Scholar alumna sworn in as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
1/22/2008
Mary Beth Long, who graduated with honors from Penn State in 1985, was sworn in as the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs on December 21 during a ceremony at the Pentagon. She is the first woman to be sworn into an assistant secretary position in the policy organization.
Long said she was honored to be appointed by President Bush to this position.
"I feel privileged to have been selected by the President for this appointment, and I am grateful for the secretary's confidence in my ability to serve in this position," she said. "I look forward to serving the men and women of our great military and the Defense Department."
Prior to her confirmation, Long served as the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs and the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs. She also served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for counter narcotics. Long has also worked for the Central Intelligence Agency and practiced law with Williams and Connolly LLP. A graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law, she received her bachelor's degree in Communications from Penn State and was a University Scholar.
Long received the Schreyer Honors College's inaugural Outstanding Scholar Alumna Award in 2006. She currently serves on the college's External Advisory Board.
