AFSA NEWS 62 DECEMBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Foundation (SLF) and the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT). He began with a tribute to Ambassador Davis, and also paid tribute to those who have passed, including his parents and colleagues from the Foreign Service family. Reflecting on his time in the Foreign Service, Amb. Grossman spoke about the broader purpose of diplomacy in the 21st century: “What purpose will American diplomacy serve in the 21st century? I was proud to be an American diplomat. I believe diplomacy has a role to play in solving many of the problems that confront individual citizens and the nations in which they live. Diplomacy can identify paths to a more prosperous and peaceful future. “To make [positive outcomes] possible, Americans must bridge the divisions that today consume our public institutions. Simultaneously, the purposes, processes, culture, and supporting institutions of U.S. diplomacy must change if today’s diplomats have any chance of carrying out their vital work effectively.” Grossman reiterated the enduring value of diplomacy: “When young people ask me if they should become diplomats and represent the United States, my answer is always ‘absolutely.’ America needs professional, creative, and courageous diplomats At the award ceremony reception, from left: Mariya Ilyas, Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SFRC Mischa Thompson, AFSA Governing Board Member Kimberly McClure, Foreign Service Champion Patricia Scroggs, Foreign Service Officer Hermes Grullon and AFSA State Vice President Tina Wong. AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA who represent the values, diversity, and strength of the United States to promote and protect America’s interests, values, and citizens around the globe.” He reminded the audience that those who take the oath of office to serve in the State Department are embarking on what former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage memorably called “a life of significance.” See the Journal’s interview with Amb. Grossman on page 22. Foreign Service Champions Established in 2022, the Foreign Service Champions Award recognizes an influential noncareer member of the foreign affairs community who has made meaningful AFSA Awards Continued from page 57 contributions to the Foreign Service and the diplomatic profession. Recipients may be from Congress, the U.S. military, nongovernment organizations, or elsewhere. Tom Yazdgerdi presented this year’s award to Patricia Hanigan Scroggs. After serving in the Foreign Service from 1986 to 2005, Scroggs devoted herself to transforming the U.S. Foreign Service by developing and expanding fellowship programs that promote diversity in the Foreign Service and Civil Service. “I am honored to be recognized for my leadership of the Diplomatic Fellowships program administered by Howard University. These are the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program, the Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program, and the newer USDA fellowship programs. “Our fellows bring the resilience, persistence, cultural adaptability, intelligence, and other attributes that have allowed them to excel as they navigate lives that often include significant challenges. Their stories are as powerful and diverse as the challenges they will face in their Foreign Service careers.” Scroggs shared her pride in the fact that today, one in nine Foreign Service officers is an alumnus of one of these programs, and she expressed hope for the continued success of their efforts in shaping the future of American diplomacy.
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