Deputy Chief of Mission Pamela Quanrud hosted a reception for members of the Alumni Association during which the guest of honor was Colleen P. Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy.

DAS Colleen Graffy speaking to the alumni guests (more photos)

On September 4 2008, Deputy Chief of Mission Pamela Quanrud hosted a reception for members of the Alumni Association during which the guest of honor was Colleen P. Graffy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. DCM Quanrud welcomed over 70 guests to her residence who came from different regions of Poland representing various professional fields. DAS Graffy spoke about public diplomacy and importance of the further development of the association and networking. Graffy encourage US exchange participants to sign up at the http://alumni.state.gov through laptops with IT access that was prepared in advance and to fill out the declaration forms if they haven’t done it so far. The President of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association, Dr. Jacek Nieckula, spoke about the goals for next year as well as briefly described recent accomplishments of the association. Nieckula stressed the importance of reaching out to recruit new exchange participants and support projects related to professional development. It was an opportunity for all alumni to meet and talk and establish contacts with other Polish leaders.