Documentary Reflects on the Legacy of former Gov. Michael Dukakis

top to bottom: Maria Ivanova, Michael Dukakis, and Ted Landmark; Jeff Schmidt and Erin Trahan; Chris Bosso, Juan Gallego, Rob DeLeo, and Sarah Stanton

Former Massachusetts governor, presidential candidate, and retired Northeastern University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science Michael Dukakis was the guest of honor at a March 11 screening, co-sponsored by Northeastern University’s Policy School and Department of Political Science, of the documentary “Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy.” Profs. Chris Bosso and John Portz moderated the event.

Directed and produced by Jeff Schmidt and Erin Trahan, the 28-minute documentary takes viewers on a journey along Dukakis’s long arc of leadership, reflecting on his formative years as the son of Greek immigrants and catching up with Massachusetts’ longest-serving governor three decades after he ran for the presidency. It shows him still an entrenched public servant as he mentors budding leaders as a Northeastern professor, chairs a commission to connect Boston’s North and South rail stations, and influences a crop of new public servants, who are carrying Dukakis’ legacy forward.

Following the screening, three former Northeastern students of Gov. Dukakis reflected on his influence on their professional and personal lives. Sarah Stanton ’11 (MPA), who currently serves as Undersecretary of Economic Strategies – MA Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Juan Gallego ’19 (BS Political Science), who currently serves as Associate Deputy Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, and Rob DeLeo ‘13 (PhD Political Science), who currently serves as an Associate Professor of Global Studies at Bentley University, offered anecdotes that illustrated the impact of Gov. Dukakis’s integrity, humility, and commitment to public service.

“Democracy is a work in progress,” says Gov. Dukakis in the documentary, “a precious gift that needs constant nurturing.” Amidst unprecedented uncertainty in American politics, “Dukakis” offers a reason to pause, take stock in the past, and look forward with renewed faith in what’s possible when people believe in democracy, and each other.