Blavatt Lecture

Blavatt Lecture Series

Inaugurated in 1996, the Blavatt Lecture Series brings to the Gettysburg College Campus individuals whose professional experiences provide first-hand perspectives of the American political system while emphasizing the importance of public service based upon truth, justice and civil discourse.

Gettysburg College is a private, liberal arts institution located in south-central Pennsylvania and is approximately fifty miles from Washington, D.C. The College is presently ranked as one of the top national liberal arts institutions by U.S. News & World Report. The Borough of Gettysburg has been the site of pivotal events in the course of American history, most notably a critical battle of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln’s immortal Address and the home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Lecture speakers visit the College campus for a series of events. Speakers meet informally with seminar and honor students, thereby providing an opportunity for these students to discuss current, policy and political issues directly with influential leaders. Prior to the Annual Lecture, the College hosts a reception and lunch/dinner in honor of the Speaker. Thereafter, the College and local community attend the formal Lecture followed by an interactive discussion.

The Lecture Series has included influential Members of Congress, well-known writers, accomplished authors, talented educators, noted researchers and leading political scientists. Specifically, previous Lecture speakers have included: Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD), Governor Howard Dean (D-VT), Linda Greenhouse, Senior Correspondent for the Supreme Court of the United States for The New York Times, , Lawrence J. Sabato, noted political scientist, national election analyst and the Robert Kent Gooch Professor of Government at the University of Virginia, Susan Page, the Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today, Louis Fisher of the Congressional Research Service, (CRS), for the Library of Congress. William K. Suter, Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States, Jon Meacham, Editor in Chief of Newsweek and Howard Fineman, Senior Washington Correspondent for Newsweek.

Endowed by Ronald and the late Susan Blavatt of Owings Mills, Maryland, the Blavatt Family includes Gettysburg College graduates, Jeffrey, Class of 1988, and his wife, Kelly, Class of 2003, and Jason, Class of 1990, and his wife Amy Priga Blavatt, Class of 1991, all who remain active supporters of the College by their service on various committees and boards. Members of the Blavatt Family also serve as Officers, Directors and Trustees of the Blavatt Cogan/Glazer Family Foundation, the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission, National Tooling and Machining Association and LifeBridge Health System, the Associated Federation of Baltimore.

Lecture speakers receive an honorarium that can be designated to a non-profit of her/his preference. For additional information, contact ei@gettysburg.edu.

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