Last weekend, hundreds of SEGL's faithful gathered on the eve of the 2024 election to celebrate, network, gather strength, and inspire each other. And there is no doubt that they made this year's SEGL Weekend a huge success!

The weekend began at our Academic building in Washington, DC, where we welcomed graduates and family members from all three SEGL campuses, as well as trustees and friends, for a welcome reception.

The next morning, devotees packed the Academic building's Parlor for a model English class with Colleen Kyle, SEGL in DC Academic Dean and English teacher. The lesson was the now-traditional "Tennis Balls Speech" from Shakespeare's Henry V. The conversation was lively, focused, and fun!

That afternoon, we moved to the United States Institute of Peace for our main program. Our keynote conversation featured General John F. Kelly, the former White House Chief of Staff and Secretary of Homeland Security.

Kelly, who spoke with SEGL students at Arlington National Cem provided off-the-record insights and reflections on his time in the Obama and Trump Administration, the value of ethics in leadership, and the upcoming election.

Zora Penn (SEGL in DC Spring 2024) moderated the panel, and SEGL Golden Mug winner and Acting President of USIP Ambassador George Moose introduced the keynote.

After a short break, we reconvened in USIP's Carlucci Auditorium for a fascinating and entertaining panel discussion on the upcoming election. The panel included Julie Hirschfeld Davis (Congressional Editor for The New York Times), Laura Silver (Associate Director, Pew Research Centers), and Steve Scully, the longtime C-SPAN anchor and current Sirius XM host.

The panelists reflected on General Kelly's remarks, and then answered audience questions on a wide-ranging set of topics - including, of course, their thoughts on who would win in November. Spring 2024 DC graduate Diego Gómez Zamora presided over the proceedings.

After the panel, we moved to USIP's Leland Atrium for a reception honoring our Golden Mug Awardee, Aaron David Miller, and our entire community. As Founder and Head of School Noah Bopp said in his remarks:

*Remember the values you gathered in this place, remember that work you started in this place, remember the friends you made in this place, remember that no one is better equipped than you, remember that our humanity runs deeper than policy, and remember that this place will always be home.  And then, keep working - with us, and those you will inspire - to keep changing our world for the better. * 

On Sunday morning, we returned to the Academic building for the annual State of the School conversation featuring Noah Bopp, SEGL in London Co-Director Abby Reed, SEGL in Johannesburg Director Shizuha Hatori (and SEGL in Johannesburg faculty members), and SEGL Trustee (and graduate) Camille Ward.Noah measured the School's progress against its Strategic Planning goals (click here to read our Strategic Plan) and fielded questions, ideas, and well-wishes.

Here's to another successful SEGL Weekend - we can't wait to see you next year!

(Click on each photo below for a larger image!)