For These Are Jolly Good Fellows

Harvard University’s Institute of Politics has announced the selection of six individuals who will serve as Resident Fellows during the 2011 spring semester.  The group is made up of two former United States Representatives, three former political advisors from United States governmental offices, and a former speechwriter from the Bush administration.  According to Eric Andersen, the Fellows Program Director at Harvard’s Institute of Politics,
“This ideologically diverse group of political professionals possess a deep knowledge of international diplomacy, foreign affairs, speechwriting and legislating on Capitol Hill…We are looking forward to hosting such prominent practitioners on campus to inspire the next generation of leaders in politics and public service.”
Judging from the wealth of experiential diversity within this spring’s newly-appointed fellows, each individual’s unique personal history and ideology will undoubtedly affect their contributions as fellows.
Caroline Croft – Prior to joining the United Sates Department of State in 1992, Croft served as Director of International Programs for the Congressional Human Rights Foundation and as an advisor to Edward M. Kennedy in the United States Senate, among other positions.  At the State Department, Croft has served in a variety of capacities, including Executive Director of the United States United Nations office in Washington, Director of Cultural Programs Abroad, and as a senior advisor.
Bob Inglis – Inglis served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for South Carolina’s fourth district during two separate terms, from 1993-1999 and from 2005-2011.  During his time in Congress, Inglis held positions on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and on the Committee on Science and Technology.  As a Republican, he broke strongly with his party on climate change.
John McConnell – A graduate of Yale Law School, McConnell began working with former President George W. Bush on the campaign trail in 2000, and he continued to serve as a speechwriter for President Bush, and as the chief speechwriter for Vice President Cheney, during the entirety of the Bush Administration, from 2001-2009.
Ellen Qualls – Yet another veteran of Capitol Hill, Qualls served as Nancy Pelosi’s senior advisor on strategic planning during Pelosi’s tenure as Speaker for the United States House of Representatives.  Prior to her time with Pelosi, Qualls served as a senior advisor to Mark Warner, the 69^th Governor of Virginia.
Emma Sky – A self-proclaimed “tree-hugger,” Sky represents one of the more intriguing fellowship recipients.  An outspoken opponent of the War in Iraq, Sky eventually became a senior political advisor to United States Generals Raymond Odierno and David Petraeus from 2007-2010.
Bart Stupak – Stupak joins Inglis as another former Congressman to receive a fellowship at the IOP.  After representing Michigan’s first district in the House of Representatives since 1993 and serving as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Stupak, a Democrat, decided not to seek reelection last fall.
In addition to leading weekly study groups on a variety of topics, these newly-appointed Resident Fellows will interact with Harvard University students and participate in the intellectual life of the Harvard community.
photo credit: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3065/2943650075_00111778e6.jpg