Students in the Jackson School of International Studies (JSIS) will dine on steak and prawns tonight as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of Task Force, a culminating project required for graduating seniors in the international studies program.

Groups of about 15 students wrote policy-oriented papers focusing on topics such as climate change, America’s foreign policy and the oil trade industry. The final papers averaged about 300 double-spaced pages in length.

“Surveys of our graduates always say this is the most exciting thing they did at UW,” said David Bachman, a Jackson School professor.

This year, 114 students participated in seven different Task Force classes. In addition to these students, all former students are invited to attend the anniversary dinner.

“The response has been pretty overwhelming,” said Toni Read, assistant to the director of the JSIS. “We’ve got about 400 people coming. We have people flying in from all over to attend.”

Among those attending will be Washington state Attorney General Rob McKenna, a graduate of the JSIS, and former Washington state Gov. Gary Locke. They will serve as master of ceremonies and keynote speaker, respectively.

Students in each Task Force had a chance to present their final policy documents to experts in various policy-related fields. Although the students are not graded, evaluators offer feedback and pose critical questions to the students.

“The whole experience is just as gratifying for the evaluators as it is for the students,” Read said.

UW President Mark Emmert evaluated a Task Force whose students presented their policy report on “Responsible Apparel Purchasing.” These students had the unique opportunity to travel with a UW professor to Guatemala to investigate the garment industry’s use of sweatshop labor.

The presentations are often very stressful for students.

“Students get very nervous,” Bachman said.

Prestigious policymakers like Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, a former director of the CIA, have served as evaluators for past Task Forces.

“Frequently the evaluators themselves will take the Task Force recommendations back with them,” Read said.

This year’s celebration will be much larger than normal because of the 25th anniversary festivities. The event will be held in the HUB Ballroom.

Many past students are expected to attend, including six who worked on the inaugural Task Force project in 1983.

[Reach reporter Andrew Doughman at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]