February 18 — Colin Powell speaks about “Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values”
With the exceptions of the people of Iraq and America’s diplomatic and military standing int he world, the greatest casualty of US foreign policy in the past seven years was Colin Powell’s credibility. Hear how he is working to restore it at Butler University.
When: Monday, February 18 7:30 PM
Where: Butler University, Clowes Memorial Hall
Tickets for this 20th anniversary of Butler University’s Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series will be distributed to Butler students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Clowes Hall Box Office. Any tickets that remain will be offered to the general public on a date to be announced.
For this blurb, Butler’s press release will suffice:
Powell became the 65th Secretary of State on Jan. 20, 2001. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure was that “America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world.”
Before becoming Secretary of State, he served as a key aide to the secretary of defense and as national security advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993). During this time he oversaw 28 crises, including the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War.
“As a soldier, statesman, scholar, youth advocate, and devoted family man, Gen. Powell has earned the admiration and respect of the global community. As a visionary champion for freedom, liberty, unity and democracy, he embodies the principles that encourage global diversity and inclusion,” said Valerie Davidson, Butler’s director of diversity programs. “As Butler University celebrates the 20th anniversary of this innovative and invaluable dialogue on diversity, I could not imagine a more distinguished and eloquent world leader to move the series into a new era.”
The Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series was developed to provide the Butler and greater Indianapolis community increased interaction with outstanding dignitaries and scholars through short-term campus visits. The first speaker was Dr. Maya Angelou, on Feb. 4, 1988. (She returned to campus Aug. 21, 1989.)
The series has brought academicians, civil- and human-rights activists, government officials, entertainers, poets and authors to campus. The list includes former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, civil-rights leader Coretta Scott King and filmmaker Spike Lee.
In 2002, the Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series became a Collaborative Diversity Initiative between Butler University and the Office of the Mayor, City of Indianapolis. The mission and purpose of this partnership is to support the mayor’s commitment to race relations within the Indianapolis community and combine efforts to develop a sense of awareness and understanding of differences and similarities among people of different races through increased dialogue and cultural interaction.
The series receives generous support from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Vectren Corporation, Allison Transmission General Motors, Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, Indianapolis Power & Light Company, Comcast, Duke Realty Corporation, Radio One, Univision, The Columbia Club and The Westin Indianapolis.
“For the past 20 years, the Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series has strengthened Butler University’s position as a catalyst between academy and community, providing an essential foundation for public discourse, multicultural education and awareness,” Davidson said. “As issues of race and diversity permeate all facets of life, improved race relations can only occur when individuals of diverse racial and ethnic heritage accept and share the responsibility for dismantling barriers to diversity and multicultural interaction.”
If this sounds like an interesting event, check out … Some of the Great Decisions topics this spring will cover similar topics. The speakers may not be as well known as Colin Powell, but they bring their own views, which sometimes are even more insightful. Gen. Carol Mutter will discuss US defense and security policy March 4, as will Charles Winslow on February 20. David Albright talks about talking to our enemies on February 19, Sheila Kennedy addresses the same topic February 6.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
[…] was Colin Powell’s credibility. Hear how he is working to restore it at Butler University. check it out February 19 — “Talking to our enemies” How the U.S. deals with international […]