Many students are anxiously anticipating the upcoming April 19 visit of former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner will be visiting campus at 4 p.m. to present a speech to students and faculty about the current challenges of Russian democracy.
Diplomacy sophomore, Terrence Golden said he is “very eager” to hear what the Russian leader had to say.
“I look forward to hearing him speak,” Golden said.
This is the second time this year that the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations has hosted a Nobel Peace Prize winner. In the fall semester, the university welcomed former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres.
“I am looking forward to hearing another Nobel Peace Prize winner speak here,” junior Kristina Horton said. “This is perfect timing as well. Twenty years after Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost and perestroika, it will be very intriguing to hear his views.”
Students’ interests may be piqued due to the recent publicity surrounding the 20th anniversary of democracy in Russia.
Sophomore Nicholas Curl said: “I think its impressive that the man who presided over the fall of the Soviet Union is speaking to us. He ushered in the post-Cold War era, which defined international relations up until 9/11.”
While not all students may be aware of Gorbachev’s accomplishments and policies in the Soviet Union, many are still excited about his visit and understand the importance of his presence.
“I really am not familiar with Gorbachev and the Soviet Union, but I still think that it’s really exciting that he’s coming here of all places,” sophomore Nickolas Lioudis said.
He added, “I plan to take advantage of the opportunity to hear him speak and hopefully learn more about him and what he achieved.”
His speech will be held in Walsh Gymnasium, and every one must be seated by 3 p.m. Tickets are no longer available.
Rebeckah Piotrowski can be reached at piotrore@shu.edu.
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