania; San Francisco/Bay Area; Seattle (including OR); Southeast (e.g., TN, KY, MS, LA, AL, GA, NC, SC, FL); Southwest (e.g., NV, UT, CO, AZ, NM, TX); Washington DC (including MD and VA); and Wisconsin.

When was the last time you updated your Truman.gov profile?  Was it at TSLW?  Did you not even know you had a Truman.gov profile?  Well you do and you should keep it current!  The Truman Scholars Association and the Truman Foundation are working together to update contact information for all scholars.  Those with out-of-date or missing data will be contacted in order to obtain current information.  Please save yourself and us time by logging in to www.truman.gov and updating your profile.  

Thank you!

Congratulations to Melissa Boteach (MD ‘04) and Anthony Vitarelli (NJ ‘04) for being named to Forbes 30 under 30 for Law and Policy. As the magazine writes, “These are the people who aren't waiting to reinvent the world.” Keep up the good work!

Check out the story here.

The following is an excerpt from a December 2011 article in The Washington Post.

Carolyn Lerner had the Air Force’s top four-star general boxed in.

Gen. Norton Schwartz was reeling from revelations that the Dover Air Force Base mortuary had lost and sawed off body parts and mishandled other remains of America’s war dead. In the glare of television cameras, the Air Force chief of staff was forced to issue mea culpas for the scandal in November.

Lerner, the newly installed federal lawyer whose tiny office uncovered the gruesome findings, was ready for a fight.

Lerner accused the Air Force of deflecting blame — and a mortuary official of lying and obstructing the probe by firing one of the workers who blew the whistle. When Schwartz declared that Lerner’s Office of Special Counsel had prevented the military from notifying the families of the dead service members for more than a year, she dressed him down to the news media.

Jina Moore, a freelance writer and regular contributor to the Christian Science Monitor, recently won the 2011 Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial Prize gold medal for best reporting on the United Nations. The award recognizes her coverage of a new UN approach to ending war and promoting peace: peacebuilders, an idea distinct from both peacemaking and peacekeeping. Below, we excerpt the article.

Michael von der Schulenburg drove deliberately into the riot. Angry men filled a main road here in Freetown; they quickly surrounded his car. They were members of the APC, the All People's Congress, and their leader, Ernest Koroma, was Sierra Leone's president. They were in a dispute with their opposition over a local election that had taken place a day's drive deep into the countryside.

That rural dispute turned national and urban, and threatened to turn violent in Freetown. Thousands of APC men thronged toward the headquarters of the opposition party. They were drunk, and they were being used. Men here are cheap – a beer buys a vote – but they are not usually violent.

Mr. Schulenburg, the United Nation's top man in Sierra Leone, hadn't been in the country for long, but he did know this: So many men don't gather by accident, nor do they spontaneously decide to fight over such a paltry political event as a rural vote. Schulenburg didn't know who had reported the crowd, or why. He's friendly with Sierra Leone's "Big Men" – he chats daily with Mr. Koroma by phone. But that day, no one would take his calls.

As he approached the action, he wondered: Was this the kind of raucous discontent typical of Sierra Leonean politics, or was the street rumor right? Could it be the moment that the war comes back?

Read the full article here.

"Mayor-elect Daryl Justin Finizio is about to announce the head of his transition team.

"Finizio, who won the mayoral election Tuesday, has called a press conference for 3 p.m. at his home on Ocean Avenue to elaborate on transition procedures and timelines.

"He is also expected to announced he is closing out his "Finizio for Mayor'' campaign account, and thank William "Billie" Bourque for his services as campaign chairman and treasurer.

"Bourque will not be part of the new transition team, Finizio said, in keeping with his promise that those who worked on his election or contributed to his campaign would have no role in the new administration."

Click here to read the whole article.

"Greg Stanton launched his candidacy for Phoenix mayor in December, surrounded by supporters in a restored, historic warehouse downtown. Thousands of handshakes, 50 debates and 11 months later, Stanton's journey ended Tuesday at the same place he started - this time celebrating victory.

"Stanton will become the 52nd mayor of Phoenix. Unofficial election results showed that he had a comfortable lead over rival Wes Gullett, who conceded the race to Stanton about a half hour after the first results were posted.

"Stanton, a 41-year-old attorney and father of two, will be Phoenix's first new mayor in eight years, replacing Phil Gordon, who is term-limited."

Click here to read the rest of the article.

By Westbrook Murphy, General Counsel, Truman Scholarship Foundation

Today's Washington Post carried two stories about Carolyn Lerner (MI '84) the new United States Special Counsel appointed by President Obama.

The first details how in just four months she is restoring the damaged reputation of the Office of Special Counsel in its role of protecting federal employees who become whistleblowers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-diary-whistleblowers-g...fender/2011/10/18/gIQAtnvfvL_story.html

The second interviews Carolyn about changing how Hatch Act's prohibition on partisan political activity applies to employees of state or local governments which receive federal funds.  Here's an example from the interview:

"We've [the Office of Special Counsel] talked about a guy who's in a K9 unit in Pennsylvania, and because his dog is funded for federal money, couldn't run for school board. We had to be in the position of telling this gentleman who wanted to run for school that he couldn't because his dog was funded from federal funds. That's ridiculous, that's absurd."

Carolyn also speaks to other issues, including updating the Hatch Act to deal with use of social media that did not exist when the Act was passed in 1939.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/post/is-it-time-to-up...e-hatch-act/2011/10/18/gIQAcRJNvL_blog.html

Albert Cho, Tempe, AZ. Albert Cho most recently served as an executive at Cisco Systems, where he directed environmental innovation projects and led development of a new approach for monitoring global deforestation. Prior to Cisco Systems, Albert was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, where he helped found the Sustainability and Resources Practice and advised clients in the aerospace, industrial, high tech and financial sectors on strategy and risk management. He has also worked at the United Nations with Jeffrey Sachs on a global plan for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Albert volunteers as a strategic advisor to the Nobel Prize-winning Green Belt Movement in Kenya and as a consultant to the World Resources Institute. He serves on the board of the Telluride Association, an educational non-profit, and is a trained crisis hotline counselor and hospice volunteer. Albert has lived, worked or traveled in over 70 countries, including a year supporting financial sector reform in north Africa. He is a Rhodes and a Truman Scholar, a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and was a Visiting Business Fellow at Oxford. He received an M.Sc in development economics and an M.B.A. with distinction from Oxford, and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard College.  Placement: U.S. Department of State

Official Announcement: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/fellows/2011-2012

Hi Scholars,