Edward M. Kennedy Institute Welcomes Frank Fahrenkopf, Jr. to Board of Directors

 

Currently serves as co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates

 

 October 29, 2024 (Boston, MA) – The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate today announced the addition of Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. to an expanding bipartisan board of directors which includes eight former U.S. Senators and two former U.S. Congressmen.  As the longest serving chairman of the Republican party in the 20^th century, Mr. Fahrenkopf served in that role during six of the eight years President Reagan was in office and led two successful presidential campaigns. He is presently the co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates which he co-founded in 1986 with Democratic National Committee chairman Senator Paul Kirk.

“As we approach our 10th anniversary in 2025, the Institute is focused on expanding our board with a bipartisan group of exceedingly talented and respected individuals like Mr. Fahrenkopf. We’re pleased he is joining our board at this time, and we know his background in the political, corporate, and academic worlds will help propel our mission forward,” said Kennedy Institute CEO Adam Hinds.

Fahrenkopf currently sits on the board of eleven NYSE public companies, and his civic involvement includes service as a member of the board of trustees of the E.L. Wiegand Foundation and of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Foundation. He is also a trustee of the Culinary Institute of America and founding member of the International Republican Institute. Fahrenkopf is formerly a member of the Advisory Board of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and previously served as the Vice Chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy.

Bruce A. Percelay, chair of the Kennedy Institute Board of Directors said, “Frank understands the role of civic engagement and bipartisan compromise better than anyone. He recognizes that in order for our system of government to work, both parties need to work together.”

Fahrenkopf joins the Kennedy Institute at an important time in advancing its mission to educate the public about the unique role of the Senate in our government and promoting civil discourse and bipartisan solutions to our nation’s challenges.

This past year, the Kennedy Institute launched a new “Senate Immersion Module” for K-12 students focused on AI regulation, collaborated with the Bipartisan Policy Center and Orrin G. Hatch Foundation on our fifth debate of our The Senate Project series with Senators Cassidy and Whitehouse, and launched a joint “Bolstering Elections” initiative with the Robert J. Dole Institute focused on promoting investment in American electoral administration and processes.

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About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United State Senate

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate actively inspires all Americans to keep our democracy and civic life vibrant, educate the public about the unique role of the Senate in our government, and promote civil discourse to drive bipartisan solutions for our nation’s challenges. Through educational programs, public forums, and digital exhibits, the Kennedy Institute welcomes individuals of all ages to debate the issues of the day, learn from each other, and leave empowered to make their own contributions to improving their communities.