Former U.S. ambassador to South Africa to speak at K-State as part of Thompson Civil Rights Lecture Series

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Source: Larry Weaver, 785-532-1616, lweaver@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Michelle Hall, 785-532-6415, mhall@k-state.edu

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH AFRICA TO SPEAK AT K-STATE AS PART OF THOMPSON CIVIL RIGHTS LECTURE SERIES

MANHATTAN -- Edward J. Perkins, the first black U.S. ambassador to South Africa and to the United Nations, and the first black director general of the U.S. Foreign Services, will speak at Kansas State University Tuesday, Feb. 20, as part of the Dorothy Thompson Civil Rights Lecture Series.

Perkins, who served as ambassador to South Africa while apartheid was still the law, is now senior vice provost for international programs, William J. Crowe Chair Professor of Geopolitics and executive director of the International Programs Center at the University of Oklahoma.

He will present "Civil Rights and Citizens' Rights: Our Constitution" at 7 p.m. in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union.

Larry Weaver, K-State professor of physics and chair of the Dorothy Thompson Lecture Series committee, said Perkins' story, as a black American and ambassador to South Africa during apartheid, is fascinating.

"These experiences give him a unique perspective on civil rights, both in our country and abroad," Weaver said.

After serving in the military, Perkins began his career in the U.S. Foreign Service in 1970, serving in many countries and capacities. He served as ambassador to South Africa from 1986-89 and was ambassador to the United Nations in 1992-93. In 1989 Perkins was appointed as director general of the Foreign Service and director of personnel in the Department of State where he served from 1989-1992. Perkins was the Clinton administration's representative to the Commonwealth of Australia from November 1993 until August 1996. On Aug. 31, 1996, he retired with the rank of career minister in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Perkins was born in Sterlington, La., and grew up in Portland, Ore. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and master's and doctor of public administration degrees from the University of Southern California. He served three years in the U.S. Army and four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He speaks French, Japanese and Thai.

During his Foreign Service career, he received the Presidential Distinguished and Meritorious Service Awards, and the Department of State's Distinguished Honor and Superior Honor Award, among many other honors. On Sept. 10, 2001, he received the Director General's Cup awarded by the Department of State.

His memberships include the American Academy of Diplomacy, the American Consortium for International Public Administration, the American Foreign Service Association, The American Legion, The American Society for Public Administration, the Asia Society, the Center for the Study of the Presidency, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Foreign Policy Association, the Navy League, Phi Kappa Phi, the Public Service Commission, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chevy Chase Chapter, and the World Affairs Council of Washington, D.C. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Perkins has been awarded honorary degrees from Lewis and Clark College, St. John's University, the University of Maryland, Beloit College, Winston-Salem State University, St. Augustine College, Bowie State University and the University of Southern California.

His published works include "Mr. Ambassador: Warrior for Peace," with Connie Cronley, University of Oklahoma Press, 2006. Perkins will have a book signing prior to his lecture.

The Dorothy Thompson Civil Rights Lecture Series honors Thompson's contributions to human rights on campuses throughout Kansas and the nation. Thompson served K-State for more than 20 years in various roles, including as the university's affirmative action director. More information about the lecture series is available at http://www.k-state.edu/dthompson/