U.S. ex-Secretary of State selected as the 57th speaker for the Hanify-Howland Memorial
John Kerry to Speak at Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture on Geopolitics and Sustainability
The Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee has announced that the 57th annual guest speaker will be John Kerry, the 68th U.S. Secretary of State. Kerry, a distinguished public figure, is renowned for his extensive career in public service, political leadership, and advocacy on various global issues.
Throughout his career, Kerry has demonstrated a deep commitment to social justice and international order. He served in the Vietnam War and became a prominent spokesperson against the war, co-founding the Vietnam Veterans of America and Vietnam Veterans Against the War. His 1971 Senate testimony on the war brought him national attention.
Kerry's political career began in earnest when he unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House in 1972. He later earned a law degree from Boston College and worked as an assistant district attorney, known for prosecuting organized crime. Elected Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts in 1982, Kerry won a Senate seat in 1984 and was reelected three times.
As a U.S. Senator, Kerry was noted for his work on campaign finance reform, public education investment, deficit reduction, and foreign policy issues such as normalizing relations with Vietnam and investigating Iran-Contra. As chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (2009–2013), he influenced several major foreign policy efforts.
Kerry's advocacy for veterans was rooted in his own combat service and anti-war activism, emphasizing accountability and veterans' recognition. As Secretary of State (2013–2017), he helped negotiate the Iran nuclear agreement (2015) and led U.S. efforts on the Paris Agreement on climate change, which he signed on behalf of the U.S. He also engaged in peace talks, including efforts between Israel and Palestine.
Returning to public service as Special Envoy for Climate (2021–2024), Kerry worked on U.S. climate diplomacy under the Biden administration, emphasizing global climate initiatives. He has received multiple honorary degrees for his public service from prestigious universities and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, by President Biden in May 2024.
Kerry's lecture at the College will focus on geopolitics and sustainability, with a moderated Q&A session. The Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee is accepting questions from students and faculty in advance via email at [email protected].
Meanwhile, the 56th annual Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture speaker will be retired U.S. Navy four-star Admiral Michelle Howard. The exact date for her lecture is yet to be specified. Admiral Howard is known for her trailblazing career in the U.S. Navy, making significant contributions across her service.
The Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee nominates the speaker annually, with previous guests including Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of "The 1619 Project" and a staff writer at the New York Times Magazine.
[1] Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. (n.d.). John Kerry. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://bioguide.congress.gov/display/B000559
[2] The White House. (2013, February 1). John Kerry Sworn In as 68th U.S. Secretary of State. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2013/02/01/john-kerry-sworn-in-as-68th-u-s-secretary-of-state/
[3] The New York Times. (2023, July 18). John Kerry. Retrieved July 20, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/topic/person/john-kerry
- The upcoming Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture will feature John Kerry, a prominent figure in social justice advocacy, diplomacy, and education.
- Kerry's political career spans decades, including his service as the 68th U.S. Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017.
- In addition to his political leadership, Kerry has been active in the arts, championing educational programs that combine self-development with environmental science.
- Kerry's lecture on geopolitics and sustainability will be an opportunity for students and faculty to engage in a discussion about the intersection of politics, climate-change, and the environment.
- The Committee is accepting questions from the campus community for the Q&A session, which can be submitted via email.
- The Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee also hosts events centered around general news, war and conflicts, and other relevant issues.
- The campus news article will cover Kerry's lecture, as well as the announcement of retired U.S. Navy Admiral Michelle Howard as the 56th annual Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture speaker.
