Thursday, April 30, 2009

Condoleezza Rice
United States Secretary of State

Condoleezza Rice, Ph.D., is considered one of the most influential and powerful people in the world. As the 66th Secretary of State of the United States (2005 to 2009) and President George W. Bush’s national security advisor (2001 to 2005), Rice pioneered a policy of transformational diplomacy. Her international relationships helped form new global governments based on democratic principles.

Prior to her prominent role in worldwide affairs, Rice taught at Stanford University and the Hoover Institution. She gained the respect of faculty and students as an expert in Soviet and Eastern European Affairs. Her commitment to education led to two of the highest teaching honors: the 1984 Walter J. Gores Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 1993 School of Humanities and Sciences Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Today she serves as the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution and as a professor of political science at Stanford University. Rice, who earned her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver, is not a stranger to our area. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1975.

The Club is honored to bring Rice back to our region to share the compelling stories of her experiences with global leaders and the tumultuous events that have shaped our political landscape.

There are a few meeting format changes that evening:

  • No recording devices will be permitted.
  • You may take still photography (no flash). Mainstage members may take photos during the question and answer session in the auditorium. Dinner members may take photos during the first three minutes of Secretary Rice’s speech.
  • Pre-submit your questions for Secretary Rice by April 27 to
    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (you may click the e-mail address to the left or send your e-mail to that address) or write us at or Perry Ballard Incorporated, P.O. Box 240, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Secretary Rice will not take questions from the floor. Questions will be chosen from those submitted in advance.

We have appreciated our Club members’ and local media’s respect for our guests’ wishes in the past and know that you will graciously honor hers as well.

Location

Mendel Center, Lake Michigan College
2755 East Napier, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
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Dinner Members

Doors open 5 p.m.
Dinner: 6:15 p.m.
Speaker introduction: 7:20 p.m.

Mainstage Members

Doors open 6 p.m. for social hour  
Mainstage speaker introduction: 6:55 p.m.  
Main presentation speaker introduction: 7:20 p.m.