Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr., the co-chairman on the Commission on Presidential Debates, and Amy Walter, editor of The Cook Report, will join the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) as the 2015-2016 Terker Distinguished Fellows in Media and Public Affairs. These exceptional professionals will participate in class discussions, career advising and public events throughout the academic year.
“Frank and Amy will provide unparalleled insight into this year’s political landscape,” said Frank Sesno, director of SMPA. “They are entrenched in the political world—one as a veteran operative, the other a veteran journalist and analyst. We couldn’t ask for two better professionals to guide our students through what’s shaping up to be a wacky Presidential primary season.”
As co-chairman on the Commission on Presidential Debates, Fahrenkopf oversees the general election presidential and vice presidential debates in election years. Prior to his current position, he served as the President and CEOP of the American Gaming Association; and in the 1980s, he served as chairman of the Republican Party for six years while Ronald Regan was in office.
"American politics is constantly changing," said Fahrenkopf. "I'm excited to work with students and help them understand the importance of how media as we know it and social media figure into the dynamics of elections and public opinion."
Walter is a political analyst with a reputation for her insight and access with campaigns and political operatives. She is a regular panelist on major political network programs including NBC’s Meet the Press, PBS’ Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier. Prior to her time at The Cook Political Report, she was the political director of ABC News.
“If you want to be a doctor, you need to spend a lot of time learning about how all the organs and parts of the human body work. If you want to understand politics, you need to spend the same sort of time investigating each and every part of the body politic—the candidates, the policies, the money, the legislating—and understand how it all filters out to the public through the media,” said Walter. “SMPA and GW provide students that kind of intensive political ‘teaching hospital’ for politics. I'm excited to be a part of it.”
Established by Bruce and Cindy Terker in 2010, parents of 2013 SMPA graduate Jennifer Terker, the Terker Distinguished Fellows in Media and Public Affairs program brings exceptional professionals from the fields of media, political communication and public affairs to SMPA each academic year to participate in class discussions, public events, and career advising. Past fellows include Barbara Bradley Hagerty, Tony Fratto, Major Garrett, Tara Sonenshine, Joe Lockhart, Ed Henry, Sen. Bob Bennett, Bob Herbert, P.J. Crowley, Arun Chaudhary, Mara Liasson and Douglas Wilson.