Speakers

A key component of the Patterson School experience is our rich speaker and visitors program. Policymakers, professors, corporate officials, and political activists - from the United States and abroad - are brought to campus not only to speak, but also to actually meet our students. Often guest speakers make two presentations: a major session open to the public and another (frequently off the record) small event with just Patterson School students. 

A signature event is the Patterson School's Vince Davis Lecture. This brings to Lexington leading policymakers and scholars working at the forefront of foreign and security policy. Recent Vince Davis honorees include Noel Nelson Messone, a Patterson School graduate and Gabon's permanent representative to the United Nations,former acting Director of Central Intelligence John McLaughlin, diplomatic historian George C. Herring and Admiral Mike Mullen, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Former Director of Central Intelligence Admiral Stansfield Turner presented the inaugural Davis lecture in 2003.

On the economic side, the Spragens Family International Banking Lecture recently showcased Swiss economist and former Davos executive Thierry Malleret. Earlier Spragens speakers include Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris, UBS Chief Investment Strategist Mike Ryan, and Andreas Prindl, CBE (Deputy Chairman of British insurance giant Lloyds). The inaugural Spragens lecture was given in 2009 by professor and former Federal Reserve Bank official Donald Mullineaux.

In addition to Patterson School events, many notable guests to the University of Kentucky and this area give major addresses on political and international themes. Recent examples include a review of China policy with former Ambassador and presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, discussions with US Supreme Court Associate Justices Elena Kagan and Clarence Thomas, a roundtable with the then current and two former Speakers of the House John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, and Denny Hastert; the visit of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi; former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian activist Hanan Ashrawi; former Indian President Abdul Kalam.

Finally, the Patterson School's close relationships with the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, the Kentucky World Trade Center, the University of Louisville's Center for Asian Democracy, and the McConnell Center provide students with additional opportunities for professional engagement and growth.