Humphrey Fellowship Program Celebrates 25 Years at Rollins
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows from across the globe convened at the Rollins School of Public Health during the first week of March for the 33rd annual Global Development and Social Justice Workshop. Forty Humphrey fellows from 30 countries attended the week-long workshop, which included lectures, site work, and community engagement activities. The meeting coincided with the program’s 25th anniversary at Rollins, and its 40th anniversary as a program.
The week's events included welcoming remarks from Dean James W. Curran, a guided tour of the Carter Center, a visit to the Center for Civil and Human Rights and the King Center, lectures, and community service with MedShare and Atlanta Food Bank.
Thursday morning, Anne Howard-Tristani shared personal memories about her uncle (and fellowship namesake), Hubert H. Humphrey. After, Emory University Professor Emeritus Dr. Stanley Foster led the fellows in a community transformation exercise. The highlight of the week (and of each year’s workshop) culminated in a conversation with President Jimmy Carter.
President Carter shared his reflections on establishing the fellowship to honor Hubert Humphrey, and the impact Humphrey fellows continue to have on the United States and their home communities around the world. Workshop participants, current and past host families, community partners, and alumni joined in celebrating this occasion.
Seven Emory Humphrey alumni traveled from Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central America to reconnect with each other and Rollins. Dr. Bill Foege shared reports on public health progress. Dr. Sandra Gomez Ventura (2016-2017, Honduras) presented a talk on Using Tele-Education to Improve the Knowledge of your Students and/or Staff and the Humphrey Experience: The case of the Faculty of Health Science in UNITEC Honduras. Dr. Koffi Siliadin (2016-2017, Togo) video-conferenced in to discuss hosting five Emory University students in Togo in the summer of 2017 for their practicum and field experiences on abortion mortality. Workshop and anniversary participants concluded their week with a special lunch at Dr. and Mrs. Rochat’s home on Lake Lanier.
About the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
President Carter initiated the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program in 1978 as a way to honor the late senator and vice president and as a means to support the development of both public- and private-sector professionals who are committed to public service in their countries. The program brings accomplished mid-career professionals from designated developing countries to the United States for one year of non-degree graduate study and practical professional experience.
Applicants apply through the U.S. Embassy in their country where first-level screenings are conducted. Selection is highly competitive. Fellows are nominated by the United States Embassy or Fulbright Commission based on their potential for leadership and commitment to public service. Final selection is made in the United States by expert panels of review. Awards are made by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
The Humphrey Program at the Rollins School of Public Health began with a class of 11 fellows in the fall of 1993. Rollins fellows focus on epidemiology, health education, and public health policy and administration. The 13 fellows in the 2018-2019 program at Rollins come from nations around the world including Costa Rica, Guinea, Kosovo, Bhutan, Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, and Myanmar. To read more about this year’s class and/or the program, click here.
