Tommy Vietor, who has served as National Security Spokesman and Assistant White House Press Secretary, will visit Central College to share about global citizenship as the Gaard scholar-in-residence Oct. 8-10.
Central College will host its first scholar-in-residence through the Thomas J. and Charlene P. Gaard Endowed Residency in the Liberal Arts Oct. 8-10, Tommy Vietor will discuss the importance of global citizenship. Vietor’s 7 p.m. address on Oct. 9 will be open to the public in the Cox-Snow Recital Hall.
Vietor served President Barack Obama as a spokesperson for nearly a decade, including two years as National Security Spokesman and two years as Assistant White House Press Secretary. In these roles, Vietor served as a primary contact for the media on foreign policy, national security, education and labor issues, and he was named one of the top ten communicators of 2014 by Campaigns and Elections magazine.
Andrew Green, professor of political science, said Vietor’s residency will allow Central students and guests to benefit from his expertise in campaigning and governing at the highest levels. “For our students thinking about careers in politics or public service,” Green said, “the opportunity to hear from Tommy Vietor will provide insight into major political campaigns, public policy issues and how elected officials and civil servants work to serve the public.”
During his visit, Vietor will visit several Central classes and meet with various student groups. He will also speak at the Intersections convocation on Oct. 9.
Vietor was invited this semester because of his connection to Central’s yearlong theme, global citizenship, as the College celebrates the 50th anniversary of its study abroad programs. The Gaard Residency will continue to bring notable scholars to Central each semester for multi-day visits, where they will interact with students and Pella area communities.
Thomas J. and Charlene P. Gaard Endowed Residency in the Liberal Arts is a signature residency that allows Central College to host notable visitors on campus in multi-day residencies interacting with students and the wider campus and community. These integrated learning opportunities for faculty and students reflect the liberal arts emphasis of the college, enhance the overall education received by students and make it possible for participants to engage in meaningful and up-close exchanges with known experts over an extended period.