U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will deliver the keynote address at the Sept. 30 kickoff for the Wilson School's 75th anniversary celebrations, according to an email sent to the school's undergraduate students Tuesday afternoon.
In an interview, however, Wilson School spokesman Steven Barnes emphasized that Rice has only been invited to the deliver the address and that the University has not yet received official confirmation that she will speak.
The email to Wilson School undergraduates from their program coordinator, which invited them to sign up for tickets to the event, said in part, "This will be a spectacular event and I hope each of you will all take advantage of this wonderful opportunity."
It is unclear why the email did not clarify that Rice has yet to accept the University's invitation.
Barnes said University officials have not decided how many undergraduate students will be permitted to attend the event if Rice does accept. Jadwin Gymnasium, where the event is slated to occur, seats at least 3,500.
If Rice were to accept the invitation, she would be the third current or former U.S. Secretary of State to speak at Princeton in two years.
In February 2004, Rice's predecessor, Colin Powell, delivered the keynote address at a conference celebrating the 100th birthday of George F. Kennan '25. While on campus, Powell also accepted the inaugural Crystal Tiger Award, given on behalf of the undergraduate student body to a person who has had a "transformative impact on the world," according to the student committee that developed the award.
In November 2004, George Shultz '42, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan, delivered an address and accepted the Whig-Cliosophic Society's James Madison Award for Distinguished Public Service.
Both Powell and Shultz delivered speeches in support of President Bush's foreign policy.
Other events scheduled for the Wilson School's 75th anniversary kickoff celebration include a panel discussion on longterm U.S. national security and a mock National Security Council meeting assessing the implications of the collapse of a nuclear regime — in this case, Pakistan.
Events celebrating the Wilson School's anniversary will continue throughout the year.
Read More
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
Effort to restore chapel’s pews slowly progresses
Ben GoldstonHead carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Head carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Metals, molecules, and medicine: chemical biology’s influence on health and sustainability
Aanya KaseraChemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.
Chemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.