General Colin L. Powell (Ret.), USA, will be back on Kutztown’s campus as the featured speaker for the 17th Annual Kutztown University Decision Makers Forum on March 30, 2006! The upcoming speech marks Gen. Powell’s second address at the Decision Makers Forum. Powell, a recent Secretary of State should attract even more attention from corporate sponsors, students and the general public this March. “He was an obvious choice,” says Ron Lewis, Development Director for the College of Business as well as the event’s chief organizer. Lewis, who received confirmation of Powell’s availability in June 2005, believes that Powell can offer a “unique perspective on current events for the Kutztown community since he was recently part of the President’s administration.”
Before becoming Secretary of State in 2001, General Powell served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 – 1993). General Powell was the founding Chairman of America’s Promise - The Alliance for Youth, a national crusade to improve the lives of our nation’s youth. Powell recently joined the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to work with young executives on leadership and to expand global business growth.
Created in 1990, the Decision Makers Forum serves to enhance the relationship between KU and the regional business community. Corporate sponsorship offers the opportunity to hear presentations by exceptional leaders of achievement and to enjoy major networking opportunities at the Sponsors’ Buffet. It also provides a great opportunity for Kutztown’s student body. “Students will have a chance to interact with Powell at the Sovereign Bank Academic Session that day,” Ron Lewis asserts. “The Decision Makers Forum always offers the student body and larger academic community a great opportunity to ask important questions about national events and policies.” Past speakers at the Decision Makers Forum include George H. W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Rudy Giuliani, Madeleine Albright, Tim Russert and George Tenet. Ron Lewis is expecting another successful event. “Based on General Colin Powell’s recent national status and popularity, we expect another sell out crowd this March.”
Corporate sponsorship for the upcoming event includes preferred parking, the buffet and reserved seating for the speaker’s address. KU alumni who teach in local high schools are invited to attend the Sovereign Bank Academic Session with their students. Tickets may be reserved by calling Tanya Faust, Kutztown University College of Education at (610) 683-4332. Individuals may also purchase tickets for the Decision Makers Forum: Alumni can reserve seats for a discounted rate of $30 each. Tickets for the general public are $40. www.kutztown.edu/foundation/business_decision.shtml
