Monfort Lecture Series
The Monfort Excellence Fund provides up to $200,000 annually for guest speakers for a period of five years. The Monfort Lecture Series features distinguished speakers of international distinction. In conjunction with the lectures, the university has created a series of seminars and other activities to engage faculty, students, alumni and community members with the speakers.
Greg Mortenson, author of 'Three Cups of Tea'
Monday, August 31, 2009
Greg Mortenson will give the 2009 Monfort Lecture - presented by the Bohemian Foundation - at Colorado State University at 7 p.m., Aug. 31.
Mortenson, a humanitarian, international peacemaker, co-founder of the non-profit Central Asia Institute and founder of the Pennies for Peace program, will speak on Promoting Peace through Education. He is co-author of the 'Three Cups of Tea,' which has been a New York Times bestseller for more than 130 weeks, more than half of that time at No. 1.
Jane Goodall Delivers Message of Hope
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Goodall delivers the Monfort Lecture to a capacity crowd on April 25.
More than 8,000 people filled Moby Arena the evening of April 25 to hear world-renowned conservationist and U.N. Messenger of Peace Jane Goodall deliver the 2007 Monfort Lecture.
Goodall's lecture focused on her lifelong journey studying chimpanzees and working as an ambassador for the environment. She also discussed how humans, intelligent and compassionate beings, are living unsustainable lifestyles that are destroying the earth and why she believes "humanity can rise to the challenge and make this world better."
Media coverage of the event:
- Coloradoan, April 26: Goodall: Rise to the challenge
- Collegian, April 26: Goodall gives Fort Collins a reason to hope in 2007 Monfort Lecture
2006 - Ernesto Zedillo
Ernesto Zedillo, president of Mexico from 1994 to 2000, delivered the 2006 Monfort Lecture September 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Moby Arena. Zedillo is the current Director of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, Professor in the Field of International Economics and Politics and Adjunct Professor of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University.
2005 - Mikhail Gorbachev
More than 9,000 people filled Moby Arena the evening of April 14 to hear former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev deliver the 2005 Monfort Lecture. Gorbachev, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his role in ending the Cold War, focused on putting "the priorities of all mankind" above those of individual nations. He also spoke passionately of the global value of cooperation, national responsibility and environmental stewardship.
2004 - Madeleine Albright
The first female secretary of state, Madeleine Albright was the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. As secretary, Albright reinforced America's alliances, advocated democracy and human rights, and promoted American trade and business, labor and environmental standards abroad.
Secretary Albright has been awarded the first Michael and Virginia Mortara Endowed Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and first Distinguished Scholar of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan Business School. She is the Chairman of The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs. She also serves on the board of directors of the New York Stock Exchange.
From 1993 to 1997, Albright also served as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as a member of the President's Cabinet and National Security Council. She was also a member of President's Carter's National Security Council and White House Staff.
Albright is the founder of the Albright Group LLC, a global strategy firm and author of Madam Secretary: A Memoir.
A part of "Bridges to the Future," Secretary Albright's speech was given to a sold out audience at Moby Arena on March 21, 2004.
2003 - Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu, a crusader against apartheid in South Africa and leader in the worldwide peace movement, delivered an impassioned message of reconciliation, interdependence, respect and reverence for life to a sold-out Moby Arena on April 8, 2003. Tutu spoke as part of "Bridges to the Future," a yearlong program jointly sponsored by Colorado State University and the University of Denver designed to encourage exploration and greater understanding of American history and values.
2002 - Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, a 1956 graduate of West Point, acquired the rank of full general in 1988 and two years later successfully coordinated the efforts of all Allied forces in Operation Desert Storm. He has been awarded five Distinguished Service Medals, three Silver Stars, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the National Order of the Legion of Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and decorations from the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In 1992, Schwarzkopf wrote an autobiography, "It Doesn't Take a Hero." Since retiring from active duty in 1992, Schwarzkopf volunteers his time to help raise support and awareness for numerous nonprofit organizations, including serving as a spokesman for the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.
A part of "Bridges to the Future," General Schwarzkopf's speech was given to a sold out audience at Moby Arena on November 6, 2002.
