Three additional KSU alumni recently returned to Manhattan and spoke to KSU Political Science classes.
John Hofmeister, BA 1971 and MA 1973 in Political Science, former President of Shell Oil (2005-2008) and founder of Citizens for Affordable Energy, spoke to students in POLSC 611 Legislative Processes on February 11, 2014. Just two weeks before the class, John had been featured in a segment on CNN’s Anderson Cooper news program on the influence that money has on Congressional politics. Students watched the CNN clip before John’s talk and then asked a range of questions. Talk about learning from a respected and knowledgeable source! John was also gracious enough to speak at a number of other venues on campus, including giving the Lou Douglas Lecture that evening.
On February 7, 2014, General Richard Myers (ret.), BS Mechanical Engineering (1965), spoke to students in POLSC 549 International Defense Strategies. General Myers served as 15th Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the United States, from 2001 to 2005. Given his lengthy military career and his participation in a host of important foreign policy decisions, his insights were greatly appreciated by students. Again, an alumnus helped to give back one of the most valuable things former K-Staters have to offer our current generation of students — their insight and knowledge.
Don Dressler, founder of Don Dressler Consulting, Irvine California, visited POLSC 708 Public Personnel Administration on November 7. This visit was particularly valuable because Don is an experienced labor and employment law attorney who is a nationally recognized expert on worker’s compensation programs, employee safety and related issues. For K-State MPA students preparing to become professional public servants, the opportunity to gain insight from such a well-known expert was priceless. Even better, Don has graciously agreed to visit the class over coming years as well.
Needless to say, all alumni visits were extremely successful and provided invaluable information and understanding for our students.