Contact: Amy Baumer or Shannon Horvath, IPPSR, (517) 355-6672; or Gisgie Dávila Gendreau, University Relations, (517) 432-0924, gendrea3@msu.edu

2/24/2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Twenty-four current and future leaders will graduate from Michigan State University's Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) Thursday, March 3. The graduation kicks off a two-day fund-raising effort for the program in Livonia and Grand Rapids.

MPLP is a 10-month, hands-on program in personal leadership development, public policy analysis and process, effective governance and campaigning.

Each year, 24 fully paid fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis by MPLP. Together with their predecessors, the 2004 class represents an alumni corps of nearly 350 people, composed of a diverse group of men and women from across the state.

“This class was especially energetic,” said MPLP co-director James G. Agee. “I expect great things from this group of future leaders.”

Co-director Anne M. Mervenne added: “I am confident that each of the 2004 graduates is prepared to tackle public policy issues as a candidate for office, as a government official and as an involved citizen.”

Following the graduation, the new Democratic National Committee Chair Gov. Howard Dean and three-time Republican presidential candidate Patrick J. Buchanan will headline the program's March 3 and 4 fund-raisers.

The 10^th annual MPLP Annual Fund-raising Dinner will take place on Thursday, March 3, at the Laurel Manor in Livonia. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a reception. Dinner and a program follow at 6 p.m. In addition to the dinner, MPLP will host its 3^rd annual West Michigan Breakfast on Friday, March 4, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and the program at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets for each event are $125, $100 of which is tax deductible. Money raised at the events will help fund future fellowships – valued at $12,000 each.

For more information on the graduation or to purchase tickets to the events, call (517) 355-6672 or visit www.ippsr.msu.edu/MPLP

The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research in Michigan State University's College of Social Science administers the Michigan Political Leadership Program.

For a complete list of graduates, visit www.ippsr.msu.edu/MPLP/CurrentFellows.htm