EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University announced today the 24 members of its Michigan Political Leadership Program fellows for 2009.
The fellows now begin 10 months of studies in a program considered unique in the nation for fully paid scholarships for individuals who hope to run for public office. The fellows include legislative aides, a lawyer, energy specialist, educator and a member of a township fire department. For a list of fellows and their hometowns, go here.
The political leadership program is housed at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, a unit of MSU’s College of Social Science.
“Our fellows come from all regions of the state, from all political parties and from all professions,” said Douglas Roberts, IPPSR director. “They have one important quality in common: a commanding interest in leadership and public policy.”
More than 400 people have graduated from the program since it was launched in 1992. An estimated one-fifth of MPLP’s graduates have served or are now serving in elective or appointed office.
The fellowships, valued at $12,000 per person, cover such subjects as personal leadership, ethics in governing, campaign finance, constituent service, economic development and media relations.
“The training includes group exercises and debate, hands-on experiences and an opportunity to form bonds with the many experts who take the time to make specialized presentations to the group,” said Anne Mervenne, co-director of the leadership program
“This is the kind of information that can be put to work immediately in a campaign for state House, city council or local school board,” added co-director Dianne Byrum.
Once a year, MPLP alumni gather with new graduates and incoming fellows in two fundraisers that draw multipartisan crowds. The events feature two well-known political leaders, one a Democrat and the other a Republican, and raise the majority support for MPLP fellowships. The public is welcome.
Former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee, current Democratic Council Chair, and Republican campaign strategist Mike Murphy, who grew up in the Detroit area, will speak at a Feb. 26 dinner in Livonia and Feb. 27 breakfast in Grand Rapids. For more information about the program and to pursue tickets or sponsorships, see http://www.ippsr.msu.edu/.
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