Mark Taplin received the inaugural Lois Roth Emeritus Award, on August 6, 2018, for his career of service in cultural and educational diplomacy abroad and his tours as a principled and courageous policy leader in the ECA Bureau. Through his willingness to communicate openly with colleagues, flexibility and strategic planning, Mark guided the ECA through existential budget threats, proving that the Bureau’s spirit of innovation, productivity and commitment to excellence can survive, and even thrive, in times of great stress. Now retired, Mark is known among his former colleagues for his profound leadership, sense of humor, elegant writing and speaking and his deep-rooted belief in the power and criticality of international exchange.
