Beyond Ward Circle

Jehan Harney Draws Praise for Short Film

More than a decade ago Jehan Harney made the trip from Egypt to study international journalism at American University. Today, she is profiled by the Washington Post as her film-making talents draw attention:

Harney, a TV journalist, filmmaker and Muslim, set out to capture a different story. Her short film, "Soul Mechanic," about a Muslim car mechanic and artist in Cambridge, Mass., was selected as a finalist in the "One Nation, Many Voices" online film festival last week. The documentary tells the story of a Muslim mechanic who uses his garage to display sculptures that fuse Islamic, Christian and Jewish symbols.

Mark Webber to Advise President on Asian Security Issues

From a White House press release yesterday:

The President has named Mark J. Webber to be Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South and Central Asian Affairs in the National Security Council.  Mr. Webber recently served as Special Advisor to the Vice President for National Security Affairs.  He received his bachelor's degree and master's degrees from American University.  He received his JD from the George Washington University Law School.

The Story of Windy Zou Kohl

Today I came across an article published in November by Maddux Business Report that profiled Windy Zou Kohl, a 1993 recipient of a graduate degree in international communications from American University. It is a fascinating look at someone who watched the events in Tiananmen Square and decided to head to the U.S. for a graduate education. She wound up with a scholarship to AU, where she also changed her first name to Windy since Xiaojie, her given name, proved too hard for professors to pronounce. Today, she works for GTE and is married to a hedge fund manager ("My husband is as American as you can get,” she told the author). Certainly a long way from her original goal of becoming a Chinese diplomat. This link takes you to what appears to be an abbreviated version of her story, but it's worth taking a few minutes to read.

Tim Ryan Named CEO of Securities Industry Association

Tim Ryan, a graduate of AU's Washington College of Law, was recently named CEO of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association based in New York. He has been with JP Morgan since 1993, most recently as Vice Chairman of Investment Banking for Financial Institutions and Governments and a member of the Investment Banking Coverage Management Committee. Prior to joining the private sector, Ryan spent more than a decade split between government service and at a private law firm, including stints at the Department of Labor, Resolution Trust Corporation, and Office of Thrift Supervision. When he wasn't in public service, he was a partner at Washington, DC's Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay.

Ruben Keoseyan Named Publisher of Chicago's Leading Spanish-Language Weekly

Perhaps it was the Master's degree he picked up at AU, but whatever the case, Ruben Keoseyan will take the helm as publisher of La Raza newspaper in Chicago. Previous experience includes serving for five years as Managing Editor of La Opinion, a Los Angeles daily newspaper. He also has spent time in television, working for ABC and NBC affiliates in California. "It is an honor and a privilege to take the helm of this great newspaper," said Keoseyan. "I look forward to contributing in the continued success of La Raza in its efforts to serve the Spanish-speaking community of the greater Chicago area. We have a group of extremely talented employees, and along with them I expect to solidify our position as a must-read for Latinos.”

Lynn De Lacy Named Psychiatric Nurse of the Year

Dr. Lynn De Lacy received a nursing degree from American University back in 1981 (yes, more recent graduates may not know that the school used to have a nursing program, since discontinued). Recently, she was honored as the 2007 Psychiatric Nurse of the Year by the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. De Lacy went on to earn a Master's and a PhD following her days at AU and today is the Director of the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute.

K. David Harrison Featured in Film at Sundance Festival

He's gone a long way from political science at American University.  That's perhaps the best way to characterize what has happened to K. David Harrison since his graduation, as he spent time living in Eastern Europe and developed an appreciation for languages, according to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Today, the 41 year old serves as an assistant professor at Swarthmore College and is an expert in linguistics. He will be featured in a film titled The Linguists at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival founded by Robert Redford.

Harrison himself speaks Russian, Polish, and three Siberian languages.  The film tracks Harrison and a colleague as they travel around the globe exploring some of the 7,000 languages still spoken by at least a few people.

Even if Harrison weren't an AU grad, this article makes for interesting reading, and I imagine the film will be no less captivating, so take a few moments to read about it.

AU Law Grad Talks About Immigration Reform

The Barnstable Patriot in Massachusetts writes today about Matthew Lee:

"Lee, who at age 2 immigrated with his parents to Massachusetts from South Korea, served as a U.S. Navy military attorney after graduating from American University Law School in Washington D.C. He then worked as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service before establishing his immigration law practice 10 years ago. Today Tocci, Goss and Lee, with offices in Boston and Centerville, specializes in corporate employment and immigration law, helping U.S. companies to employ and retain legally foreign national professional workers."

The article details his views on immigration reform and media coverage of those issues.

Steve Redisch Named Executive Editor of Voice of America

A graduate of American University, Steve Redisch, was recently tapped to become the Executive Editor of Voice of America.  After beginning his career with DC area radio station WTOP, he spent the past 20 years at CNN, with time in both their Washington bureau as well as at their headquarters in Atlanta.  The two time Emmy Award winner will supervise "daily operations and activities of VOA's news, programs, language services, broadcast operations, and Internet departments," according to a VOA release.

WCL Grad First Female Sheriff of Monmouth County, NJ

Kim Guadagno, a 1983 graduate of the Washington College of Law at AU, was recently elected as the first female sheriff of Monmouth County, NJ.  The Iowa native and former Assistant US Attorney is profiled in the Examiner today.  She had maintained a solo law practice in recent years which she will give up in her new role.  She has a husband who serves as a Superior Court Judge and is the mother to three boys.  She will continue to teach at Rutgers Law School on a part-time basis.

Jim Barnett Profiled for Role as McCain Campaign Operative

AU grad Jim Barnett, a native of Vermont, was recently profiled by the Burlington Free Press for his role as New England political director for John McCain's presidential campaign.  The article also notes that a college roommate helped move his career along at a critical juncture.  The 31 year old Barnett also served at the Republican National Committee and in the Bush White House.

Congrats to Jim on helping to engineer a winning campaign in the New Hampshire primary as well as getting some good ink along the way!