H. Lee Scott Speaker Series

The “H. Lee Scott Speaker Series: An Examination of American Life” at Pittsburg State University was created in 2015 as a result of a $2.079 million gift made by PSU alum and former Walmart CEO Lee Scott and his wife, Linda.

The mission of the H. Lee Scott Speaker Series is to deepen the level of discourse, enrich the university experience, and elevate the university’s reputation by examining American life from the perspective of nationally prominent leaders and innovators.

In making the gift for the speaker series, Lee Scott said: “We hope that the exposure to these successful leaders will enhance the educational experiences for students and inspire them to someday be invited to speak about leadership on this same stage.”

Condoleezza Rice, who served as Secretary of State from January 2005 to 2009, was the second woman and first African American woman to hold the post. She also served as President George W. Bush’s assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (national security advisor) from January 2001 to 2005 — the first woman to hold the position.

In her address, Rice gave an overview of the current geopolitical landscapes and share her experiences as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State.