Ambassador becomes 47th distinguished guest speaker at McConnell Center

(Jan. 15, 2015) LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Samantha Power, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was the 47th Distinguished Speaker at the McConnell Center. She is also the third Pulitzer Prize winner to visit the center.
Ambassador becomes 47th distinguished guest speaker at McConnell Center

Power, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, spoke to students, faculty, administrators and members of the public in UofL’s Bigelow Hall on Jan. 12.

In the ambassador’s 45-minute speech on bipartisanship and U.S. foreign policy, she said the U.S. government’s ability to fight Ebola, confront violent extremism and advance democracy in Burma are three examples of areas where uniting behind a common goal has changed lives throughout the world.

She fielded questions posed by McConnell Scholar alumna and Fulbright winner Meagan Floyd. Power later spoke to more than 100 students from Atherton High School (Jefferson County), Sacred Heart Academy (Jefferson County), Payneville Elementary (Meade County), Franklin County High School (Franklin County) and Elkhorn Middle School (Franklin County).

“To have America’s ambassador to the United Nations with us for two days to talk about critical world events from negotiations with Iran to new diplomatic openings in Cuba was a unique privilege for the University of Louisville community,” said Gary Gregg, McConnell Center director.

On Jan. 11, Power met privately with McConnell Scholars and had a private dinner with McConnell and his wife, former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.

Video

  • Full-length video (University of Louisville)
    • Photos

    • McConnell Scholars with Ambassador Samantha Power, Jan. 11 (photo credit: Tom Fougerousse, University of Louisville)
    • McConnell Center Talk - Ambassador Samantha Power, Jan. 12 (photo credit: Tom Fougerousse, University of Louisville)
    • Ambassador Samantha Power with Local Schools, Jan. 12 (photo credit: Tom Fougerousse, University of Louisville)
    • Sampling of News Articles

    • Ambassador praises UofL professor in McConnell talk (UofL Today by Janet Cappiello)
    • Ambassador: More Iran sanctions could backfire (Courier-Journal, Chris Kenning; repost in USA Today)
    • Samantha Power urges GOP Congress not to pursue Iran sanctions (Politico, Burgess Everett)
    • Foreign policy cooperation with Congress has limit: Iran (Associated Press, Bradley Klapper)
    • New sanctions could torpedo Iran nuclear deal: U.S. envoy to U.N. (Reuters, Louis Charbonneau)
    • Obama administration urges Congress to delay new Iran sanctions (L.A. Times, Paul Richter and Rahim Mostaghim)