WASHINGTON – Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez, who will be stepping down as president in May of this year, has been named a J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg announced Rodriguez’s appointment effective August 2002.

“In his leadership of Costa Rica, President Rodriguez has established a reputation for himself as an internationalist with a broad plan for the democratic and economic development of Central America,” said Trachtenberg. “I am honored that he has chosen The George Washington University as the place to share his extensive knowledge of economics, government, and international affairs.”

President Rodriguez will bring a wealth of government, private sector, and academic experience to the position.  His experience in Costa Rican government includes: presidential candidate and leading member of the Social Christian Party (1994-98); congressman in the Legislative Assembly (1990-94); president of the Legislative Assembly (1991-92); minister of the presidency (1970); and minister of planning (1968-69).  In the private sector he was the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Agradinamica Holding Company (1974-87), and founder and president of the Grupo Ganadero Internacional de Costa Rica, S.A. (1970-90).

President Rodriguez also has a distinguished academic background.  He was a visiting professor of economics at the Institute for International Studies, University of California, Berkeley (1969), and has been professor of economics at the University of Costa Rica since 1963 and at the Universidad Autonoma de Centro America since 1978.  In addition, he is a prolific writer whose publications include several books and numerous articles in academic journals on economics, politics, and social philosophy.  In 1962, he received a Licentiate Degree in Economics & Social Sciences and in 1963, a Licenciate in Law, both from the University of Costa Rica.  He received both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley.

Rodriguez’s term as Shapiro Professor will run from Fall 2002 through Spring 2004.  “Having President Rodriguez, a forward-looking and inspiring thinker, as a Shapiro Professor here at the Elliott School is extremely advantageous,” said Harry Harding, dean of the Elliott School.  “Our students will benefit enormously from his presence.  As a practitioner, he exemplifies the essence of what the Shapiro Professorship has come to represent, an individual who has a distinguished international career and is willing to share his expertise with future leaders.”

On September 5, 2000, President Rodriguez received an honorary doctorate of laws from GW and gave a public address at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new home of the Elliott School. As a Shapiro Professor at the Elliott School, President Rodriguez will teach several courses that will deal with inter-American issues, trade liberalization, and governance and human rights.

Expressing his pleasure with Rodriguez’s appointment Harding added, “As a world leader and academic, President Rodriguez will be a great influence on our students. I am looking forward to hosting his annual public lectures as Shapiro Professor.”

The Shapiro Professorship was established by the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Foundation to appoint prominent figures in the field of international affairs or diplomacy whose experiences and reputations bring an added measure of excellence to teaching and scholarship within the Elliott School.