The annual Tanous Family Endowed Lecture will feature former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates in conversation with Georgetown President John J. DeGioia.
Gates became the 22nd secretary of defense in 2006 under President George W. Bush, and remained in office until 2011. He is the only secretary of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president. President Barack Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom Prior during his retirement ceremony.
Gates had a 26-year career with the Central Intelligence Agency, serving as director from 1991–93. He is the only career CIA officer to rise from an entry-level position to the directorship. He also served as president of Texas A&M University from 2002–06.
The lecture will be held April 25 at 5:30 p.m. in Gaston Hall (inside Healy Hall) and is open to all Georgetown faculty, staff, and students, and Georgetown University Library Associates.
The Tanous Family Endowed Lecture Fund was established by Peter J. Tanous (C'60) in 2010 in honor of Lauinger Library’s 40th anniversary.