Events in Washington, D.C. in Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Institute
In 2005, former Congressman Dick Gephardt approached Chancellor Wrighton about creating an institute that would shape the next generation of civic leaders. What began as a small enterprise has grown to impact countless students, faculty, and community members.
“When I retired from Congress, I wanted to figure out how to pass on the gift of public service to others,” noted Congressman Gephardt. “The institute has brought that vision to life and has exceeded my wildest expectations.”
The past year marked the 10th anniversary of the Gephardt Institute, bookended by two major events: the Achievement in Community Engagement Awards in September, 2015, and the 10th anniversary celebration of the institute and alumni receptions in Washington, D.C. in April, 2016
The events in D.C. celebrated the achievements of the Institute over the last decade. One such celebration gathered almost 200 at The Washington Center for Internships and Seminars highlighting Congressman Gephardt’s vision and passion for public service. Attendees included members of Congress, members of the Obama Administration, Chancellor Mark Wrighton, Provost Holden Thorp, Washington University trustees, the institute’s National Council members, and countless friends of the institute.
Gephardt Institute Civic Scholar alumnus Andreas Mitchell, AB’13, addressed the celebration attendees by sharing the impact the Gephardt Institute has had on his life as a student at Harvard Medical School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government. “As a physician, it’s not just an option but a responsibility to address poverty and other social issues that affect my patients and my community. And I credit the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Scholars Program for tapping into that sense of agency.”
On April 14, alumni and friends of the institute joined together to celebrate the Institute’s 10th Anniversary. Provost Thorp initiated the celebration by thanking Executive Director Amanda Moore McBride for her 10 years of service to the institute. Professor McBride is departing the University to serve as the Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. Congressman Gephardt and SiriusXM host Joe Madison, AB’71 addressed an audience of WashU alumni from the D.C. region.
The event also featured remarks by Tiffani Hyatt, AB’14, Gephardt Institute Civic Scholar alumna and a kindergarten teacher at KIPP Schools in D.C. Tiffani departs D.C. this fall to pursue a master’s degree in Education from Harvard University. Tiffani shared the profound impact the institute had on her formation as a civic leader: “Through rigorous conversations with my peers and program director Jenni Harpring, I investigated what it looks like to thoughtfully work alongside folks toward a common goal in a way that supplements rather than distracts. Now, as a kindergarten teacher, I am able to put these abstract concepts into practice when working with parents, students, and community members.”
The institute celebrated 10 years of remarkable growth and achievements alongside our campus and community partners, and looks forward to carrying on Congressman Gephardt’s legacy of integrity and service in the decades to come.