Diversity

The Diversity Task Force is a board level initiative aimed towards strengthening the Fulbright alumni community though celebrating the mutidisciplinary, intergenerational, and international fabric of the Fulbright Program. Ideas, initiatives, and suggestions from Fulbright Association members are always welcomed.

A Message from Diversity Task Force Chairman Everette Penn

I am Dr. Everette B. Penn, and I had the pleasure of serving as a Fulbright Scholar to Egypt in 2005. During my time as a Fulbright I taught the American Criminal Justice System to students at Cairo University. As you may remember the early 00’s was a time of perceived contention and mistrust between the Middle East and the United States. It was because of the events of September 11, 2001 my general interest in criminology honed into focusing on homeland security. My belief is that the greatest weapon we have to deter and prevent terrorism is the development and sustainment of people to people relations that come from programs such as Fulbright. My Fulbright experience confirms this belief and I have extended this philosophy as I lead annual educational tours to Egypt. My students return to the their homes, places of work and families renewed, evolved and passionate about changing stereoytpes, misconceptions and stay beliefs that seem to dominate media sources about the Middle East. I am proud to be a part of this educational metemorphis.

A Message from John Vogel (Belgium, 1969)

My name is John Vogel (Belgium, 1969) and I am currently on the Board of Directors of the National Fulbright Association.  I have previously served on the Board of Directors of the Fulbright Association’s National Capital Area Chapter.  I am a life member of the Fulbright Association, and I strongly encourage anyone who is not already a member of this great organization to join.

My Fulbright experience in Brussels, Belgium allowed me to take comparative law courses at the Free University of Brussels and to work as a legal assistant to the general counsel of the  European Union, or E.U.  I was the only American working at that time at the E.U, and I enjoyed a unique opportunity to work with people from all member-countries in studying the harmonization of European tax and corporate law.   I am currently a partner at Patton Boggs LLP, a Washington, D.C. law firm, practicing in the field of international corporate finance.  My Fulbright experience in Brussels was a critical factor in my decision to practice in the international arena, and the contacts I have made and experiences that I have shared with Fulbright colleagues, both in the U.S. and abroad, and both during and after my Fulbright abroad, have been an important part of my business and personal life.  As a direct result of my Fulbright experience, I have had the good fortune to become friends with, and work professionally with, Fulbright alumni and visiting Fulbrighters from many countries.

The Fulbright Association provides a unique forum for alumni and visiting Fulbrighters to meet and enjoy both social occasions, as well as in-depth conferences on a variety of timely topics.  Fulbrighters regularly gather for happy hours, intellectual discussions, community service projects, and larger Fulbright events, both locally and nationally.

Please consider joining the Association today to connect with your Fulbright colleagues!

Sincerely,

John Vogel