During his semester in Washington D.C., Foley worked at the Internal Business-Government Counsellors (IBC), where his primary tasks centered around conducting research and helping his clients—large Fortune 500 companies—determine how new or changing laws would affect their business interests. One case Foley studied dealt with the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would expand free trade between the United States and the eleven other Pacific nations involved in the deal. After attending hearings about the case, Foley worked on research and answering companies’ questions about the partnership, and how it would affect their business endeavors.
Foley also used his time at IBC to “feel the pulse on different issues,” and attended hearings and speeches delivered by powerful political figures, including John Kerry and Felipe IV, King of Spain. One conference Foley attended sparked the idea for his thesis, which focuses on Iran’s Nuclear Deal. Even though much of Foley’s actual work at IBC did not center around the topic, his experiences there provided the context and details needed to craft his thesis.
During his presentation, Foley will discuss the economic implications of the Iran Nuclear Deal, and how certain countries, including Iraq, Russia and Sadia Arabia, are reacting to Iran’s entry into the global oil market. He will also focus on what will happen once Iran settles into an open market, along with geopolitical issues, such as oil production increases and ISIS threats.
“It’s one of the hot topics in Washington,” Foley says. “The most interesting part will be seeing the reactions of the other countries to Iran’s movements.”
While on campus, Foley works as an admissions greeter and a member of Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD). He also plays intermural basketball and serves as a member of the finance club.
The Vannicelli Prize is awarded each semester in honor of the late Holy Cross political science professor and Washington Semester director, Maurizio Vannicelli, for the best research paper produced in the Washington Semester program. The recipient of the award is given the opportunity to present a public lecture at the College on his or her thesis. In addition, the recipient receives a bound copy of the thesis and is presented the book award during commencement exercises.
About the Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J. Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture
Established in 2001 and housed in Smith Hall, the McFarland Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture provides resources for faculty and course development, sponsors conferences and college-wide teaching events, hosts visiting fellows, and coordinates a number of campus lecture series. Rooted in the College's commitment to invite conversation about basic human questions, the Center welcomes persons of all faiths and seeks to foster dialogue that acknowledges and respects differences, providing a forum for intellectual exchange that is interreligious, interdisciplinary, intercultural, and international in scope. The Center also brings members of the Holy Cross community into conversation with the Greater Worcester community, the academic community, and the wider world to examine the role of faith and inquiry in higher education and in the larger culture.
View the schedule of upcoming events and watch lectures online at holycross.edu/mcfarlandcenter.
Washington Semester Award Winner to Present Lecture on Iran’s Nuclear Deal
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