Experiences Visiting Speakers

A key component of the Patterson School experience is our rich speaker and visitors program. Policymakers, professors, corporate officials, and political activists - from the United States and abroad - are brought to campus not only to speak, but also to actually meet our students. Often guest speakers make two presentations: a major session open to the public and another (frequently off the record) small event with just Patterson School students.

Vince Davis Lecture

A signature event is the Patterson School's Vince Davis Lecture. This brings to Lexington leading policymakers and scholars working at the forefront of foreign and security policy. Recent Vince Davis honorees include Noel Nelson Messone, a Patterson School graduate and Gabon's permanent representative to the United Nations, former acting Director of Central Intelligence John McLaughlin, diplomatic historian George C. Herring and Admiral Mike Mullen, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Former Director of Central Intelligence Admiral Stansfield Turner presented the inaugural Davis lecture in 2003.

John McLaughlin, Deputy Director of Central Intelligence from 2000 to 2004

Noel Nelson Messone

Noel Nelson Messone, 2014

Noel Nelson Messone, 2014 Facebook

Spragens Family International Banking Lecture

On the economic side, the recently showcased Swiss economist and former Davos executive Thierry Malleret. Earlier Spragens speakers include Cyprus Finance Minister Michalis Sarris, UBS Chief Investment Strategist Mike Ryan, and Andreas Prindl, CBE (Deputy Chairman of British insurance giant Lloyds). The inaugural Spragens lecture was given in 2009 by professor and former Federal Reserve Bank official Donald Mullineaux.

In addition to Patterson School events, many notable guests to the University of Kentucky and this area give major addresses on political and international themes. Recent examples include a review of China policy with former Ambassador and presidential candidate Jon Huntsman, discussions with US Supreme Court Associate Justices Elena Kagan and Clarence Thomas, a roundtable with the then current and two former Speakers of the House John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, and Denny Hastert; the visit of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi; former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian activist Hanan Ashrawi; former Indian President Abdul Kalam.

Finally, the Patterson School's close relationships with the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, the Kentucky World Trade Center, the University of Louisville's Center for Asian Democracy, and the McConnell Center provide students with additional opportunities for professional engagement and growth.

Recent Visiting Speakers

The Techno-politics and Geopolitics of Nuclear Cooperation between Argentina and China

Mar 31, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Dr. Max Vila Seoane, Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) of Argentina and Professor at the School of Politics & Government of the National University of San Martín (UNSAM), together with Dr. Daniel Blinder, Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) of Argentina and Professor at the National University of José Clemente Paz, Argentina, will give a talk on nuclear cooperation between Argentina and China and its implications for techno-politics and geopolitics in South America.

China in Global Digital Trade Governance: Implications for Development

Mar 24, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Dr. Ka Zeng, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Director of International and Global Studies at the University of Arkansas, will give a talk on a joint project with Dr. Yujia He (Patterson School) studying China’s interests and actions in the global governance of digital trade and the implications for developing countries in global trade negotiations. Dr. Ka Zeng’s visit to the Patterson School is supported by the SEC Faculty Travel Grant Program.

What do we talk about when we talk about the Chinese Digital Silk Road?

Jan 20, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Dr. Elisa Oreglia, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Global Digital Cultures at King’s College London and an Affiliate of the Lau China Institute, will discuss China’s “Digital Silk Road” investing in the digital economy development in the developing countries as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Dr.

US-China Nuclear Competition and Implications for International Security

Jan 13, 2023, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Dr. Tong Zhao, Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and currently a visiting research scholar at Princeton University’s Science and Global Security Program, will give a talk on the growing political obstacles that drive the U.S.-China nuclear escalation and offer thoughts on potential mitigating measures to maintain nuclear stability.