Jack Frederick

3 weeks ago | american.edu | Jack Frederick

Their classwork is done; their tassels have been turned. But even as a chapter is closing for the class of 2025—American University’s largest graduating class in history—their AU story isn’t finished. “Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will always be an Eagle. As we say around here, once an Eagle, always an Eagle,” President Jon Alger said.

1 month ago | american.edu | Jack Frederick

President's Award winner Faith Massey with President Jon Alger. Photo by Jeff Watts. When Faith Massey, CAS/BA ’25, arrived at American University she had to learn to ask herself: Why not me? “Having a mustard seed of faith will propel you the furthest because you truly don’t know where you can go,” said Massey, winner of the 2025 President’s Award—AU’s highest undergraduate award. “You’ve got to be willing to bet on yourself.

2 months ago | american.edu | Jack Frederick

There was a celebratory mood across the American University campus last week, as the community hosted nearly 30 inauguration events in the leadup to President Jon Alger’s installation on March 28. Here are some snapshots from the events, which marked a new era for the university under Alger’s leadership.

Feb 26, 2025 | american.edu | Jack Frederick

American University has this week been named a top producer of Fulbright US students and Fulbright US scholars for 2024–25 by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. AU is one of just 19 institutions across the country—and only 13 doctoral universities—that earned both distinctions, recognizing the university for having 12 students and six senior scholars selected for the US government’s flagship international academic exchange program.

Feb 11, 2025 | american.edu | Jack Frederick

At the start of a two-hour brainstorming session last week, American University faculty, staff, students, and university leaders were asked to jot down ideas about how to promote dialogue and foster relationships between people who disagree. “Building an understanding,” one participant wrote on a sticky note that became part of a makeshift wall of ideas. “You don’t have to agree, but you can have an understanding of a person’s perspective.”“Talk less,” another wrote.