On May 16, IWP celebrated Commencement for the Class of 2026 and the Presidential Investiture of its fourth President, Chris Glass, at the Fairmont in Washington, D.C.

IWP Professor of Economics Dr. Anne Bradley served as the Master of Ceremonies. A color guard from Georgetown Army ROTC presented the colors, and Capt. Tim Field (’21) sang the National Anthem. Former IWP Army War College Fellow CH (COL) Karen Meeker gave the invocation.

After remarks from IWP’s new Chairman, Mario Kranjac, Chris Glass was formally invested as IWP’s President. Chairman Kranjac presented President Glass with IWP’s Charter, Chancellor Dr. John Lenczowski presented him with the IWP Mace, and President Emerita Amb. Aldona Woś presented him with the chains of office.

The keynote address was given by Rear Admiral Paul Becker, USN (Ret.), who received a Doctorate of Laws, Honoris Causa, from IWP. In his remarks, Admiral Becker noted that IWP is not just another policy school. It is unique in that it teaches the “full arsenal“ of the arts of statecraft.

He focused on three important traits for practitioners of national security: Teamwork, Tone, and Tenacity. He noted that IWP taught its students Teamwork through its scholar-practitioner faculty and emphasis on coordinated statecraft, saying, “That’s teamwork at the strategic level.”

In terms of Tone, he encouraged the graduates to keep up their energy and enthusiasm despite the real challenges they will encounter in their work. And in terms of Tenacity, he encouraged the Class of 2026 to keep showing up, learning, adapting, and focusing on the mission to protect Americans and the free world.

He also encouraged IWP graduates to continue to exhibit moral leadership and maintain the sense of realism that they learned at IWP.

Kiley Pittman was recognized as the Salutatorian, and Jasper Clyatt was recognized as the Valedictorian. In his valedictory remarks, Jasper pointed to the benefits of IWP’s core curriculum to create common ground between classmates, as well as the benefits of learning from classmates about their unique areas of expertise.

He encouraged the graduates to maintain their principles, noting: “The world we are entering is complex, and the decisions we make will be consequential. The virtue of prudence that we have developed here — realistically driven but morally grounded — is what we will carry forth in our coming endeavors.”

Alumni Board President Captain Wendell Bryant (’23) gave remarks at the conclusion of the ceremony, welcoming graduates to the alumni community and encouraging them to remain a part of the powerful IWP network.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!