Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs to speak at FSU

Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon Jr., former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, will speak at Florida State University at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, on “Strategic Leadership in the 21st Century: How You Can Shape the Emerging Global Order.” 

During his lecture, Shannon will explore the forces driving global transformation, the fluid nature of today’s world, the enduring influence of the U.S. in shaping global order and how emerging generations will define the future. This event is co-sponsored by the FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series and the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series.  

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in The Globe Auditorium, 110 S. Woodward Ave. A reception will take place beforehand at 4 p.m. in the lobby of The Globe. 

The Under Secretary for Political Affairs reports to the Secretary of State and is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations at the Department of State, including managing international crises and U.S. foreign policy.  

Shannon received his master’s and doctorate in politics from Oxford University after graduating with honors from the College of William and Mary in 1980, where he studied government and philosophy.  

Shannon’s diplomatic career spans nearly 35 years, from 1984 until his retirement in February 2018. Before his term as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, he held positions including U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.  

Attendees can park in either the Traditions Parking Garage or the Pensacola Parking Garage without an FSU permit after 4:30 p.m.  

For more information, visit calendar.fsu.edu.