Robert C. Vance Distinguished Lecture Series

The Robert C. Vance Distinguished Lecture Series at Central Connecticut State University was established in 1983. Through 2013, 23 lectures[1] have been given by well-known journalists such as Anderson Cooper, Dan Rather, and Bob Woodward, and by figures from government such as Robert Gates, Rudolph Giuliani, and Shimon Peres. Three former U.S. Presidents have also been among the lecturers in the series.

The lecture series is named after Robert C. Vance, publisher of the New Britain Herald from 1951 to 1959.

The original aim of the series was to bring to CCSU speakers from the field of journalism.[2] Newscaster David Brinkley was scheduled to give the first Vance lecture in 1983, but was replaced only days before the lecture by Benjamin Bradlee.[3],[4] The twelve lecturers following Bradlee were well-known political figures, but since 2001, journalists have also been featured.

All costs for the series are covered by the Robert C. Vance Charitable Foundation,[5] a private foundation founded in 1958.[6] Lectures are free to the public, although a paid reception and dinner with the lecturer is usually held before the lecture.

List of Vance Lecturers

The following twenty-four speakers are confirmed to have given lectures in this series. There have been twenty-three events, as William Buckley and George McGovern appeared together in 1990. Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson is among the speakers the Vance Foundation has been unsuccessful in booking.[7]

speaker date
Benjamin Bradlee Vice President, the Washington Post 1983[8]
Harold Wilson Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 4/28/1984[9]
Jimmy Cartera President of the United States 4/16/1985[10]
Henry Kissingera Secretary of State of the United States 3/24/1987[11]
Gerald Forda President of the United States 3/23/1988[12]
William F. Buckley, Jr. Political author and commentator 3/28/1990[13]
George McGovern U.S. Senator; 1972 presidential candidate 3/28/1990[14]
Jeane Kirkpatricka United States Representative to the United Nations 4/4/1991[15]
Fay Vincenta Commissioner of Baseball 4/28/1992[16]
Helmut Schmidta Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany 4/28/1993[17]
Brian Mulroneya Prime Minister of Canada 4/26/1994[18]
Lech Wałęsaa President of Poland; Nobel Peace Prize laureate 4/10/1996[19]
F. W. de Klerk State President of South Africa 4/23/1997[20]
George H. W. Busha   President of the United States 3/11/1999[21]
George Mitchella U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader 4/12/2000[22]
Bob Woodward Reporter, editor, the Washington Post 4/18/2001[23]
Shimon Peres Prime Minister of Israel 4/14/2003[24]
Hugh Downs Newscaster, NBC, ABC 4/12/2005[25]
Dan Rather Anchor, CBS Evening News 4/4/2007[26]
Bob Dole U.S. Senator; Senate Majority Leader; 1996 presidential candidate 4/8/2008[27]
Anderson Cooper Newscaster, CNN 4/31/2009[28]
Steve Forbes Editor-in-chief, Forbes magazine; 2000 presidential candidate 4/28/2010[29]
Robert Gates U.S. Secretary of Defense 11/8/2011[30]
Rudolph Giuliani Mayor of New York City; 2008 presidential candidate 3/14/2013[31]

Notes

a speaker received an Honorary degree from CCSU on the date of his or her lecture.

Controversies

The Vance Lecture Series has been accused of conservative bias by members of the CCSU community.[32]

In particular, the lectures of Kissinger, de Klerk,[39] and Gates[40] were met with protests.

References

  1. ↑ "Rudolph Giuliani Delivers Vance Lecutre" (2013, May). Central Courier, 38(4), p. 2. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  2. ↑ Traynor, Melissa. (2010, March 29).Steve Forbes Will Be 2010 Vance Distinguished Lecturer. The Recorder. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  3. ↑ "Brinkley will be filling in this week for ABC anchormen Frank Reynolds and Ted Koppel, who are ill, a CCSU spokeswoman said..." (Bradlee Replaces Brinkley. (1983, May 3). Hartford Courant, p. B4B.)
  4. ↑ James, Alayna. (2013, February 17).Vance Series Adds to its Tradition of Distinguished Guest Speakers. New Britain Herald. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  5. ↑ Board of Trustees for the Connecticut State University System (2000, November 2). Resolution naming the new classroom and office building at Central Connecticut State University in honor of Robert C. Vance. Board Resolution BR#2000-89. Retrieved 2013-5-29.
  6. ↑ see Overview at the National Center for Charitable Statistics
  7. ↑ Carlson, Meredith. (1997, April 22).De Klerk's Planned Visit Stirs Protests at CCSU. Hartford Courant, p. B1. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  8. ↑ James, Alayna. (2013, February 17).Vance Series Adds to its Tradition of Distinguished Guest Speakers. New Britain Herald. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  9. ↑ Gustavsen, John. (1984, April 29). British Leader Praises U.S. Dealings with Soviets. The (Norwalk, CT) Day [AP], p. 3.
  10. ↑ Carter Lecture Moves to Larger Location. (1985, March 21). Ridgefield Press, p. 7B.
  11. ↑ Kissinger says Iran arms sale a mistake. (1987, March 26). Chicago Sun-Times [AP] , p. 64.
  12. ↑ Central Connecticut State University (May 16, 2013). Commencement exercises: May 2013, p. 46 [unpaginated].
  13. ↑ This Week in Connecticut (March 25, 1990). New York Times, p. CN12, col. 5.
  14. ↑ This Week in Connecticut (March 25, 1990). New York Times, p. CN12, col. 5.
  15. ↑ Central Connecticut State University (May 16, 2013). Commencement exercises: May 2013, p. 46 [unpaginated].
  16. ↑ Amore, Don. (1992, April 29). Vincent not optimistic on return of Steinbrenner. Hartford Courant, p. F6.
  17. ↑ Campbell, Joseph W. (1993, April 29). Schmidt Says West Can Do Little On Balkans War. Hartford Courant. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  18. ↑ Ex Canada Leader To Speak at CCSU. (1994, April 19). Hartford Courant, p. D9.
  19. ↑ Lech Walesa To Speak At CCSU. (1996, March 6). Hartford Courant, p. B3.
  20. ↑ Carlson, Meredith. (1997, April 22). De Klerk's Planned Visit Stirs Protests at CCSU. Hartford Courant, p. B1. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  21. ↑ Brown, Matthew Hay. (1999, February 4). Former President Bush To Give R.C. Vance Lecture at University. Hartford Courant, p. B3.
  22. ↑ Willingham, Trish. (2000, March 9). Mitchell To Give Talk At CCSU. Hartford Courant, p. B4.
  23. ↑ Fillo, Maryellen. (2001, April 19). Writer Enthralls Audiences: Woodward Gives 2 Speeches In State. Hartford Courant, p. A9. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  24. ↑ Gottlieb, Rachel. (2003, April 15). At CCSU, Peres Makes Appeal For Peace; Nobel Laureate Criticizes Sharon, U.N.. Hartford Courant, p. B1.
  25. ↑ Decnantis, Julia. (2005, March 9). Hugh Downs To Speak At CCSU. Hartford Courant. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  26. ↑ Larcen, Donna. (2007, March 29). Dan Rather Visits CCSU. Hartford Courant. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  27. ↑ Fillo, Maryellen (2008, April 10). A Republican Luminary In Spotlight At CCSU. Hartford Courant.
  28. ↑ 360 Degrees of Anderson Cooper. (2009, April 30). Hartford Courant, p. .
  29. ↑ Traynor, Melissa. (2010, March 29). Steve Forbes Will Be 2010 Vance Distinguished Lecturer. The Recorder. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  30. ↑ Newberg, Liz. (2011, November 11). Gates speaks at CCSU; Students protest. Newington Town Crier, p. 16. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  31. ↑ Burnham, Johnny J. (2013, March 15). Giuliani speaks at Vance Lecture series. New Britain Herald. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  32. ↑ Otlowski, Acadia (2013, March 13). Faculty Senate Stands in Solidarity With Student Protests. The Recorder. Retrieved on 2013-6-29.
  33. ↑ William F. Buckley, Jr.: Author, Editor, Lecturer, Host of "Firing Line." (n.d.). Boston.com.
  34. ↑ Pierce, Charles P. (2013, February 25). The Woodward Myth. Esquire. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  35. ↑ Botwinick, Nathaniel & Andrew Johnson (2013, February 28). The Liberal Excommunication of Bob Woodward. National Review Online. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  36. ↑ Boehlert, Eric (2002). His Master's Voice. Salon.com. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  37. ↑ Vincent, Fay (2012, September 4). Getting old, you have 'no agenda and are not trying to impress anyone. Vero Beach Newsweekly. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  38. ↑ Vincent, Fay (2010, November 16). Pelosi just hanging on, like Willie with the Mets. Vero Beach Newsweekly. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  39. ↑ Carlson, Meredith. (1997, April 22). De Klerk's Planned Visit Stirs Protests at CCSU. Hartford Courant, p. B1. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.
  40. ↑ Burnham, Johnny J. (2013, March 15).Giuliani speaks at Vance Lecture series. New Britain Herald. Retrieved on 2013-5-29.