Next fall’s Meliora Weekend will feature Former Secretary of State Colin Powell as the keynote speaker, according to Executive Director of Alumni Relations Kevin Wesley. Powell headlines a group of distinguished speakers and entertainers scheduled to appear at the annual festivities, to be held Oct. 19-21. The annual three-day event, which began in 2001, serves as homecoming for UR alumni as well as a family weekend for current students.
“President Seligman really believes that this weekend is an ideal opportunity to engage our guests in significant issues facing the world,” Wesley said.
Powell was sworn in as Secretary of State in 2001 and served in President George W. Bush’s cabinet until he resigned in 2004. Before his political career, he served as a U.S. soldier for 35 years. He served as National Security Advisor under former president Ronald Reagan, as well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has received numerous honors for his service, including the Purple Heart.
The featured entertainment for the event will be cast members from HBO’s popular television series, “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” One such member is Richard Lewis, whose career accomplishments include numerous film and movie credits, including “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.” He was also named one of the 50 greatest stand-up comedians by Comedy Central.
The William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration will celebrate its first Meliora Weekend reunion with a speech from Andrew Thomas ’91S, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heineken USA. Other featured events include a panel discussion on national security and civil liberties, to be moderated by Arthur Miller ’56, as well as UR President Joel Seligman’s second Presidential Symposium.
Moeller is a member of the class of 2009.
