Kennedy Political Union

Created by William Hubbard on 02/04/2010 // Last Update on 02/17/10

Each year, the Kennedy Political Union (KPU) at American University hosts a unique lecture series that attempts to bring the words and wisdom of engaging, informative, and inspiring speakers to the students and greater campus community. In 1968, Founder Tom Block, working in conjunction with then Student Government President Luiz Simmons, established the lecture series at American University. Resting on a foundation of academia, the KPU sought to offer students a view into the political process and overall political arena. Named after President John F. Kennedy in commemoration of his famous address to the campus community in June of 1961, the Kennedy Political Union, after 40 unique lecture series’, has become one of American University’s most honored treasures. The Director, Executive Staff, and volunteers of the KPU work to uphold the tradition of presenting an award-winning lecture series each academic year. From the first KPU speaker Kennedy speechwriter Theodore Sorenson to last year’s 35th anniversary lecture with Nobel Peace Prize Winner Desmond Tutu , we seek to demonstrate and enhance the variety of views represented in the American University community and thus engage all members in intellectual and academic discussions of issues of national and global magnitude. Over the years, the KPU has hosted speeches by Washington Post reporter and author Bob Woodward, Former Speaker of the House Tip O’ Neill, Civil Rights Activist Coretta Scott King, General and Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, and his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. As new political issues arise, as new public officials claim a place in history, and as new students embark on political and civic journeys of their own, the Kennedy Political Union will chronicle the events of our ever-changing world through the words of the world’s best advocates for the leaders of tomorrow.

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