After 23 years of service, Rita E. Hauser was honored this week during a ceremony at the International Peace Institute after stepping aside as IPI Chair of the Board. Professor Michael W. Doyle, Director of Columbia University’s Global Policy Initiative, became interim chair. Dr. Hauser expressed her gratitude to the assembled IPI staff in front of the IPI’s library on the 4th floor, which was dedicated to her.

During his remarks, IPI President Terje Rød-Larsen lauded Dr. Hauser for her dedication to peace and security, and to IPI. Playing off one of Dr. Hauser’s oft-repeated remarks about the organization as “the little mouse that roared,” Mr. Rød-Larsen noted that, during her tenure, IPI has grown to be more of a lion, with 50 staff in three offices.

In his brief remarks, Professor Doyle added that he admired Dr. Hauser’s leadership and for being what he called the “queen of tough love.” Dr. Hauser remains deeply involved in Middle East affairs and civil society including through the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University.