Tuesday, November 5, 2024

W&M Chancellor Gates ’65 to discuss current political affairs

W&M Chancellor Robert M. Gates '65, L.H.D. '98, joined President Taylor Reveley on Feb. 9, 2017, in Phi Beta Kappa Hall to discuss world issues. The two will host a similar discussion on Feb. 8, 2018. (Courtesy photo/Skip Rowland '83)
W&M Chancellor Robert M. Gates ’65, L.H.D. ’98, joined President Taylor Reveley on Feb. 9, 2017, in Phi Beta Kappa Hall to discuss world issues. The two will host a similar discussion on Feb. 8, 2018. (Courtesy photo/Skip Rowland ’83)

William & Mary Chancellor and former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates ’65, L.H.D. ’98 will discuss the state of political affairs at a public event next week.

W&M President Taylor Reveley will join Gates for the discussion, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Feb. 8 in the Sadler Center’s Commonwealth Auditorium. Gates will also answer questions from the audience, which may be submitted in advance online. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. for the free event, which is expected to conclude by 9 p.m.

Gates, who graduated from the university with a degree in history, worked in the intelligence community for more than two decades, eventually becoming director of the Central Intelligence Agency. He later served as the president of Texas A&M University before becoming secretary of defense under President George W. Bush. He continued to serve in that position under President Barack Obama, becoming the only SECDEF in history to serve under presidents of different political parties.

Gates was invested as W&M’s 24th chancellor in 2012. He is the first alumnus in modern history to serve in the honorary role. Throughout his tenure, he has visited the university many times, speaking at university-wide ceremonies such as Commencement and hosting discussions on various topics.

This will be the second year that Gates has participated in such a discussion with Reveley at the university in advance of W&M’s Charter Day weekend. Virginia Governor Robert Northam will be the keynote speaker at the university’s Charter Day ceremony Feb. 9.

Sarah Fearing
Sarah Fearing
Sarah Fearing is the Assistant Editor at WYDaily. Sarah was born in the state of Maine, grew up along the coast, and attended college at the University of Maine at Orono. Sarah left Maine in October 2015 when she was offered a job at a newspaper in West Point, Va. Courts, crime, public safety and civil rights are among Sarah’s favorite topics to cover. She currently covers those topics in Williamsburg, James City County and York County. Sarah has been recognized by other news organizations, state agencies and civic groups for her coverage of a failing fire-rescue system, an aging agriculture industry and lack of oversight in horse rescue groups. In her free time, Sarah enjoys lazing around with her two cats, Salazar and Ruth, drinking copious amounts of coffee and driving places in her white truck.

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