The Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Jr. Lecture in International Studies, inaugurated at Duke University on November 5, 1992 with The Honorable Vernon Anthony Walters as the first invited speaker, was established by Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans and James H. Semans and their family to honor Mrs. Semans’ father, who had a distinguished career as a diplomat in the service of the United States and was an original signer of The Duke Endowment.
The Lecture symbolizes Duke University’s continuing commitment to promoting international understanding.
November 1992
The Honorable Vernon Anthony Walters
March 1995
The Honorable William H. Luers
April 1997
The Honorable Jack F. Matlock, Jr.
November 1998
The Honorable Robert L. Gallucci
October 2000
The Honorable Philip Lader
February 2001
The Honorable James A. Joseph (former-U.S. Ambassador to South Africa)
“Ethics and Diplomacy: What I Learned from Nelson Mandela“
April 2003
The Honorable John O’Leary
“From Old Politics to New Diplomacy: Lesson from Chile on Free Trade in the 21st Century”
November 2004
The Honorable David C. Litt (former US Ambassador to the United Arab Emierates)
“Challenges for Diplomacy in the Age of Terrorism: A Personal View”
November 2006
Diana Villiers Negroponte
“Behind the Foreign Policy Push for Liberal Democracy in the Middle East”
October 2009
Damon Wilson, Mark Lorey & Sonya Wu-Winter
“Pathways of International Service — Experiences and Reflections From Three Duke Alums“
