Ambassador Hails Diplomacy in ICC Talk

The effective use of diplomacy remains the United States’ greatest asset, said Former Ambassador R. Nicholas Burns yesterday in a speech in the Intercultural Center Auditorium.

“I do believe that we now need to give more attention to diplomacy as that essential arrow in our national quiver,” he said. “And that rebuilding [of] our diplomatic strength ought to be a national imperative.”

Burns retired from the Foreign Service in March 2008 after more than twenty years of work in diplomatic circles. He has served as the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the State Department, as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Greece and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Students in the School of Foreign Service established the Trainor Trust Fund to commemorate Raymond “Jit” Trainor, a former longtime registrar of the SFS. The award is presented annually to honor diplomatic distinction.

He also received the 27th Jit Trainor Award for Distinction in the Conduct of Diplomacy. The Institute for the Study of Diplomacy and the Trustees of the Trainor Endowment presented the award to Burns in honor of his active participation in diplomacy.

In his speech, entitled “Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next Administration,” he said the greatest challenge that the next president will need to address is the necessity for the country to acknowledge and maintain its position of leadership in the global community with an emphasis on diplomacy.

“That’s why it’s so important that we, the citizens, we, the American people, decide that our leadership in the world is not just a necessary thing; it’s a good thing. It is indispensable,” he said.

Burns ended by describing his vision of an American government that was globally-oriented, supporting initiatives that benefited the world rather than just focusing upon America.

“The world is not likely to respond to the American agenda if that agenda is all about us,” he said. “But I suspect the people around the world will support an American agenda that includes what people are really worried about.”

– Candace Mosely

egabus Offers $1 Fare From D.C. to NY

egabus, a subsidiary of Coach USA, will offer dollar bus rides from D.C.’s Union Station to New York’s Penn Station starting May 30.

According to Megabus, new, environmentally-efficient buses will offer 11 departure times daily at prices as low as $1, but as the departure date nears, fares may rise from $1 to as much as $21 if booked up to one hour before departure.

“The overwhelming popularity of Megabus’ innovative express bus service prompted us to expand to the East Coast,” said Dale Moser, president and chief operating officer of megabus.com, in the press release.

For the first week of service, between May 30 and June 5, Megabus is offering free departure fares except for a 50-cent booking fee.

Kiera Bloore (SFS ’10), who frequents Vamoose bus lines to New York out of Rosslyn, Va., emphasized the importance of convenient and inexpensive bus lines.

“This new bus line sounds great on face value; however, there are a lot of additional things to worry about,” she said. “A Georgetown student has to consider how to get from campus to Union Station, and with luggage, it’s likely going to be a cab instead of a GUTS bus and Metro ride, which makes the trip much more expensive.”

egabus will provide wireless internet and power outlets, according to the press release.

-Mary Orton

Rigby Remembered With Race, Ball

The memory of Daniel Rigby lived on Saturday afternoon as 350 people attended the Run for Rigby, a 5K run in memory of the former McDonough School of Business student who died during a house fire in Oct. 2004.

Co-presidents of Run for Rigby, Reagan Smith (MSB ’08) and Anne Haffenreffer (COL ’08), were satisfied with the day, both agreeing that it was a success.

In addition to the run, Saturday’s events included the Rigby Ball, a formal event held at the Thunder Grill at Union Station.

According to Smith, 275 people attended the ball, including students, alumni and some of Rigby’s family members.

One of the goals Run for Rigby achieved was to raise money to help the Friends of Rigby Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting fire safety and education, and to support its two scholarships, Smith said. One of the scholarships is at Rigby’s high school, Bergen Catholic, and the other is at Georgetown.

“Sponsorships, donations and tickets brought in $29,850, of which $10,000 is profit that will go towards fire safety awareness and scholarships,” said Smith.

Jay Tedino (MSB ’06) the vice president of the Friends of Rigby Foundation said he was happy with the outcome of the events.

“I would credit the day as a huge success,” said Tedino. “Any time we can bring together alumni, current students, parents, families and people outside of Georgetown to celebrate the life of Dan Rigby and to honor his memory, it definitely should be viewed as a success.”

Because Rigby was a former member of the Georgetown rugby team, the current captain Daniel Castrigano (SFS ’09) strongly felt the need to support the cause.

“I wanted to be involved with the Rigby Weekend because the Class of 2008 is the last class who knew Dan Rigby,” Castrigano said. “I wanted to be involved because I am the captain of the Georgetown rugby team and because the next generation of people need to continue this great fundraising effort.”

– Courteney Lario

The HOYA Elects New Leadership

The Board of Editors of THE HOYA elected new leadership on Saturday, voting Bailey Heaps (COL ’09) the 133rd editor in chief, Max Sarinsky (COL ’09) as chair of the Board of Directors and two new members to that board.

Sarinsky said that THE HOYA will not be going independent in the fall 2008 semester, which was the original goal set in fall 2007.

“We don’t have a definite timetable for going independent. We’re working towards trying to go independent within the next year or two,” Sarinsky said.

Negotiations between the administration and members of THE HOYA are ongoing.

“THE HOYA worked hard last semester to ensure that the independence will be a reality in the near future, and I’m going to try to continue that commitment next semester and really step up our efforts,” Heaps said.

Heaps previously served as the senior sports editor in fall 2006 and spring 2007 and as managing editor in fall 2007.

Several changes were made to the leadership structure of THE HOYA.

“THE HOYA added the executive editor position this semester so the editor in chief could take a step back and address long-term goals,” Heaps said. “Hopefully I will be able to work towards instituting a long-term vision.”

Filling the new position will be Michele Hong (SFS ’10), the outgoing managing editor. Beth Shook (COL ’09) was elected managing editor.

The news staff leadership was also restructured to make campus news editor and city news editor separate senior-level positions.

Other changes are expected to occur with the newspaper’s Web site.

“The goal is to make thehoya.com a more interactive Web site,” Heaps said.

argaret McLaughlin (SFS ’10) and Elizabeth Lawton (SFS ’09) were elected as the two newest directors on the board.

– Julia Cai

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