New Harris Alumni Council

Colm O’Muicheartaigh, Dean of the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago, announced the creation of the Alumni Council (Council) and congratulated its inaugural members on their appointments.

The Council started work beginning December 3, 2011, with the purpose of fostering relationships among Alumni, between Alumni and current students, and between Alumni and the Harris School. The Council will focus on the career growth of Alumni and current students, enhancing communications between the Harris School and Alumni and expanding the Harris School’s resources by engaging Alumni.

Dean O’Muicheartaigh said: “The Harris School is in an extraordinary growth phase, with many exciting initiatives already announced and many more in the pipeline. Proactively engaging with Alumni and establishing a formal body for this purpose are vitally important. That is why I am excited to announce the creation of the Alumni Council. I will seek the Council’s advice on Alumni matters and will look to it to implement many exciting initiatives. I thank members of the Council for volunteering to be part of this and congratulate them on their appointments.”

All Alumni of the Harris School are eligible for Council membership. Inaugural Council members have been appointed for staggered terms of 1, 2, and 3 years. Following this, new and renewing members shall be appointed for 3 year terms.

Inaugural Council members are:

Alesia Booth (1982), Aimee Dawson (2007), Gerardo de la Pena Hernandez (2001), Benjamin Dieterich (2008), Cynthia Dubois (2010), John "Erik" Garr (2005), Andrew Geer (1994), Robert “Beau” Gratzer (2003), Alaina Harkness (2006), Abigail Ann Lopez (2008), Charles Parekh (2000), Edward Powers (1995), Alvin Quinones (2007), Matthew Staman (1997), Elizabeth Swanson (2002), Stephen Tkachyk (2010), Mijo Vodopic (2000), Madura Wijewardena (2007), Jodie Winnett (1994), Jennifer Yeaw (2006) and Sara Zuiderveen (2003)

The Council will consist of an Executive Committee and Standing Committees. The Executive Committee was elected at the first Council meeting on December 3, 2011:

President: Ben Dieterich

President-Elect: Beau Gratzer

Secretary: Jennifer Yeaw

Membership Chair: Charlie Parekh