“When Janet Reno testified before the 9/11 commissions, she said that when she became Attorney General she didn’t fully understand the world of foreign intelligence,” Divoll said. “My goal is to make sure students have exposure to it and understand how it works.”
Divoll—who staffed vice-presidential candidate Sen. John R. Edwards, D-N.C., on the Senate Select Committee and said she is “looking forward to the Kerry administration”—said that this year’s presidential election should heighten interest in her study group.
“I think it will make it a lot more exciting,” Divoll said. “My teaching of the issues will be influenced by the position that the candidates take on them throughout the election.”
Glickman echoed Divoll’s statement, saying that the presence of the fellows at Harvard will be extremely valuable during the election.
“Being here during an election year, most of them will be a terrific asset to Harvard,” Glickman said.
Fellows either apply for the position or are recommended to the IOP and then are ultimately selected after undergoing an interview process with the student fellows selection committee and Fellows and Study Groups Programs Coordinator Eric R. Andersen. All selections are given final approval by the director of the IOP.
Fellows Election Coordinator Kevin P. Kiley ’07 described the selection process as highly student-driven.
“We interviewed each of the candidates and evaluated them with the foremost concern being their willingness and capacity to have meaningful interactions with students and to inspire undergraduates to engage themselves in the political process,” Kiley said.
Andersen said that this group of fellows is as strong as any he can remember.
“I am really thrilled about this group,” Andersen said. “I feel as good, if not better, about this group than any of the other groups.”
In addition to Bradlee, Bridgeland and Divoll, the four other resident fellows will be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont Jeff Amestoy, former U.S. Coordinator for Baghdad Barbara Bodine, Washington news anchor Kathleen Matthews and Joe Trippi, who recently managed the unsuccessful primary candidacy of former Vermont Gov. Howard B. Dean.
The three visiting fellows, who will only spend part of the semester at the IOP, are U.S. Assistant Surgeon General Susan Blumenthal, former Maine Gov. Angus King and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend.
Although he will no longer be the director of the IOP when the fellows actually begin their terms, Glickman said he will remain in close touch with the Institute.
“All of them are great,” Glickman said. “I am going to maintain a relationship with the IOP and try and help in any way I can.”
—Staff writer Evan M. Vittor can be reached at evittor@fas.harvard.edu.