Former Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan Back in D.C. With Harvard University

Dear Friend —

I write following our annual summer Celebration of Public Service in Washington, D.C. It was a pleasure to spend time reconnecting with old friends, alumni and students, former and incoming Fellows, and members of our Senior Advisory Committee. Thank you to those of you who were able to join us.

We were honored to hear from President Lawrence Bacow, Honorary Chair of the IOP Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, and our student leaders about the importance of public service and the value of their summer internships. In his remarks, President Bacow eloquently spoke to the importance of the IOP’s mission:

“The Institute of Politics underscores the reason that Harvard exists. I think this is a responsibility which we all bear, and that the world has never needed committed, active, engaged citizens more than now….this is a time in which good people need to roll up their sleeves and get involved.”

Each of you exemplify our mission and we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, alums and Fellows. I continue to be inspired by our IOP community.
We captured some great moments from the evening. Browse the full album and read the Harvard Gazette’s coverage of our celebration.

As we wind down the summer, we are looking forward to a great 2019-2020 academic year and can’t wait to share it all with you

Mark

Mark D. Gearan ’78
Director, Institute of Politics