"We are delighted that Tom McDonald will be speaking to our graduates in May," said Elliott School Dean Harry Harding. "Tom has just returned from three turbulent years in Harare, Zimbabwe, and I am certain that he will have an interesting and important message for us.  In Zimbabwe, he focused tremendous energy on fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic and encouraging the development of democracy."

Ambassador McDonald recently re-joined the national law firm of Arter & Hadden and is now managing partner of its Washington office.  From 1997 to 2001, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe.  He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Council of American Ambassadors.  He received his B.A. from The George Washington University in 1976 and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1979.

The Elliott School's Recognition of Achievement Ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. on May 18^th in GW's Smith Center, 600 22^nd Street, N.W.

The Elliott School is The George Washington University's professional school of international affairs.  It consciously seeks to blend the best of current academic theory with forward-looking practice.  Its focus is the macro-environment:  the fundamental forces that shape opportunities and pose threats to institutions and nations.

Four blocks from the White House, The George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821.  Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the nation's capital.  The University offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study as well as degree programs in medicine, law, engineering, education, business/public management and international affairs.   

- All media interested in covering this event, please contact Eric Solomon for reservations -