Profiles In Public Service - Fitzhugh Elder IV

Fitzhugh Elder IV

Fitzhugh Elder IV was drawn to public service as a college student in Montana when he began to understand the impact of U.S. Forest Service policy on local communities. Fitz believed he could go to Washington, D.C. and make a difference.

Prior to his public service career, Fitz worked for Plum Creek Timber Company as a forestry aid and the Society of American Foresters as a "Henry Clepper" forest policy intern. In Washington D.C., he interned for the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Resources and Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health. He then worked for U.S. ...

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"When one takes a broad survey of the country, you will find that the most useful and influential people in it are those that take the deepest interest in institutions that exist for the purpose of making the world better."

Booker T. Washington
Stennis Center for Public Service
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STENNIS FELLOWS RELEASE FINAL REPORT ON CONGRESS

The 112th Congress Stennis Congressional Staff Fellows released a summary of highlights from their work together focused on the future of Congress as an institution of American democracy.  The 30 staff leaders nominated by Members of Congress and selected by an independent committee as Stennis Fellows in the 112th Congress represent both parties and both chambers.  Their summary, Moving Beyond Political Polarization:  How Can Congress Best Serve the Nation in the Coming Decade, can be read here.  For a list of Stennis Fellows, click here.

 Stennis Fellows Final Report on Congress
 

STENNIS FELLOWS COMPLETE PROGRAM FELLOWSHIP

The Stennis Congressional Staff Fellows of the 112th Congress celebrated the conclusion of their fellowship with a dinner on September 24, 2012 at the Freedom Forum in Washington, D.C.   Elizabeth MacDonough, Senate Parliamentarian and a 110th Congress Stennis Fellow, congratulated the class on their accomplishment and welcomed them into the fold of Senior Stennis Fellows.  Established in 1993, the Stennis Fellows program has become the premiere leadership development program for top staff leaders on Capitol Hill.
 

USS NIMITZ AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, DC

The leadership award winners from the USS NIMITZ aircraft carrier met with Congressman Mike Conaway of Texas as part of their trip to Washington, DC on September 20, 2012.
 

STENNIS NOVICE TOURAMENT HAS RECORD ATTENDANCE

Over 340 students from 23 high schools came to Mississippi State University on September 14-15, 2012, for the John C. Stennis Novice Speech and Debate Tournament. The purpose of this tournament is to provide an opportunity for novice debaters to compete on a level playing field.  The annual tournament began in 1995 and is now organized by Scott Waldrop, director of forensics at Hattiesburg High School, and coordinator for speech and debate for the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).
 

STENNIS INTERN PROGRAM CONCLUDES FOR SUMMER

The Stennis Congressional Intern Program concluded its 10th year on August 1, 2012. It is a bipartisan, bicameral leadership development program for summer interns of the United States Congress.  The six-week program is supported by the Senior Stennis Fellows as part of their ongoing effort to promote congressional public service.  The purpose is to enhance the experience of summer interns on Capitol Hill through networking with other interns and interaction with senior congressional staff.
 

USS BUSH AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

The 2012 winners of the leadership awards on the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH aircraft carrier visited the nation’s capital with their families on July 19-21, 2012.  The Stennis Center’s leadership awards programs on aircraft carriers recognize distinguished officers and senior-enlisted personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership on board their respective aircraft carriers.
 

CIVIL-MILITARY DINNER WITH SEC. OF DEFENSE LEON PANETTA

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Roger Wicker have led a series of discussions bringing together military leaders and first-term Senators, as part of the Stennis Center’s Civil-Military Leadership Program.  On June 30, nine U.S. Senators discussed a variety of national security issues with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.
 

TRUMAN SCHOLARS DAY ON CAPITOL HILL

The Harry S. Truman Scholars in Washington, D.C. for their Summer Institute participated in Truman Scholars Day on Capitol Hill.  The purpose of the program is to help them appreciate the role of Congress and encourage them to consider public service work on Capitol Hill.  One highlight of the program is when the Truman Scholars are paired with Senior Stennis Fellows who host the young leaders in their congressional offices.
 

CAPTAIN JOSH SWARTSEL WINS HAROLD KELLER AWARD AT STUDENT CONGRESS

In 2006, the Stennis Center created the Harold Keller Public Service Leadership Award to honor Keller’s leadership in the growth and success of Student Congress.  Beginning in 2007, the Keller Award has been presented annually to a former Student Congress competitor who has made significant contributions to his or her community, state, or nation through public service leadership.  The 2012 winner is Captain Josh Swartsel, a native of Orlando, FL and a 2007 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.  In addition to being a decorated soldier, as a Student Congress competitor from 1999 to 2003, Josh won championship rounds at Wake Forest, the Blue Key Invitational, and the 2003 NFL House National Championship.
 

STENNIS STUDENT CONGRESS HELD IN INDIANAPOLIS

Since 1991, the Stennis Center has sponsored the John C. Stennis National Student Congress as part of the National Forensic League’s (NFL) National Speech Tournament.  This year the country’s top high school debaters assembled June 10-15 in Indianapolis to compete for the honor of the nation’s best.
 

USS STENNIS AWARD WINNERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C.

The 2011 and 2012 winners of the leadership awards on the USS JOHN C. STENNIS aircraft carrier visited the nation’s capital with their families on June 20-23, 2012.  The Stennis Center’s leadership awards programs on aircraft carriers recognize distinguished officers and senior-enlisted personnel who have demonstrated exceptional leadership on board their respective aircraft carriers. The winners are selected through a ship-wide competition.