GW ELLIOTT SCHOOL ALUMNUS ADMIRAL JOSEPH W. PRUEHER IS UNANIMOUSLY CONFIRMED AS U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

WASHINGTON- Admiral Joseph W. Prueher, an alumnus of The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as ambassador to the People's Republic of China, last week. Prueher earned a master's degree in international affairs from GW in 1969. He is the second Elliott School graduate to serve as U.S. ambassador to China, James Lilley having served from April 1989 to May 1991.

GW's Elliott School Dean Harry Harding welcomed the Senate's action, saying "we wish Admiral Prueher the best in meeting the new challenges he will face in Beijing. His appointment to this important post is yet more evidence of the high quality of the Elliott School's graduates."

Last May, Prueher served as the commencement speaker for the Elliott School's centennial anniversary graduation ceremony. In that address, Prueher laid out what he regarded as the three prerequisites for successful leadership: "know your stuff, act decisively and with integrity and take care of your people." He illustrated these three principles by drawing on his extensive experience in leadership positions in the U.S. Navy.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Prueher graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy and entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction in 1964. He had a distinguished career in the navy, ending with his appointment as the 17^th U.S. naval officer to hold the position of commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii. In the post he led the largest of the unified commands and directed Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force operations across more than 100 million square miles-- more than 50 percent of the earth's surface.

The Elliott School is GW's professional school of international affairs and offers undergraduate, graduate and executive programs of study. Elliott School faculty includes some of the world's leading experts in international affairs. Over 1,500 students from 31 countries gives the school a truly international perspective. For more information about GW and the Elliott School, click on www.gwu.edu/~elliott.

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