University of Maryland - School of Public Policy

World-renowned New York Times journalist and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman delivered the luncheon keynote address at the Maryland School of Public Affairs’ 20th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, September 13. Friedman also signed his new book, Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11, which consists of columns he published about September 11 as well as a diary of his private experiences and reflections during his reporting on the post-September world as he traveled from Afghanistan to Israel to Europe to Indonesia to Saudi Arabia.

The event was held in the Grand Ballroom of theStamp Student Union and brought together the School's founding fathers, including former University Of Maryland President John Toll; former faculty and staff, alumni, former Board members, including Phil Merrill and Senator Joseph Tydings; and the many individuals who contributed to the School's success. Gov. Parris Glendening served as a panelist at one of the “Leading With Excellence” Policy Forums and the Dean’s Reception featured the Capitol Steps, a political satire group composed of former Congressional staffers.

The Maryland School of Public Affairs is the top-ranked public policy program in the Washington-metropolitan area according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings. It was created in 1981 to address the growing need for trained professionals to deal with the complexity of policy dilemmas. The School opened its doors to students in 1982 and now celebrates its 20th anniversary as one of the premier public policy institutions in the nation, recognized for its excellent faculty, innovative curriculum, and leadership in the education of public policy professionals.