William & Mary Chancellor Robert M. Gates ’65, L.H.D. ’98 will discuss “Crucibles of Leadership: U.S. Foreign Policy Past, Present and Future” at the Sadler Center’s Commonwealth Auditorium Thursday.
The event, which begins at 8 p.m., is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and seating will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Overflow seating will also be available.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), will also be in attendance.
Gates, a former U.S. secretary of defense and CIA director, will discuss his personal journey as a public servant, learning from the past to shape present-day foreign policy and the future of U.S. leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Samantha Custer, director of policy analysis for AidData at W&M’s Global Research Institute, will moderate the discussion. William & Mary President Katherine A. Rowe will introduce the talk.
Gates will be visiting William & Mary next week to participate in the university’s annual Charter Day ceremony, which celebrates the founding of the university in 1693.
At last year’s ceremony, Gates was re-invested as the university’s 24th chancellor, a role he has held since 2012. This year’s ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. in Kaplan Arena.
A history major at W&M, Gates went on to a long career in public service.
In addition to leading the CIA and defense department, Gates also led Texas A&M as its president. He is currently a partner with the consulting firm Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC.
Throughout his career, he has remained closely connected to the university.
As chancellor, he participates in W&M’s largest traditions and often participates in other special events. He received an honorary degree from the university in 1998 and an Alumni Medallion in 2000.
