Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) announces the debut of the “Pride of Indiana” lecture series on Tuesday, October 14 in the Columbus Learning Center Summerville Room. The inaugural speaker for the series will be the Hon. Lee H. Hamilton, member of the United States House of Representatives (9th Congressional District of Indiana) from 1965 to 1999 and currently a member of the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council. Mr. Hamilton is also the Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
According to Dr. Sandra Miles, IUPUC Director of Student Affairs, the purpose of the Pride of Indiana lecture series is to showcase influential leaders from Indiana who are making a positive impact in the world. “Through this series, IUPUC is furthering its commitment to bringing national and internationally acclaimed speakers to the Columbus area for the benefit of its students, neighbors, and community partners.” Miles also notes that Columbus and IUPUC are fortunate to have many talented individuals who call Indiana home.
In a recent address, President Obama paid tribute to Mr. Hamilton’s extraordinary leadership style and public service. According to Obama (2014), “Lee Hamilton is a quintessential Hoosier who first made his name on the basketball court.” Obama explained that Lee Hamilton “embodies what Americans want in their public servants: integrity, humility, intelligence, and a commitment to put the interests of our country before any partisan or personal agenda” (para. 6).
Mr. Hamilton will meet privately at 5 p.m. with IUPUC students. At 5:45 p.m. students, faculty, staff, and members of the community are invited to a question and answer session. Both sessions will focus on the impact that international terrorism has on American citizens and the United States, posing the question, “Are We Safer?” A public reception will follow.
Dr. Ryan Neville-Shepard, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, appreciates the opportunity to bridge in-class lessons with real world agents through this lecture series. “IUPUC is seeing a rise in the number of students interested in leadership and politics,” he noted, adding “and it is exciting to see them make connections with leaders and organizations in Columbus and beyond.”
There is no cost to attend and parking is free. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP via e-mail to baabrown@iupuc.edu.
This event is sponsored by the IUPUC Office of Student Affairs in collaboration with the IUPUC Communication Studies Program. The event is supported by the IUPUC Office of the Vice Chancellor & Dean, and the Community Education Coalition.
For more information on this and other IUPUC events, visit iupuc.edu.
Obama, B. (2014, July 22). President Obama hails “extraordinary leadership” of Hamilton, Kean. The Center on Congress at Indiana University. Retrieved September 11, 2014 from http://congress.indiana.edu/president-obama-hails-%E2%80%9Cextraordinary-leadership%E2%80%9D-hamilton-kean