What an extraordinary night of television last night! Whatever your political predispositions, the pomp, unity, strategy and history of the Democratic Convention has been mesmerizing, especially for those of us students of politics and public policy.
 
The last day of summer brings us to the exciting launch of a new academic year at the McCormack Graduate School.  We have strong new academic classes, a new Masters program in Dispute Resolution, rapid growth in our new applied policy and research initiatives, the potential for strategic diversification into global studies, several outstanding new faculty in the departments of Gerontology and Public Policy/Public Affairs, and the never-ending search for consolidated space in which to build our Center of Excellence. 
 
Please do join us for the Welcome Back Reception on Tuesday, September 9th from 4:00-6:00 in the Ryan Lounge on the 3rd floor of the McCormack office building.  We'll talk a bit about some of our current initiatives and plans for the future. 
 
MGS is poised to get into the health care reform research and policy area, as Anne Kelly Contini has worked with Donna Haig Friedman (Center on Social Policy) and Christa Kelleher (Center on Women in Politics and Public Policy) to propose an assessment of the impact of Massachusetts health care reform on the 300,000 enrollees of Commonwealth Care.  We have wanted to expand our reach into health policy, and this initiative builds on the strengths of our existing centers to lead that expansion.
 
Enjoy the long weekend, and I look forward to seeing you next school year.