The Waldo Family Lecture Series on International Relations is a lecture series which takes place at

Old Dominion University Old Dominion University (Old Dominion or ODU) is a public research university in Norfolk, Virginia. It was established in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary and is now one of the largest universities in Virginia w ...

in Norfolk, Virginia. The university's first endowed lecture series was endowed by the Waldo family in 1985 to honor the memories of Loren Pierce Waldo, Jr., William Joseph Waldo, Robert Hendren Waldo, Susan Waldo O'Hara, Julia Ann Waldo Campbell, and Harry Creekmur Waldo. International Relations was chosen as the topic for the lecture series due to the University's proximity to the International Port of Hampton Roads and the presence in Norfolk of the world's largest naval installation. Beginning in 1987, guest speakers for the lectures have come from such diverse fields as government, public service, foreign affairs, and journalism. Lectures have had such themes as "The Future of the West in a Changing World," "Human Rights in the 21st Century" and "America in the World - All Tactics, No Strategy," and have discussed such issues as the shortage of doctors in third-world countries, the 2008 financial crisis, and the diminishing role of Congress in the United States.

Past speakers

* George S. McGovern (1987), Senator, U.S. Presidential Candidate (1972) * John B. Anderson (1988), U.S. Presidential Candidate (Independent Party, 1980), Congressman, Executive Director of Council for National Interest * Seymour M. Hersh (1989), Investigative Journalist, Pulitzer Prize Winner, Political Writer *

Thomas R. Pickering Thomas Reeve "Tom" Pickering (born November 5, 1931) is a retired United States ambassador. Among his many diplomatic appointments, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1989 to 1992. Early life and education Born in Orange, ...

(1991), Ambassador to the United Nations, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs * James R. Schlesinger (1994), Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy *

Mary Robinson Mary Therese Winifred Robinson ( ga, Máire Mhic Róibín; ; born 21 May 1944) is an Irish politician who was the 7th president of Ireland, serving from December 1990 to September 1997, the first woman to hold this office. Prior to her electi ...

(2006), President of Ireland, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights * John Warner (2008), U.S. Senator, Chair of Senate Armed Services Committee *

Zbigniew Brzezinski Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzeziński ( , ; March 28, 1928 – May 26, 2017), or Zbig, was a Polish-American diplomat and political scientist. He served as a counselor to President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1966 to 1968 and was President Jimmy Carter' ...

(2009), National Security Adviser (1977-1981), Bush National Security Advisory Task Force * Frederick Kempe (2010), President of Atlantic Council * R. Nicholas Burns (2013), Ambassador, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs * Colonel Jack H. Jacobs, U.S. Army, retired (2018), Medal of Honor recipient, military analyst for NBC and MSNBC, Vice-Chairman of Medal of Honor Foundation, U.S. Military Academy McDermott Chair of Politics.

References

{{Old Dominion University Old Dominion University University and college lecture series 1987 establishments in Virginia Recurring events established in 1987 International relations education