by Bridgette Gilliland, MSFS’16
On December 5, 2014 the Walsh School of Foreign Service bid farewell to Global Politics and Security Chair Ambassador Mark Lagon. Professor Lagon, known as an energetic and dynamic leader, will now begin his tenure as President of the prestigious Freedom House.
Many students were deeply moved by Lagon’s departure. Andrew Steele, a second year MSFS student commented: “Every professor has expertise but what made Professor Lagon different was his willingness to share his experience and use it to help students succeed. His zeal was unparalleled!” Another second year student, Rachel Firestone, was touched by Lagon’s commitment to ethical practice saying: “Lagon was particularly wonderful to work with because he constantly drove to put theory into action and hold everyone to the highest ethical standards. He was a visionary, always trying to make the world a better place.”
Jeff Gedmin, former President of the Legatum Institute, is serving as the interim Global Politics and Security Chair for the Spring 2015 semester. A search for the new Concentration Chair, who will join the MSFS leadership team in Fall 2015, is currently underway. GPS students will have the opportunity to hear from each candidate and offer feedback to the selection committee. MSFS looks forward to an exciting spring semester as the search for our new GPS chair continues.