EAST LANSING, Mich. –
Two former governors with 20 years of experience and 24 new Michigan State University Michigan Political Leadership Program Fellows with political dreams of their own were celebrated last week at two of the state's largest multi-partisan gatherings.
The MPLP Class of 2010 was introduced at a dinner Feb. 25 in Livonia and a breakfast Feb. 26 in Grand Rapids featuring speakers Jim Blanchard and John Engler. the class of 2010 includes openly lesbian member of the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University Garnet Lewis, who ran for the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008.
"It is a high honor to be able to welcome these 24 new MPLP Fellows at the same time we bring two governors with 20 years of experience to the MPLP stage for the first time," said Doug Roberts, director of MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, which administers MPLP.
MPLP has annually celebrated graduating Fellows and welcomed the incoming class with a fundraising dinner and breakfast which raise support for the 24 fellowships. Each fellowship is valued at $12,000.
The MPLP annually selects 24 people – 12 Democrats and 12 Republicans from all regions of the state – with a keen interest in political leadership and a desire to seek elected or appointed office.
The 10 months of weekend training sessions include visits to communities around the state, presentations and hands-on activities, all designed to build skills in political leadership, public policy and good government.
The program is co-directed by Anne Mervenne, a former executive in the Engler administration and now president of Mervenne & Co. consulting, and Steve Tobocman, a past Majority Floor Leader in the Michigan House and now managing partner of New Solutions Group LLC.
A complete list of the incoming fellows and their biographies can be found at http://www.ippsr.msu.edu/mplp/currentfellows.htm.
2010 Michigan Political Leadership Program fellows announced
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