Former U.S. ambassadors to discuss foreign policy challenges at UF

February 9, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three former U.S. ambassadors will visit Gainesville Feb. 12 to share their views on the challenges and opportunities facing America abroad.

Ray Mabus, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia and former governor of Mississippi; Douglas McElhaney, former ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Frank McNeil, former ambassador to Costa Rica, will speak on “Diplomacy in Transition” at 7 p.m. in the Ocora at Pugh Hall.

The event is presented by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and is the first event in the 2009 Presidential Lecture Series “Transition to Power.” The discussion will be moderated by Paul D’Anieri, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The free event is open to the public. Advance tickets may be obtained at the Graham Center office, Pugh Hall Room 220, or at Pugh Hall’s main entrance the night of the event.

“We are very pleased to have such a knowledgeable and experienced group for this event,” said Mike Bowen, assistant director of the Graham Center. “As the new administration begins, America’s place in the world is obviously an area of great concern. Our bipartisan panel will give us their assessment of our diplomatic situation in their regional areas of expertise and overall.”

The 2009 Presidential Lecture Series is funded with generous contributions from Ron Ansin and Kaplan Higher Education. The series continues March 5 when former Sens. Bob Graham, D-Fla., and Jim Talent, R-Mo., will discuss their work on the Committee for the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction.

The Graham Center for Public Service provides students with opportunities to train for future leadership positions, meet policymakers and take courses in critical thinking, language learning and studies of world cultures. For more information, please contact Bowen at 352-273-1080 or at mbowen@ufl.edu.