John Carroll School Names David Sedney ’69 Recipient of Riepe Alumni Award

From The John Carroll School:

Bel Air, MD 21014: The John Carroll School announces that David S. Sedney, class of 1969, is the recipient of the Charles K. Riepe Alumni Award. Mr. Sedney exemplifies the four outcomes of a John Carroll Education: a strong sense of self, excellence in achievement of personal and professional aspirations, a moral compass, and a global perspective. Mr. Sedney demonstrates outstanding service to our country as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia. His role in managing defense relationships in this area is critical to achieving our national and global security interests. He has been recognized numerous times for his service to the Departments of State and Defense. He is a devoted father who has balanced his career objectives with family priorities. He is married to alumnae Diana Lynch Sedney, also of the class of 1969, and has three daughters.

The John Carroll School is proud to honor Mr. Sedney with this most prestigious award. The award is named in memory of the Rev. Charles K. Riepe, who served as the President, Principal, and Chaplain of The John Carroll School. He established John Carroll as a Catholic, independent school in 1971. The award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and community service. The winner shall be an exemplary role model consistent with the Catholic values and philosophy of The John Carroll School. This award is the highest honor that can be given to alumni of The John Carroll School. The award will be presented to Mr. Sedney on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the 2012 Commencement, and he will be the keynote speaker at the ceremonies.

Mr. Sedney has had a distinguished career with the U.S. government. He was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia from 2007-2009. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing from 2004-2007. Previously Mr. Sedney was Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan from 2003-2004, where he was Charge d’Affaires from August through November 2003. Mr. Sedney was also Deputy Chief of Mission in Kabul in 2002, after the re-opening of the Embassy. Mr. Sedney was Director for Afghanistan at the National Security Council (2003), Senior Advisor in the State Department’s Office of e-Diplomacy (2002), Senior Advisor to John Negroponte, United States Ambassador to the United Nations (2001-2002), Deputy Director of the State Department’s Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs (1999-2001), and Special Assistant to Stephen Sestanovich, Ambassador-at-Large and Special Representative for the Newly Independent States (1997-1998).

Earlier, Mr. Sedney served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan (1995-1997), Political-Military Officer at the United States Embassy in Beijing, China (1991-1994) and Political Officer, Refugee Officer and Consular Officer at the United States Embassy in Bucharest, Romania (1985-1987). He was a Watch Officer at the State Department’s Operations Center (1987-1988) and Duty Officer and Senior Duty Officer at the White House Situation Room (1988-1989).

Mr. Sedney is a graduate of Princeton University and Suffolk University School of Law. He attended Louisiana State University’s School of Law where he studied Law of the Sea and International Law. Mr. Sedney is a distinguished graduate of the National War College. He speaks Romanian, Mandarin Chinese and Azerbaijani. Mr. Sedney has received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service twice, the Department of State’s Superior Honor Award six times, and Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award twice.

About The John Carroll School:
The John Carroll School is a Catholic, independent, 9–12 secondary school in Bel Air, MD serving 700 young men and women. The John Carroll School provides a Catholic foundation of values, challenging academics, and real-life experiences, so that our students embrace opportunities and excel as responsible participants in a global society. For more information about The John Carroll School, please visit www.johncarroll.org.