The most impactful way to understand the power of the Olmsted Scholar Program is to hear Scholars and other senior leaders talk about the program, the many ways it has contributed to their lives and careers, and how it has helped advance United States interests around the world. The Olmsted Lecture Series was created as an opportunity to showcase the Olmsted Scholar Program to the wider national security community, promote interest in Scholars among senior leaders, and grow appreciation for the unique talents and perspectives Olmsted Scholars offer.
Olmsted Lecture attendees will gain a deeper understanding of critical national security issues facing the country, both now and in the future. Equally important, attendees will more clearly recognize the value proposition that Olmsted Scholars offer their respective Services and the many ways in which Scholars truly are strategic assets to the Joint Force. In addition, the lecture offers senior leaders an opportunity to meet Scholars personally, such that both can benefit mutually form the Olmsted Experience as the next generation of military leaders works its way up through positions of leadership and responsibility.
On October 18, 2022, General James C. McConville, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, presented the eighth Olmsted Lecture at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. In his remarks, General McConville described how the Army was transforming guided by lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine war.
The National Press Club in Washington, DC, has hosted a multitude of notable American and world leaders for press-related events, including presidents, premiers, cabinet secretaries, leaders from the world of business and finance, and others. The reputation and visibility of this setting makes it the perfect venue for the Olmsted Lecture.
On October 20, 2014, NASA astronaut Colonel Mike Hopkins (USAF) began the lecture series as the first featured speaker. Colonel Hopkins was a member of the Olmsted Scholar Class of 2003 and spent his two years as a Scholar in Parma, Italy. In 2009 Hopkins was selected by NASA and the U.S. Air Force to train as an astronaut candidate at the Johnson Space Center. On September 10, 2013, he joined the 37th expedition to the International Space Station as a Flight Engineer. His lecture provided attendees truly inspiring perspectives on what Olmsted Scholars can do and achieve in their careers.
The second Olmsted Lecture took place on November 16, 2015, with featured guest Admiral (Ret.) Jim Stavridis. Admiral Stavridis served at the time as Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. During his distinguished military career, he served in numerous advisory roles to senior defense officials and in multiple command billets, culminating as the Supreme Allied Commander at NATO. A respected expert on international relations and ardent supporter of the Olmsted Scholar program, he discussed the major security challenges facing the United States in the 21st Century.
On October 26, 2016, General (Ret.) John Abizaid, member of the Olmsted Scholar Class of 1978 and former Commander of U.S. Central Command, delivered the third Olmsted Lecture with a presentation entitled, “Elusive Stability: America’s Middle Eastern Challenges.” General Abizaid drew on his extensive experience in the Mideast, gained in part during his years as an Olmsted Scholar in Amman, Jordan, to offer attendees a vision of future stability in the region. Abizaid later served later as U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, in addition to many other nationally distinguished roles related to foreign policy.
The fourth Olmsted Lecture was presented in October of 2017 by Admiral Kurt Tidd, then the Commander of U.S. Southern Command. Admiral Tidd is a member of the Olmsted Scholar Class of 1984 who studied in Bordeaux, France. In his remarks entitled, “Southern Hemisphere – Security, Threats, and Human Rights,” Tidd described the security environment and issues of major concern to the United States associated with Central and South America. After his retirement from 40 years of active-duty service in uniform, Admiral Tidd later became the Chairman of the Board of the Olmsted Foundation.
The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, presented the fifth Olmsted Lecture in March 2019. In his remarks, Richardson discussed the U.S. Navy’s design for maritime superiority in the 21st century. A strong supporter of the Foundation and the Olmsted Scholar Program, Admiral Richardson offered attendees key insights about naval capabilities and the need to exert U.S. power in the global commons, especially the vital sea lines of communication through which 90% of the world’s commerce passes. Admiral Richardson was the first sitting Service Chief to present an Olmsted Lecture.
General David Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, presented the sixth Olmsted Lecture on October 21, 2019 to an audience that included other 4-star Service leaders, career diplomats, and notable military and civilian leaders from the wider national security community. In his remarks, General Goldfein described how America can expand its competitive edge, especially in the air and in space, to maintain dominance of those domains and advance American interests. With the formal establishment that same year of the U.S. Space Force, this lecture was a timely look into the future of the U.S. military.
In October 2021, Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, gave an Olmsted Lecture focused on the geostrategic importance of maritime governance. His remarks described the many missions the Coast Guard undertakes to enforce maritime law, secure commercial and strategic access, and protect the maritime environment in every part of the globe from the Arctic to the Caribbean and beyond. His lecture was notable in that it followed immediately upon the selection of the first Olmsted Scholar from the Coast Guard designated to study above the Arctic Circle in Tromsø, Norway.
The eighth Olmsted Lecture was presented in October 2022 by General James McConville, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, who discussed lessons the Army has learned from the Russia-Ukraine war. His presentation also offered the Foundation the opportunity to showcase the vital contributions made by Olmsted Scholars from all Services who studied in Ukraine, Russia, or other locations throughout Eastern Europe. This lecture highlighted in the clearest of terms the value proposition offered by the Olmsted Scholar Program to the Services and the many ways Scholars are strategic assets to the Joint Force.
General Eric Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps, gave the ninth Olmsted Lecture in October 2023. In his remarks, General Smith discussed the need for the U.S. military to conduct effective campaigning and the unique capabilities the Marine Corps provides in this respect. He also discussed the importance of these capabilities in facing the challenges posed by near peer competitors and the potential for great power conflict throughout the world. He reminded the new class of Scholars that they will represent the U.S. and its military to people who may never again meet another member of the U.S. military.
Are you an Olmsted Scholar with a proposal for a featured speaker at a future Olmsted Lecture Series event? If so, please contact the Olmsted Foundation at scholars@olmstedfoundation.org.