Political commentator and former Senior White House Advisor David Gergen to speak at Fairfield University on the economic impact of the war with Iraq | Press Releases

Image: David Gergen A former White House advisor to four presidents, David Gergen, will discuss world events and their potential impact on our financial future at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 5, at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University. Mr. Gergen's lecture, "Geo-politics and the Economy," is sponsored by Merrill Lynch, in partnership with Fairfield University.

Mr. Gergen's lecture will consider the impact of the war on the U.S. economy, the cost of reconstruction and the impact on oil and gas pricing. He will also discuss the situation in Korea, the potential for an interest rate hike, and the President's proposed tax cut.

"Merrill Lynch is pleased to be able to offer this event to our clients as well as the Fairfield community," said Richard A. Skae, Managing Regional Director of the Merrill Lynch Northeast Region.

"Mr. Gergen brings a uniquely qualified perspective to one of the most challenging sets of domestic and international issues the United States has faced since the conclusion of World War II," said Norm Solomon, Ph.D., dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business. "With a career that has spanned both Democratic and Republican administrations and a strong grounding in both domestic and foreign policy, Mr. Gergen's observations and analyses about the massive aid needed to reconstruct Iraq and how that reconstruction may impact the state of the domestic economy will be well worth hearing."

David Gergen served as director of communications for President Reagan and held positions in the administrations of Presidents Nixon and Ford. He served as counselor to President Clinton on foreign policy and domestic affairs, then as special international advisor to the president and to Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

Mr. Gergen also worked several years as a journalist, and served as editor of U.S. News & World Report. He is also known for teaming up with Mark Shields for political commentary on the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. Mr. Gergen is currently editor-at-large at U.S. News, and is moderator of World@Large, a 10-part PBS discussion series now in its second season. He is a professor of public service and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. His book, "Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton," was published in the fall of 2000.

Mr. Gergen received his L.L.B. from Harvard Law School and his A.B. with honors from Yale University.

"Fairfield is proud to host the distinguished Mr. Gergen, and we are honored to welcome his insights and experience," said Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University. "As global politics and economics become increasingly important to everyday lives, we look forward to hearing Mr. Gergen's thoughts and discovering how they may inform our shared teaching, scholarship, and service."

Tickets to Mr. Gergen's lecture are $15 and seating is limited. Lobby doors will open at about 6:45 p.m. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. Merrill Lynch clients should contact their local Financial Advisor for complimentary tickets. For more information, visit the website, www.quickcenter.com.