SPIA students meet with former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen

The University of Maine welcomed former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen for the 2015 Cohen Lecture. Secretary Cohen was joined by two other distinguished national security officials – General Joseph Ralston, former Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, and Ambassador Nicholas Burns, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs – to discuss “America’s Response to Global Instability.” Felicia Knight, president of the Knight Canney Group, moderated the presentation sponsored by UMaine’s Cohen Institute for Leadership and Public Service.

Prior to the presentation, Sec. Cohen, Gen. Ralston, and Amb. Burns graciously engaged SPIA graduate students in a wide-ranging discussion about contemporary global issues. The guest experts provided many thought provoking exchanges and dialogue based on their years of experience in government and deep knowledge of world politics. Students emerged from the candid and erudite discussion invigorated to pursue their respective passions in international affairs.

WATCH the 2015 Cohen Lecture: “America’s Response to Global Instability”