(2010-0767-F) White House Fellows

The materials in FOIA 2010-0767-F are a selective, not necessarily all inclusive, body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. This collection is very closely related to FOIA 2010-0769-F. Researchers should consult the archivist about related materials. The White House Fellowship Program began in 1964, with the creation of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. Largely the idea of John Gardner, President of the Carnegie Corporation, the program was created by Executive Order 11183 signed by President Lyndon Johnson on October 3, 1964. Johnson’s order read, “It is in the National interest that our future leaders in all walks of life have opportunities to observe firsthand the important and challenging tasks of America government.” Gardner envisioned a program where men and women from the United States could serve at the highest levels of government. His hope was that they would then take their experience back to their communities and increase civic engagement on a local, state, and national level.  Eleven to nineteen fellows are selected each year from over 1,000 applicants. These fellows serve for one year as full-time employees of the Federal Government; typically working within the Executive Branch. There is no requirement for age, education, or profession. However, no member of the Federal government may serve with the exception of career military. Through working within the executive branch these fellows have intimate contact with leaders at the highest levels of government and often travel with senior leaders of the administration. In 1994, the program celebrated its thirtieth year. During that thirty year period there have been over 400 White House Fellows. Many well respected and well known American leaders have participated in the White House Fellows Program. These include: Robert Haas, Dana Mead, Julia Taft, Henry Cisneros, Colin Powell, Dennis Blair, Mary Schiavo, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and a host of other business and government leaders. To date, the program has had more than 625 Fellows. The 2010-2011 class of thirteen was named by President Barack Obama on June 22, 2010. Responsive records were found primarily in two White House Office of Records Management (WHORM) subject areas: FG233, President’s Commission on White House Fellowships and PE010, Personnel Management-Training and Orientation. These records are largely concerned with the selection of Commission members, National finalists and the daily operation of the White House Fellowship program.