10/02/17
HAYS, Kan. - Tickets are now available for the inaugural Presidential Speaker Series at Fort Hays State University, which will spotlight three experts in U.S. domestic and international security.

"The US Military's Role in Global Security" is set for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 9, at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall.

The event is free. However, those interested in attending are encouraged to secure their ticket soon because of an expected large crowd. Tickets are available for pickup at the Student Service Center in the FHSU Memorial Union and at the Hays Welcome Center, 2700 Vine.

The Presidential Speaker Series is an annual event designed to bring today's top thought leaders to share their knowledge and expertise on national and world events with the Hays community.

Cdr. Kirk Lippold (U.S. Navy), Gen. Barry McCaffrey (U.S. Army) and Gen. Peter Pace (U.S. Marine Corps) - who feature nearly 100 years of combined military service among them - will form the panel.

About Cdr. Kirk Lippold - Lippold retired from the U.S Navy in 2007 after 26 years of service. He was commanding officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen, in 2000. During his command, Lippold and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American war ship from sinking. This event is widely recognized as one of the most brazen acts of terrorism by al Qaeda prior to September 11, 2001.

Lippold's personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal and Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), in addition to various campaign and service ribbons. Lippold now serves as a global security expert for many major news networks.

About Gen. Barry McCaffrey - McCaffrey served in the U.S. Army for 32 years and retired as a four-star general. At retirement, he was the most highly decorated serving general, having been awarded three Purple Heart medals (wounded in combat three times), two Distinguished Service Crosses (the nation's second highest award for valor) and two Silver Stars for valor.

For five years after leaving the military, McCaffrey served as the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Upon leaving government service, he served as the Bradley Distinguished Professor of International Security Studies from 2001-05 and as an adjunct professor of International Security Studies from 2006-10 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

McCaffrey is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Inter-American Dialogue. He currently serves as a national security and terrorism analyst for NBC News and is president of his own consulting firm based in Alexandria, Va.

About Gen. Peter Pace - Pace retired from active duty on Oct. 1, 2007, after more than 40 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Pace was sworn in as 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2005. In this capacity, he served as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council. Prior to becoming Chairman, Pace served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He holds the distinction of being the first Marine to have served in either of these positions.

In June 2008, Pace was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor a President can bestow. He is a member of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Senior Advisory Group, and has served on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, and the Secretary of Defense's Defense Policy Board. He also served as leader-in-residence and the Poling Chair of Business and Government for the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Pace is a Distinguished Visiting Research Scholar for Fordham University and an adjunct faculty member of Georgetown University. He is associated with a number of charities focused on supporting the troops and their families.

Cutline: (Left to right), Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Cdr. Kirk Lippold, Gen. Peter Pace