MSFS Alumnus Chuka Asike (MSFS ’06) and MSFS Director Anthony Arend enjoy the wine and cheese event.
By Haysel Hernandez-Holzshu (MSFS ’13)
Current Master of Science in Foreign Service mingled with esteemed alumni at a wine and cheese event on March 29. Organized by Thomas Halusa (MSFS ’13) and Colby Kirk (MSFS ’13) of the Student Alumni Committee, the night was a way of showing appreciation for alumni who have helped the program throughout the years. In addition, current students had the opportunity to foster connections with alumni.
The newly created Student Alumni Committee (SAC) is a student run organization that is focused on MSFS alumni outreach. “The idea behind the SAC is to create a better network knowing that we will be alumni and would like to have our own relationships with students,” explained Kirk. This initial event provided an intimate way for students to gain invaluable advice from their predecessors. Current students were chosen via lottery to attend.
Eleanor Monte Jones, Associate Director at MSFS, helped the SAC organize the event. “Students were trying to figure out ways to continue the momentum between themselves and alumni. The SAC is proving to be a great platform that will survive after students leave and become alumni,” explained Monte Jones.
For alumni, the initiative gave them an opportunity to engage current students and get up to date with the changes in the program over the years. “Activities like this are fantastic. I think it’s a great idea to engage with the alumni and tap into the extensive network that exists out there,” said Clyde Owan (MSFS ’81).
Director of MSFS Anthony Arend thanked the participants and indicated that this was just the beginning of what the SAC was going to do. “This whole initiative was thought up by students for former students” he asserted.
Also in attendance were Andrew Weber (MSFS ’86), Santiago Sedaca (MSFS ’97), Sarah King (MSFS ’10), Craig Allen (MSFS ’85), Chuka Asike (MSFS ’06), and Elizabeth Cohan (MSFS ’09).