University of St. Thomas received a $1,000 grant from Humanities Texas for the Center for International Studies Distinguished Diplomat Lecture.

The grant supported the March 7, 2019 Distinguished Diplomat Lecture with keynote speaker five-time career Ambassador Anne Patterson, Kissinger Senior Fellow, Yale University, Jackson Institute for Global Affairs.

Ambassador Patterson is the former Assistant Secretary of State for New Eastern Affairs and Ambassador to Egypt, Pakistan, Colombia, and El Salvador. She also served as Assistant Secretary of State of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, as well as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, among other important assignments. In July 2017, Ambassador Patterson was appointed to the National Defense Strategy Commission, charged by Congress with conducting a bipartisan and independent review of the country’s national security needs.

History of Distinguished Diplomat Program

UST created the Distinguished Diplomat Program (DDP) in 2012. The program is designed to educate and inspire our students and Center supporters in the Houston metropolitan area to pursue careers in one of the many facets of professional diplomacy, preparing them for work in governmental, corporate or nonprofit organizations. Past Biennial Distinguished Diplomat speakers include Ambassador Thomas Pickering (2015) and Ambassador Nicholas Platt (2017).

The Distinguished Diplomat Program has conducted more than 50 events, which educates the community and provide our students with hands-on experience. The Center for International Studies produces annual conferences on Asia and Taiwan, educational events that draw wide community support and provide immersive real-world experiences for UST students. The Center has also produced international conferences, focusing on relevant and timely issues such as the refugee crisis.

UST appreciates the support from Humanities Texas for this Distinguished Diplomat Lecture. Founded in 1973 as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Humanities Texas is one of fifty-six state and jurisdictional humanities councils in the U.S. Humanities Texas is a nonprofit, educational organization supported by federal and state appropriations, as well as by foundations, corporations and individuals.