From Dr. Payne
Reflections on CPLA DC 2009!
As we end our respite to the nation’s Capitol, I think of the wonderful people we have met these past few days. This trip really has driven home the importance of “relationships” and the fact that Emerson is a place where they are formed and where they endure. Some trips in the past have had more activities, but this is one where the focus, rather planned or not, was about connecting and reconnecting. After arriving on Thursday afternoon, we journeyed downtown to the thicket of lobbying and heard first hand accounts from Kevin Cuddy of O’Melveny and Myers LLP. Kevin, an international trade consultant, spoke in detail about the impending trade war with China over steel, and spoke of the pros and cons of the “Buy American” campaign in the global economy. It was a very engaging exchange as Emersonians peppered Kevin with cogent questions about strategies, ethics and the impact of lobbying on public policy
Friday’s breakfast with Phil Maggi, Poly Comm Alum, attorney and former legal aide for Sen. Olympia Snow, was one where our visiting cplaers were told the importance of clear and precise writing, and that leadership is all about the ability to communicate orally and in your written expression. Phil emphasized a theme that we heard repeatedly: new technologies help in the transmission of a message, but the essence of effective communication is all about what Aristotle wrote about in the Rhetoric – ethos, pathos and logos, and practicing and refining the art of persuasion. It is about the ethics of the source of the message rather than the means by which we send it to our targeted publics.
After a very insightful visit to the Capitol and to the DNC (we asked to visit the RNC but they were booked. We will be there next time. we were off to the Saudi Arabian Embassy, complete with frank and candid talk about the status of women in the Kingdom, the Israeli – Palestinian conflict, the future of oil and U.S. – Saudi – Israeli relations. We even had some of our Emersonians try on the Saudi traditional dress. If you see Chris Thompson in a thobe, well the fashion began with this trip. Also, Alex, the traditional Bedouin dress probably would be a different look back home in Texas!
After our Embassy visit in Foggy Bottom, we once again were greeted with familiar faces, and wonderful morsels of much needed food and drink (soft drinks and juices) at Howard Lieberman’s law firm. Howard, a long time friend and supporter of Emerson, co-hosted the group with Peter Loge, who was in my first debate class at Emerson in l984! Both Peter and Howard spoke of the pros and cons of going to law schools, with each offering a differing perspective. Once again, a common ground for the discussion was Peter’s penchant to quote from Aristotle and the classical rhetoricians. He is truly a gem in proving that one’s classroom experience resonates throughout life. Many thanks to both Howard and Peter for agreeing to host us on what proved to be a very Good Friday!
After the enlightening dialogue with Peter and Howard, we then met up with two former Emerson SGA Presidents and CPLA majors – Emily Garr who is now working at the Brookings Institute and Andrew Wishnia, who recently moved to DC after earning his JD from the University of Minnesota. Both loved the vitality of the CPLA group!
From my perspective as the advisor for over 20 years, the enduring quality of this group is that if you are in CPLA at Emerson, you are a life member. Emily passed on her insights at the Brookings Institute and was thrilled that we were involved with a public affairs campaign for Rosarito, Baja Mexico, given the sensational news coverage of President Calderon’s War on Drugs. (See www.rediscoverosarity.org) Emily worked in Mexico for a year prior to re-locating to D.C. Her leadership skills and eagerness to change the world are still evident. Andrew inquired about the College on the Common and pledged to stay in touch as he checks out the job market in D.C. Andrew was always interested in community during his days at Emerson. He is a perfect for the new administration. He is a real grass roots advocate, who continues his quest to make a difference.
You can check out the blogs and posts of the students about their Friday night activities. The students explored the Mall and Jeffersonian Memorial in the wee hours of the morning, and enjoyed the majesty of the monuments in the crisp April evening devoid of the usual legions of tourists. I believe some of the pictures posted on the site. Capture these experiences. They included the night trips to the Lincoln Memorial, past the White House, Congress, and truly capture this magical experience.
On Saturday, we were guests of Janice Scangas, MA alum in Political Communication, for a delicious brunch at the Sette Osteria restaurant near Dupont Circle. Janice, whose passion is social justice, and who founded the Corfu Foundation, told me later how impressed she was with the students and their energy and plans. Several of the seniors summarized their capstone projects and she provided feedback, as she would for any project that her foundation was considering for support. Janice has been a very strong supporter of public diplomacy and social justice. When the students left for a tour of the Museums, we continued our dialogue for a couple of hours. We also were joined at the luncheon by Rael Ammon, a former graduate who is devoted to public diplomacy and is a Foreign Affairs Advisor at the State Department.
Later on Saturday, as the students prepared to return to Boston on the early morning flight on Sunday, many groups chose different eateries for their last night in D.C. I joined John, Alex, Kellly and Rael, our alum, for some delicious (although not nutritious) food at Timberlakes. Rael spoke of her work at the State Department and I then put her in touch with Russell Cornelia for some dialogue about his public diplomacy project involving the military. Again, it was about making the connections and seeing how the Emerson family, especially in Political Communication, grows and endures.
This trip we missed John Hanlon and Iris Burnett, as well as Andy Kline, Alyxce Nelson, Holly Massett, Lauren Johnson, among others. Thanks to John Hanlon, we did arrange for the meeting with Emily and Andrew. We will catch them next time when we are not visiting on a holiday weekend. One last point – the cherry blossoms were abloom and that made CPLA DC – 2009 all the more memorable.
Forever CPLA!
Gregory Payne