RICHARD M. NIXON FELLOWSHIP LAUNCHES
AT WHITTIER COLLEGE
-Former U.S. Secretary of
State Henry Kissinger
Headlines College's Inaugural Fellowship Fundraiser-
On January 17, Whittier College welcomed former United States Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger to campus for the formal inauguration of a new student initiative,
the Richard M. Nixon Fellowship.
The
creation of the Nixon Fellowship has been an integral part of the College’s
yearlong academic exploration of President Nixon’s historic trip to China and t he
indelible changes that followed both in U.S. foreign relations with China and in
the geopolitical landscape as a whole. Dr. Kissinger’s critical role
bringing about these events and his personal relationship with Richard Nixon
made him an optimal speaker for the public launch of the Fellowship Program.
Created to honor Whittier College alumnus (Class of 1934) and former U. S. President
Richard Nixon, the
Nixon Fellowship Program is designed to prepare exceptional students for
informed citizenship and service through intern- ships, scholarship, and research
opportunities that echo Nixon’s successful legacy in domestic and foreign
policy. Students named Nixon Fellows will develop leadership skills, increase
international understanding, and experience the rewards inherent in a career dedicated
to the public good.
To
generate funds for this program, two fundraisers featuring Dr. Kissinger took
place. The first, “An Evening with Dr. Henry
Kissinger,” offered guests a chance to meet the legendary figure at a recep tion
onstage at the Ruth B. Shannon Center, and then to hear his experiences
and perspectives during a traditional
Fireside Chat, conducted by Tim Naftali, director for
the Richard
Nixon Presidential Library
and Museum in nearby Yorba Linda. The second fundraiser followed the first, but
was an intimate dinner held at Wardman House, the official residence of the
president
of Whittier
College.
Dr.
Kissinger’s appearance at the fundraiser,
combined with an anonymous large gift made prior to the event, generated more
than $140K-- enough to endow the program and begin implementation as early as
summer
2007. It is expected that at least 15 students will be named Nixon Fellows over
the course of the
next three academic years. Individual award amounts will range between $2,000
and $4,500, depending on the project scope and timeframe,
and may be attached to other independent academic opportunities, such as study
abroad. A distinguished board of advisors will review student applications for
the program, and recommend
candidates according to the nature and focus of the proposed project, and based
on established academic criteria.
While
on campus, Dr. Kissinger also took the opportunity to speak with
about 100 students-- campus
leaders, student media, and members of a political science and an economics class--candidly
answering questions not only about his time in office serving under Presidents
Nixon and Ford, but also about his views on current U.S. foreign policy and
American involvement in the Middle East.
If
you would like to contribute to the Nixon Fellowship Program, or if you would
like to learn more about opportunities connected with this program, please
contact Kevin Doody, executive director of development, at (562) 907-4209. |
