Daniel Christman, a retired army lieutenant general, who is the Senior Vice President, International Affairs, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will be the keynote speaker at the 2006 Hatton W. Sumners Speaker Series hosted by College of the Southwest. Christman will speak on Tuesday, April 11, at 7:00 p.m. in Pearson Hall at New Mexico Military Institute.
Christman is a leading expert on the role of the United States on the world stage, values-based leadership, and achieving a fair playing field in a global economy. His speech topic is entitled 21st Century Leadership - Values Still Matter.
Christman has written and lectured extensively on foreign policy and national defense topics, including the ongoing war against international terrorism. He has traveled widely throughout the Middle East and Europe and briefed leaders around the globe on U.S .defense policy. Christman has also served as a military analyst for CNN International during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Immediately prior to his present position, General Christman served for two years as President and Executive Director of the Kimsey Foundation in Washington, D.C. This was preceded by an assignment to West Point, where Christman served for five years as the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy. During his stewardship of this historic institution, General Christman launched comprehensive reviews and reforms of the academy's academic and leadership programs. He also initiated the first-ever capital campaign for West Point-a $150 million plan that was key to rebuilding the infrastructure and cadet development programs of the academy.
Prior to his West Point assignment, General Christman served for two years as the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. In that position, he traveled with and advised the US Secretary of State on a broad range of military and national security issues, including arms control with the Russian Federation and Middle East peace negotiations between Israel and Syria.
General Christman also represented the U.S. in Brussels, Belgium as a member of NATO's Military Committee, a position that involved him centrally in the historic expansion of NATO, peace enforcement in the Balkans, and military dialogue with Russia. During the Gulf War in 1991, he headed a strategic planning group that advised the Army's Chief of Staff on war prosecution policies. He also served in President Ford's administration as a member of Dr. Kissinger's National Security Council staff, where he shared responsibility for strategic arms control.
Graduating first in his class from West Point, General Christman also served there as a junior officer where he taught the Department of Social Sciences as an Assistant Professor of Economics. He received MPA and MSE degrees in public affairs and civil engineering from Princeton University and graduated with honors from the George Washington University Law School. General Christman is also a combat veteran of Southeast Asia, where he commanded a company in the 101st Airborne Division in 1969.
Funded by the Dallas based Hatton W. Sumners Foundation, the annual Hatton W. Sumners Speaker Series features lecturers who advocate principles of American democratic self-government.
CSW supports the purpose of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation which is to encourage study, teaching, and research into the science and art of self-government so that the American people may understand the fundamental principles of democracy and to promote an increased understanding of the benefits of individual freedom and civic and personal responsibility.
Admission to this premier event is free, however tickets are required. Tickets may be obtained at College of the Southwest in Hobbs and in Roswell at KBIM Radio and the Roswell Chamber of Commerce.