On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the School of Public Affairs held its biennial Dalmas Nelson Lecture at the Thomas S. Monson Center. This year’s event featured Ambassador Patrick F. Kennedy, who served as the U.S. Department of State’s Under Secretary of State for Management from 2007 to 2017 and worked across various presidential administrations throughout his career.
The lecture is in honor of Dalmas Hildor Nelson, a former professor in the Department of Political Science. Nelson established the Master of Public Policy program at the U. Upon his retirement, the School of Public Affairs created this lecture series to highlight public law and administration. Kennedy got involved with the school through the American College of National Security Leaders. Ultimately, he explained why he chose to deliver this lecture. “This is an opportunity to talk about the State Department to a group of people who are in a high-class program at a major university,” he said. “The University of Utah is a great university.”
The lecture
Kennedy discussed the Department of State’s role in international relations and how the U.S. should address international issues. He spoke about the U.S.’s place in global politics. He said it’s a major trading nation, has interests in human rights worldwide and values protecting U.S. citizens across the globe. “This is the State Department’s mission: to advance our national interest with an international focus abroad through its network of almost 280 facilities around the world,” Kennedy said.
Throughout the speech, Kennedy commented on the functions of the Department of State. Those functions range from media to economics, and he related this information to current international events involving the US. He urged younger generations to get involved in public administration and international politics. “I hope there are some in this room, around this campus who will take up public service and assist their fellow citizens,” he said.
Associate Director for the School of Public Affairs Tabitha Benney asked what happens when the department and presidential administrations contradict each other. Kennedy said he believes both sectors of government should accept the other’s political decisions. He said they have the responsibility to be appropriate and work together. Benny followed up by giving her reason for joining the conversation. “I think that these are important issues and to understand how these structures integrate outside the United States,” Benney said. “So to have questions about these tensions between the current administration and this important role of the State Department really is an important question to ask.”
The audience
Following the speech, Kennedy spoke with U students. Both undergraduate and graduate asked questions about the various processes of becoming involved in public law and administration. Cade Bennett, a sophomore at the U studying political science, international studies and diplomacy explained why he attended the lecture “I feel that ambassadors have such a perspective on different events that you just can’t grab anywhere else,” he said.
Event sponsors also attended the lecture, including Brent D. Nelson, the son of Dalmas Nelson. He explained that he believes this event is essential to help educators and students understand the importance of public administration and foreign policy. “Having expertise is valuable and important for the country. We need to be reminded of this at this particular time,” Nelson said.
