The Embassy of Hungary hosted the annual DC Alumni-Student
Networking Reception of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts
University. A hundred current Fletcher students, nearly two-hundred Fletcher
alumni, numerous faculty, staff and guests attended the event.
The Ambassador of Germany, Wolfgang Ischinger, took part in the
reception as he is a member of the Fletcher Board and also a 1972-73 alumnus of
the school. Hungarian Ambassador András Simonyi honored Ambassador Ischinger on
the occasion of his departure from Washington with the 1989 Commemorative Coin
"Hungarian Republic" (minted for the declaration of the Republic of
Hungary on October 23, 1989).
Ambassador Simonyi paid tribute to the work and service of the
German Ambassador in the past years. He described Ischinger as "stubborn
when it came to represent Europe in America, and just as stubborn when it came
to strengthening the Transatlantic relationship." He referred to the
honoree as a great friend of Hungary, and said, "I can think of no better
person, no better German to have this very rare Commemorative Coin",
reminding of the changes that took place in the year of 1989.
Ambassador Ischinger thanked the Hungarian Ambassador for his
friendship and kind words. He recalled the Summer and Fall of 1989 when the
Hungarian people cut the barbed wire of the Iron Curtain and helped large groups
of East German refugees cross the border to Austria. In Ischinger's view, these
brave deeds eventually led to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the reunification of
Germany and of the European continent, which process was strongly supported by
the United States.
The Senior Associate Dean of Fletcher, Deborah Nutter encouraged
students to make the best of this networking opportunity but reminded them that,
according to the Fletcher spirit, every generation must repay their
predecessor's kindness by helping the next generation. The leaders of Fletcher's
DC Alumni Club presented the Young Alumni Award to Adam Treanor (F '02). During
the reception, students had the chance to meet alumni working at the State
Department, other departments and federal agencies, Congress, universities,
think-tanks, the media, law firms, private companies, international
organizations and Washington embassies.
Film Director and Fletcher Board Member Peter Ackermann,
Ambassador Simonyi and Ambassador Ischinger
Ambassador Simonyi honors the German Ambassador with the 1989
commemorative coin
Fletcher's Senior Associate Dean, Deborah Nutter, greeting
students and alumni
