IOP Conference to Begin Anniversary Celebration

The Institute of Politics (IOP) at the Kennedy School of Government kicks off a weekend of events today to commemmorate its 20th anniversary with a conference and festivities.

The IOP conference begins tonight, when Sen. Edward M. Kennedy '54 (D-MA) and future IOP former governor of Pennsylvania, former Governor of Pennsylvania, will make opening remarks in the K-School's Public Affairs Forum.

The festivities will end Sunday, after speeches, receptions, a dance and a picnic lunch, including appearances by many well-known politicians and journalists.

The IOP has mailed 1700 invitations for the weekend to "everyone who has been through the Institute in the past 20 years," said Mary F. McTigue, administrative and financial assistant at the IOP.

More than 350 of the invited guests said that they will be attending the celebration, which has been in the planning since last April, McTigue said. She said the weekend will also commemorate the month of the late President John F. Kennedy's 70th birthday, May 29.

The weekend will be dedicated to Lord Harlech, an early supporter of the IOP and a former friend of President John F. Kennedy '40, K-School spokesman Steven Singer said.

"The purpose of the IOP is to teach people about politics and particularly about electoral politics," said Singer, noting that two former Institute fellows--Sen. Paul Simon (D-III.) and Sen. Albert Gore Jr. '69 (D-Tenn.)--are now presidential candidates.

Members of the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) are among the invited guests, although speeches will be open to the public.

"The people who are coming in--[Senator] Ted Kennedy and his buddies--are on the Senior Advisory Group. We all met before so it should be one big grand old fun time. And I may steal a dance with Jackie O.," said SAC member Lawrence D. Belfer '88.