McCourt School leverages $225K gift to advance diversity of thought in policy

Georgetown alums Brooke Brogan (S’19) and F.B. “Fritz” Brogan III (C’07, L’10) made a $225,000 gift to the McCourt School of Public Policy to support inclusivity at Georgetown and diversity of thought in policy. The Brogans’ gift will establish a new professorship and programming to promote understanding and foster inclusion, including events with leading scholars and thought leaders.

Fritz is the co-founder and managing partner of Mission Group, which owns six of the largest restaurants and bars in Washington, DC. Before entering business, he served a variety of roles in government and politics, including serving as deputy chief of staff to then-governor and current U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), finance chair of Build Our Future PAC and chairman of Maverick PAC. 

The Brogans’ professorship will be held by economist Michael Strain , director of Economic Policy Studies and the Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). His research and writing span a wide range of areas, including labor markets, public finance, social policy and macroeconomics, and his articles have been published in leading academic and policy journals.

“We know the Georgetown community will benefit from the thoughtful scholarship of Michael Strain and other AEI scholars,” said Brooke Brogan. 

“I am honored to join the intellectual community at the McCourt School and look forward to providing students opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives and develop the knowledge and skills to support productive dialogue,” said Strain.

This fall, the McCourt School will introduce “Free Exchange with Michael Strain,” a new event series that welcomes policy leaders and experts to share their perspectives and engage in constructive dialogue on a wide range of policy issues.

“Georgetown’s Catholic and Jesuit tradition provides a framework for the free exchange of ideas and allows students to embrace changing times while staying true to core values,” said Fritz Brogan.

In an increasingly divided society, Brooke and Fritz hope to provide students with more opportunities for thoughtful community dialogue on the pressing issues of today.

“As the McCourt School expands its footprint to an incredible new campus downtown under the leadership of Dean Cancian , we are excited to help the next generation of students find their voice by engaging with fellow students and faculty with differing viewpoints,” said Fritz Brogan.

“As the McCourt School moves downtown, we know this gift will help further the reach of the new campus,” added Brooke Brogan. 

Learn more about the McCourt School’s commitment to inclusion here .