Monday, January 26, 2015

Senior Political Analyst David Gergen to Speak at Widener


David Gergen, who served as an adviser to four U.S. presidents, will speak at Widener on February 9.

Senior Political Analyst David Gergen, who served as an adviser to four U.S. presidents of both parties, will speak at Widener University at 1 p.m. Monday, February 9 in the University Center Webb Room. The event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To reserve seating, call 610-499-4112 or e-mail cjcaporale@widener.edu.

Gergen joined the Nixon White House in 1971 as an assistant on the speech writing team, a group of heavyweights that included Pat Buchanan, Ben Stein and Bill Safire. He went on to work in the administration of Gerald Ford, was an adviser to the 1980 George H.W. Bush presidential campaign, served as director of Communications for President Ronald Reagan and as adviser to President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Warren Christopher on domestic and foreign affairs. In 2000, he published the best-selling book, Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton.

Gergen serves as a professor of public service and co-director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University. In this role, Gergen works closely with a rising generation of younger leaders, especially social entrepreneurs, military veterans and Young Global Leaders chosen by the World Economic Forum.

Starting with The McNeil-Lehrer NewsHour in 1984, he has been a regular commentator on public affairs, and currently serves as a senior political analyst for CNN. Twice he was a member of election coverage teams that won Peabody awards. In the late 1980s, he was chief editor of U.S. News & World Report.

Born in Durham, N.C., Gergen graduated with honors from both Yale College in 1963 and Harvard Law School in 1967 and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.

Gergen’s appearance at Widener will be in advance of his sold-out evening appearance as part of the Philadelphia Speakers Series presented by Widener at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Now in its 11th sold-out season, the Philadelphia Speakers Series offers annual subscribers the opportunity to spend an evening with Pulitzer and Nobel Peace Prize winners, world leaders, statesmen, distinguished journalists, authors and other celebrated personalities. For more information about the Philadelphia Speakers Series and the lineup of speakers for the 2014-15 season, visit www.philadelphiaspeakersseries.org.

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