March 19, 2002
Elliott School Selects Rodriguez
to be Next Shapiro Professor
President Begins Teaching in August
Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodriguez,
who will be stepping down as leader of the Central American nation in
May, has been named a J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Professor at the Elliott
School of International Affairs. President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg
has announced Rodriguez’s appointment, which runs from fall 2002
through spring 2004.
“In his leadership of
Costa Rica, President Rodriguez has established a reputation for himself
as an internationalist with a broad plan for the democratic and economic
development of Central America,” Trachtenberg says. “I am
honored that he has chosen The George Washington University as the place
to share his extensive knowledge of economics, government, and international
affairs.”
Rodriguez will bring a wealth
of government, private sector, and academic experience to the position.
His experience in Costa Rican politics includes: presidential candidate
and leading member of the Social Christian Party (1994–98); congressman
in the Legislative Assembly (1990–94); president of the Legislative
Assembly (1991–92); minister of the presidency (1970); and minister
of planning (1968–69). In the private sector, he chaired the board
and served as chief executive officer of Agradinamica Holding Company
(1974–87), and was founder and president of the Grupo Ganadero
Internacional de Costa Rica, S.A. (1970–90).
“Having President Rodriguez,
a forward-looking and inspiring thinker, as a Shapiro Professor here
at the Elliott School is extremely advantageous,” says Harry Harding,
dean of the Elliott School. “Our students will benefit enormously
from his presence. As a practitioner, he exemplifies the essence of
what the Shapiro Professorship has come to represent, an individual
who has a distinguished international career and is willing to share
his expertise with future leaders.”
On Sept. 5, 2000, Rodriguez
received an honorary doctorate of laws from GW and gave a public address
at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new home of the Elliott School
at 1957 E St. As a Shapiro Professor, Rodriguez will teach several courses
that will deal with inter-American issues, trade liberalization, and
governance and human rights.
The Shapiro Professorship was
established by the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Foundation to appoint
to the faculty prominent figures in the field of international affairs
or diplomacy whose experiences and reputations bring an added measure
of excellence to teaching and scholarship within the Elliott School.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
