Jim Blanchard to Speak at Earle C. Clements Lecture-Symposium
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2019) — University of Kentucky Libraries will welcome Jim Blanchard, former governor and U.S. representative for Michigan and ambassador to Canada, to campus for the 2019 Earle C. Clements Lecture-Symposium. Blanchard will discuss his 40 years as a distinguished public servant in the United States and abroad beginning 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in the UK Athletics Auditorium at the William T. Young Library. The event is free and open to the public.
Former Gov. James Blanchard is a senior partner at the global law firm of DLA Piper and serves as chairman of the National Archives Foundation. He is also a member of the board of directors of the International Spy Museum and co-chairs the Ambassadors Circle at the National Democratic Institute (NDI).
During his tenure as ambassador to Canada, Blanchard managed a broad range of trade, natural resources, environmental and national security issues between the United States and Canada, providing support critical to the passage of both NAFTA and the Open Skies Agreement.
Blanchard’s eight years as Michigan’s governor were notable for his success in turning around the state’s finances, working with the private sector to attract business investment and trade from around the world. He won national acclaim for his innovative approaches to economic development, education, crime fighting, environmental protection and helping children and families.
Before running for governor, Blanchard served in Congress. During his four terms, he distinguished himself for his work to save the Chrysler Corporation, restore America’s economic competitiveness, and oversee financial, monetary, trade and energy issues. Blanchard’s major assignments included the House Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs Committee.
The annual Earle C. Clements Lecture-Symposium is designed to share the legacy of Clements, who served as a governor and U.S. representative for Kentucky and as a close colleague to then Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Baines Johnson. Each year, the Clements Lecture-Symposium welcomes renowned intellectuals and scholars in the areas of public policy and government.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.