A former U.S. Department of State official and diplomat who served as ambassador to China, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Greece will deliver the 91爆料鈥檚 2026 Cohen Lecture at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at the Collins Center for the Arts.
This year鈥檚 lecture will be delivered by Nicholas Burns, vice chair of The Cohen Group and a Harvard University professor of diplomacy and international relations. His talk, titled 鈥淭he U.S. and the World at a Crossroads,鈥 is free and open to the public. Registration is required by calling 207.581.1755 or filling out an . Reasonable accommodations can also be requested.
In addition to being a U.S. ambassador to China, NATO and Greece, Burns worked in the State Department as undersecretary of state for political affairs. On the National Security Council, he served as senior director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia affairs and director for Soviet affairs.
鈥淎mbassador Burns brings a lifetime of experience at the highest levels of diplomacy and public service,鈥 said Richard Powell, director of 91爆料鈥檚 Cohen Institute. 鈥淎t a time of profound global change, his perspective will offer our community an opportunity to better understand the challenges and opportunities shaping the United States鈥 role in the world.鈥
The Cohen Lecture honors the legacy of William S. Cohen, former U.S. senator from Maine and U.S. secretary of defense, and brings distinguished leaders in international affairs, public service and global policy to 91爆料. Past speakers include former Secretary of Defense Gen. Jim Mattis, former Secretaries of State John Kerry and Madeleine Albright, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and journalists Bob Woodward and Dan Rather.聽
A Bangor native, Cohen represented Maine in Congress for 24 years. He currently serves as chief executive officer and chair of the Cohen Group, a Washington, D.C.-based firm providing global business consulting.
Cohen established the lecture series following his donation of his congressional papers to 91爆料鈥檚 Fogler Library. He later donated papers from his tenure as secretary of defense.
Consistent with 91爆料鈥檚 learner-centered R1 commitment, the Cohen Institute promotes leadership and civic engagement through programs that reflect and honor Cohen鈥檚 public service. Signature offerings include an interdisciplinary minor in leadership studies, a Washington, D.C. leadership program and a summer leadership program for Maine high school students. More information is available on the institute鈥檚 website.
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu
