When Matthew Schlapp '98 learned that the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs had selected him as the 2004 recipient of its Alumni Award for Outstanding Public Service, there was no question that he was going to make time to return to campus. "Even though every day around here is pretty busy," he remarks, "this was too special to miss."
And "busy" doesn't begin to describe his life these days; for starters, Schlapp is deputy assistant to President George W. Bush and director of political affairs, working under Karl Rove at the White House. Second, having met in the early days of the new administration and married, Schlapp and wife Mercedes now have a 1-year-old daughter, Viana.
Everything considered — "Especially since this is an election year," says Schlapp — things are moving at warp speed for him. Looking ahead, he decided that receiving the alumni award provided a golden opportunity to visit his alma mater and his family in Wichita.
Named for the respected, even beloved, professor who established WSU's program in urban and public affairs, the school held its annual Hugo Wall Day celebrating public service on May 7. Events included recognition of the soon-to-be graduating class and a keynote address by Schlapp. "Of course I spoke about the importance of public service and how the master's of public administration degree has positively affected my career path," he comments, "but I also pointed out that the Hugo Wall School provides great preparation for lots of careers in the real world."
Connecting once again with his former professors and mentors was an additional pleasure for him. "On the whole, I'd say what we enjoyed most," he remembers, "was talking about how elective politics are crucial to the political process. Notable conversations always involve politics."
In fact, public service in the political arena is a veritable calling for the Schlapp family. Mother Sue currently represents District 2 on the Wichita City Council. Brother Andrew '92, who also earned the MPA from the Hugo Wall School, is director of community relations for the Sedgwick County manager's office. And Schlapp's wife, Mercedes Viana, is director of specialty media for the White House Office of Media Affairs.
"When C-Span hit the airwaves back in 1979," Andy Schlapp says, "it not only changed 'politics as usual' but also turned Matt into a political junkie." As an undergraduate at Notre Dame majoring in government and business, Matt became a political activist. He founded and served as editor-in-chief of Dialogue, a publication of political commentary; co-chaired Students for Bush/Quayle in 1988; organized voter registration drives; and hosted a visit to campus by George H.W. Bush.
After Matt graduated, it was Andy who suggested he look into the MPA program at Wichita State, and Matt again found himself combining coursework with politics. In 1994, he was involved in the campaign that sent Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) to the House of Representatives. "I served as his chief of staff in Washington," Schlapp says. "It was an honor working for such a dynamic and decent man." He not only managed Tiahrt's re-election campaigns thereafter but also managed to finish up the MPA in 1998.
Schlapp first popped up on the national radar screen in 2000, when he served as a regional political director for the Bush/Cheney campaign. Then, in the post-election confusion in Florida, he quickly moved to organize campaign supporters during the recount. That successful action caught the eye of George W. Bush, who soon afterwards appointed Schlapp to the post of special assistant to the president and deputy director of political affairs, and in 2003, Schlapp was promoted to his current position.
"It's been exciting to watch Matt's work at the federal level for both Tiahrt and President Bush," comments Eric Sexton '87/92, WSU's director of governmental relations. "The MPA program prepared him well for his duties in Washington." And brother Andy agrees: "Matt has a true calling to make people's lives better, and working at the national level is a great place to do just that." It's a family thing.
