SJC Welcomes Former U.S. Ambassador and Author Joseph Wilson

September 12, 2011

PATCHOGUE AND BROOKLYN, NY September 13, 2011 St. Josephs College is pleased to announce that former U.S. Ambassador, author of The Politics of Truth and Chairman of the Board, Symbion Power Africa Joseph Wilson will be the featured speaker for its Eighth Annual Presidential Lecture on Wednesday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the DEcclesiis Auditorium located in OConnor Hall on its Long Island Campus. Mr. Wilsons lecture, "The Politics of Truth, will also be presented on the Brooklyn Campus at 12:30 p.m.

Hailed as a true American hero by former president George H.W. Bush for his work to free 100 American prisoners from Iraq, Joseph Wilson has had an influential and historic career in international relations. Mr. Wilson was the U.S. ambassador throughout Operation Desert Shield and the ambassador to Gabon and the Democratic Republic of So Tom and Prncipe. As special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, he was responsible for the assimilation of U.S. policy in the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa, allowing the Africa trade bill to take effect and for former President Clinton to travel to the region in 1998.

Mr. Wilsons national best-selling book, The Politics of Truth, chronicles his experience in international political affairs and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the American government, including the controversy that leaked the identity of his wife, Valerie Plame-Wilson, a covert CIA officer. Currently, Mr. Wilson is the CEO of JC Wilson International Ventures, a consulting firm specializing in international business development, and the chairman of the board of Symbion Power Africa, which provides electrical infrastructure in challenging environments to modernize and develop undersupplied regions.

Now in its eighth year, the Annual Presidential Lecture Series was established to further the educational goals of the College and to support its mission: Esse non videri: "To be, not to seem. Each year, St. Josephs hosts a distinguished member of public life with experience, knowledge and perspectives that challenge the College as an academic community and the community at large as citizens in the 21st century. The annual series reflects the liberal arts ideals of free and open inquiry.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information about the St. Josephs College Presidential Lecture Series, please call 631.687.2667 or 718.940.5584 or visit www.sjny.edu.