Former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III to be 1st UTD Leader Center Series Speaker

Former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III to be 1st UTD Leadership Center Series Speaker

World Affairs Council to Co-Sponsor Event on April 1 in Dallas

RICHARDSON, Texas (March 17, 2004) — Former United States Secretary of State James A. Baker, III will deliver the inaugural address in The Leadership Center at UTD’s Excellence in Leadership Speakers Series on April 1 in Dallas.

Baker, who currently is serving as a presidential envoy leading international efforts to restructure and reduce Iraq’s foreign debt, will talk about “World Events: Implications for Leadership” at noon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown.

Baker’s appearance will be co-sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas. “We are delighted to be part of this effort to present Mr. Baker’s unique perspectives on world events for a Dallas audience,” said Council President Jim Falk.

The luncheon speech is open to members of the public. The cost will be $45 for members of the World Affairs Council and $75 for others.

The Excellence in Leadership Speakers Series each year will feature two prominent scholars, business leaders or others who will share their experiences with students, faculty and staff from The University of Texas at Dallas, as well as members of the greater Dallas community. Speakers will be selected from among those who best represent the goals and ideals of The Leadership Center at UTD. The center, part of the university’s School of Management, promotes ethical leadership skills by bringing together the academic structure and body of knowledge with the practical life experiences of leaders to create an effective learning environment. It also seeks to stimulate and fund multi-disciplinary research that will advance knowledge and understanding of effective leadership.

Leadership Center at UTD Director Gerald Hoag noted that Baker’s appearance relates directly to the Leadership Center at UTD’s mission.

“The vision behind The Leadership Center at UTD is the premise that leadership qualities and skills can be learned and improved through a systematic program of classical teaching combined with real life experiences, imparted by people who are recognized as outstanding leaders,” Hoag said.

According to UTD School of Management Dean Dr. Hasan Pirkul, the center’s activities address both the strategic goals of the school and the practical needs of the corporate world.

“The events of the last several years have shown that there is a clear need for leadership,” Pirkul said. “Some leaders in business have failed spectacularly. Many companies have changed CEOs, some multiple times. That points to the issue of leadership and the need for further study, which our Leadership Center is addressing by sponsoring such events as Mr. Baker’s appearance.”

Baker served as White House chief of staff and treasury secretary under President Reagan and was secretary of state during the first Bush administration.

For additional information about Baker’s appearance or to make a reservation, please call UTD’s School of Management at 972-883-2757.

 

About UTD

The University of Texas at Dallas, located at the convergence of Richardson, Plano and Dallas in the heart of the complex of major multinational technology corporations known as the Telecom Corridor®, enrolls more than 13,700 students. The school’s freshman class traditionally stands at the forefront of Texas state universities in terms of average SAT scores. The university offers a broad assortment of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. For additional information about UTD, please visit the university’s web site at http://www.utdallas.edu.

About the World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas

The World Affairs Council of Greater Dallas, a member of the World Affairs Councils of America, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1951 to expand public understanding of international affairs and United States foreign policy among the citizens of Dallas. The council’s members are business leaders, civic organizers, academics and students who wish to participate in open forums on international issues and develop relationships with international visitors.

Through its speaker programs, international exchanges and other outreach activities, the council provides its members and the public opportunities to better understand global issues. Among its many activities, the council administers the Dallas Committee for International Visitors, which is responsible for providing international visitors with programs such as home stays and short-term, professional internships. For more information about the council, please visit its web site, www.DallasWorld.org, or call (214) 965-8400.