DR. MONIQUE SEEFRIED APPOINTED TO WORLD WAR ONE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE APPOINTS DR. MONIQUE SEEFRIED

TO U.S. WORLD WAR ONE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, July14, 2014 The Hon. John Boehner (R-Ohio), Speaker of the House, appointed Monique Seefried, Ph.D., to the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission in July, 2014.

As president of the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial Foundation for the last decade, Dr. Seefried oversaw the private purchase of a World War I battlefield in France, and commissioned one of the best sculptors in England to create a memorial statue to the US 42nd (Rainbow) Division. She also served as chairman of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Board of Governors from 2003-2009. Prior to that, she founded and served as Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE) in Atlanta, on whose board she still serves. She also serves on the board of the United World College in New Mexico.

Between 1982 and 2002, she was Curator of Near Eastern Art at the Carlos Museum of Emory University and taught courses on Ancient Archaeology and Islamic Art in the University's Art History Department. Dr. Seefried has been a regular pro bono lecturer on art and archaeology topics as well as on international education and, more recently, on World War I, its causes and its consequences.

Born a French citizen in Tunisia, Dr. Seefried became a U.S. citizen in 1985. After a classical (Latin/Greek) secondary education, she did her undergraduate and graduate studies in History at the Sorbonne University in Paris, from where she also holds her Ph.D.

In 2005, the French Government made her a "chevalier" in the Order of the Academic Palms, and in 2009 in the Order of Merit.

“The Commission was delighted to learn of the appointment of Dr. Seefried,” Acting Chairman Robert J. Dalessandro said. “As a longtime advocate for education of a new generation on this pivotal moment in American history, Monique brings unique skills and an energetic approach to the Commission’s work.”

The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission was established by the World War I Centennial Commission Act, part of Public Law 112-272 passed by the 112th Congress and signed by President Obama on January 16, 2013.

The Commission is responsible for planning, developing, and executing programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I; encouraging private organizations and State and local governments to organize and participate in activities commemorating the centennial of World War I; facilitating and coordinating activities throughout the United States relating to the centennial of World War I; serving as a clearinghouse for the collection and dissemination of information about events and plans for the centennial of World War I; and developing recommendations for Congress and the President for commemorating the centennial of World War I.