Held on the day the McConnell Center was founded in 1991, the program began with a reception, giving attendees a chance to reconnect and celebrate the center’s past 35 years.

During the event, the center unveiled, “America’s Autobiography: Key Documents that Tell Our Story.” This initiative pairs a new book of key documents with a companion podcast and video series, featuring commentary from scholars and experts.

McConnell Center Director Gary Gregg’s remarks focused on the hundreds of teachers and thousands of students the center has been able to serve over the decades.

“Tonight we celebrate the McConnell Center’s work in civic education — in nurturing, teaching and inspiring generations of young citizens and their teachers,” Gregg said. “It all began with the very foundations of the center in the political science department and those early faculty…who taught our first generation of McConnell Scholars to be good citizens and leaders.”

During the program, Justin Mitchell, a social studies teacher at Franklin-Simpson Middle School and former participant in the center’s Teachers Scholars Program, was presented the Henry Clay Cup for Exemplary Service in Civic ����ֱ��, recognizing his contributions to civic learning in Kentucky. He is only the third recipient in the history of the award.

The celebration concluded with a keynote address by the Honorable Chris Gibson, former U.S. Congressman and retired U.S. Army Colonel, who reflected on the importance of civic responsibility and leadership.��

“America’s Autobiography: Key Documents that Tell Our Story” will be released in May and can be purchased at . All proceeds from the book will benefit the McConnell Center’s Civic ����ֱ�� Fund.

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Article by Natalie Tracy

Since 1993, the series has hosted prominent guests including U.S. presidents, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and congressional and international leaders.

Capito was the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from West Virginia. She currently serves as the only female member of the Republican Party leadership as the Policy Committee Chair.

During the discussion held at Chao Auditorium and , moderators and Macy Waddle and Kara Beth Poe asked Capito questions about her path to politics, her approach to bipartisanship policy solutions and the ongoing government shutdown.��

When asked why she chose to pursue leadership roles, Capito said she selected committees where she could make an impact and serve her state’s interests, such as the Environment and Public Works Committee. She cited the current permitting process as an example of working across the aisle for the greater good.

“You can’t build anything without enormous red tape,” Capito said. “This is a point at which we have great bipartisanship hope, what you end up with is a peak where you are both hungry for it. If we have permitting reform solidly written, this should solve everybody’s issues no matter who is in office.”

A point of pride for Capito is West Virginia Girls Rise Up, a program designed to inspire the next generation of female leaders. Ran out of her office, the initiative empowers middle schoolers by focusing on education, physical fitness and self-confidence. Capito hosts sessions on these topics, sometimes featuring special guests like NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson.

Capito draws motivation from her father, Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. who served in the U.S. Congress and as governor of West Virginia. She hopes to pass that legacy on to her three children.

In his remarks before Capito’s talk, Sen. Mitch McConnell praised Capito for “working with other people’s point of view” and her dedication to making a difference for communities.��

“There has not been a better difference maker in the Senate in my years than Shelley,” McConnell said.

Originally installed in 2009, the McConnell Chao Archives includes a permanent gallery in with exhibits, films and interactive displays about U.S. government, history and politics. This new expansion significantly enhances both the capacity and functionality of the facility with a newly constructed archive storage room to house the collections of McConnell and Chao, which includes 3,768 individual items.

The contemporary space also includes high-density shelving and meets archival standards to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility. Additionally, the project features a newly dedicated digital processing room, the creation of a new research carrel and the installation of a dedicated exhibit showcasing memorabilia related to McConnell.

“Senator McConnell and Secretary Chao have long held a special place in the life of our university, and the expansion of this archive marks yet another milestone in a shared history rooted in service, scholarship and civic leadership,” said UofL President Gerry Bradley. “It’s not just a record of political history — it’s a living resource for students, scholars and citizens who seek to understand and engage with the democratic process.”

“I want to sincerely thank the University of Louisville and the McConnell Center for their hard work, dedication and continued support in preserving and sharing the McConnell Chao Archives. This collection represents decades of public service and provides a front-row view of how our government and institutions operate,” said Senator McConnell. “By preserving these materials, we’re helping foster a deeper understanding of our nation’s political process and the importance of civic engagement. The expansion of the archives marks a continued investment in passing on the lessons of government, leadership and media engagement with the hope of igniting the next generation to take part in shaping the future of our democracy.”

“What a memorable day this is to celebrate the expansion of the McConnell Chao Archives at the University of Louisville,” said Secretary Chao. “In chronicling my life journey of coming as an immigrant to America, working in leadership positions in the public, private and nonprofits sectors, this collection will hopefully serve as an inspiration to current and future generations of the opportunities in this country and the myriad ways to contribute to the betterment of our beloved Commonwealth, nation and world.”

McConnell is Kentucky’s longest-serving senator and earlier this year completed his tenure as the longest-serving Senate party leader in American history. Chao, the first Asian American woman to serve in a cabinet-level position, has served as secretary for the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Transportation.

The senator graduated from UofL in 1964 and served as a student body president. In 1991, he established the McConnell Center, a nonpartisan academic program that prepares students and educators to become top-level leaders.��

Throughout his tenure in the Senate, McConnell has secured over $1.26 billion in federal funding for research and infrastructure at Kentucky universities, including $413 million for the University of Louisville. The expansion of the McConnell Chao Archives was funded in part through private donor philanthropy.

View photos from the Aug. 12 event on .��Watch the celebration event on .

The award, created by members of the Kennedy family in 1989, recognizes public officials at all levels of government whose actions demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership in the spirit of “,” President John F. Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book.

Adams, a 1998 graduate of University of Louisville’s , was presented the award by Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, on June 9 at the  in Boston, Massachusetts.

According to the library, Adams was presented with the award for “expanding voting rights and standing up for free and fair elections despite party opposition and death threats.”

“As our nation heads to the polls this November to choose the next President of the United States, courageous secretaries of state like Michael Adams are on the front lines protecting access to the ballot and ensuring that our nation remains a beacon of democracy,” Caroline Kennedy, Honorary President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, said in a .

“President Kennedy’s admonition to put country before self still resonates today, and rings true now more than ever,” said Adams. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of election officials and poll workers across America who, inspired by his call, sacrifice to keep the American experiment in self-government alive.”

Past winners of the award include former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and U.S. Senator John McCain.

Britt was the 66^th world figure to come to the as part of its . Since 1993, the series has hosted prominent guests including U.S. presidents, cabinet members, Supreme Court justices and congressional and international leaders.

Throughout the one-hour program held at Chao Auditorium and , Britt emphasized the importance of respect and trust, despite party lines. Upon her introduction to the U.S. Senate, Britt became friends with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. Britt expressed that they could collaborate on matters crucial to the public despite any differences.

“We’ve got to have a lot of tough conversations in this county and if ever we want those tough conversations to actually yield results, they are going to have to be honest,” Britt said. “If you are going to be honest, you are going to have to trust and respect the person sitting across from you.”

Britt met with the university’s�� before the public presentation and praised the scholars for their thoughtful questions.

“I was soaking up every bit of hope that these young people gave me,” she said.

Britt also praised McConnell’s leadership and credited him with inviting her on an international trip to engage with foreign leaders on security matters. Reflecting on the experience, she highlighted its lasting impact to encourage her to empower others as well.

“When you march through that door, look back, grab somebody else’s hand and take them with you, because that is exactly what we are going to need to do to have success in this nation,” she said.

In moments of doubt, advice Britt’s grandfather told her continues to guide her. He said she only has control over four things: her character, her integrity, her work ethic and how she treats others. He advised her not to let anything beyond these factors dictate how she viewed herself.

“The world will place limitations on you, but it is the ones you place on yourself that will do the most damage,” Britt said.

In 2023, Britt was sworn in as Alabama’s first elected female senator and is the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate.

In his remarks before Britt’s talk, McConnell said Britt was his “favorite freshman” and “there was no better choice” to give the Republican response to the State of the Union address in March.

The program concluded with a gift — a bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel bourbon from UofL to Britt.

“This is my first trip to Kentucky but I’m hopeful I will be back,” Britt said.

“It’s a win-win for all of us,” she said during an hour-long program in Chao Auditorium that was also .��

“This new Hitler has to be stopped while we can still stop him in Ukraine,” Markarova said. “Otherwise, this conflict will widen and all of us will have to fight.”

Markarova was the latest world figure to come to the McConnell Center as part of its , celebrating its 30th year in 2023.

During that time, more than 60 leaders, beginning with former Secretary of State George P. Schultz, have given talks at the center, said Gary L. Gregg, director of the McConnell Center.

The speakers also meet with the university’s . “I know that the students here really want to make a difference,” Markarova said, praising the students for their insightful questions.��

McConnell introduced Markarova at what he said was “an especially critical moment in the history of our two countries.” 

Markarova repeatedly thanked the United States for its support, especially in the 20 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. She compared Russian aggression with the Hamas attacks on Israel that took place Oct. 7. “We are dealing with the same evil and enemy,” she said.

In her remarks before Markarova’s talk, UofL President Kim Schatzel noted that the McConnell Center has since 1991 been teaching students to be “valued citizens and future leaders.”

The program concluded with an exchange of gifts — a bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel bourbon from UofL to Markarova, and a Ukrainian flag from Markarova to UofL signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the message “Ukraine is brave.”

Of the bourbon, Markarova said, “We’ll keep it at the embassy and we’ll drink it when we win.”

The networks were created by the DoD’s (USCYBERCOM) and (USSTRATCOM) to further military research and build a talent pipeline through education. UofL was the only school selected from Kentucky for both networks and one of only a handful to hold the competitive Carnegie Research-1 classification.

“UofL is honored to have been selected for these academic networks,” said UofL Interim President Lori Gonzalez. “Through these new memberships, we will work hand-in-hand with the DoD to redefine student success through technology-driven curriculum, leverage our strength as a research powerhouse to advance defense innovation and provide the human and other resources necessary to defend and advance cybersecurity in the national interest.”

As one of 84 colleges and universities in the USCYBERCOM Academic Engagement Network, UofL will help further four main thrusts: applied cyber research, applied analytics, strategic issues and building a future workforce. UofL has significant strength in cybersecurity, including via its innovative , focused certifications and a $6.3 million research and curriculum partnership with the National Security Agency.

As one of 60 colleges and universities in , UofL will help further research and analysis of deterrence, assurance and associate strategic-level national security themes in a rapidly changing, multi-domain global threat environment.

“This research addresses some of the grand challenges of our time and could have a huge impact on our world,” said Kevin Gardner, UofL’s executive vice president for research and innovation. “UofL is proud to partner with the DoD, leveraging our research strengths to further defense innovation and engineer a future made possible by cutting-edge technology and ideas.”

The will coordinate students and researchers seeking to engage with the USSTRATCOM network through internships and opportunities to present work through DoD’s annual conferences and publications. The McConnell Center also will work with USSTRATCOM to develop on-campus programming featuring top national security thinkers and war gaming opportunities for students and soldiers.

“Our goal at the McConnell Center is to identify, recruit and nurture the next generation of great civic and military leaders,” said Director Gary Gregg. “The future of Kentucky, and our nation, depends on a strong pipeline of talented, motivated leaders, and we’re proud to partner with the DoD to ensure that pipeline is full.”

This work builds on UofL’s existing work with DoD, including via a recent partnership with the department’s . NSIN is focused on solving national security problems by connecting defense, academic and entrepreneurial innovators in artificial intelligence, bioengineering, autonomous systems and cybersecurity. The agreement also provides students access to DoD internships and employment opportunities.

“UofL has a deep pool of brilliant innovators and students who can help solve these military challenges,” said Will Fortune, who leads the NSIN program at UofL. “Participating in these two new networks is one more way UofL can help these important national security challenges.”

Gary Gregg is featured in “,” a documentary film currently available on Amazon Prime.

Gregg is a recognized national expert on the Electoral College and editor of “.” He has debated the institution to elect the president and vice president of the United States on national television and radio networks including MSNBC, Fox News, NPR and Al Jazeera. He also has written dozens of op-ed pieces on the Electoral College and been regularly quoted in news media.

Gregg said the system of electors is one of the least understood — but most impactful —elements of the U.S. Constitution.

“We think of ourselves as one of the world’s foremost ‘democracies’ and have come to equate that with simple majority will. In reality, we have a democratic republic with particular constitutional math that controls our elections,” he said.

“This constitutional system ensures the founders’ wish to give us a democratic republic wherein the power of the presidency wasn’t given to the winner of simple popular majority but to the candidate who could put together a geographically diverse coalition. That difference has shaped American political life for more than 200 years.”

For more on the documentary, visit .

The college provides graduate-level instruction for selected military, civilian and international officers to prepare them for strategic leadership assignments and responsibilities. Past alumni include Dwight D. Eisenhower and George S. Patton.   

The Harold Keith Johnson Chair, located in the Department of National Security and Strategy, is the college’s most prestigious visiting professorship. The chair holder conducts a seminar, “War, Policy and National Security,” in the fall, then teaches an elective in the spring.

“It’s a great honor,” said Krebs, who, along with his wife, will live in Carlisle for a year. His plans were in motion months before the COVID-19 pandemic, but Krebs said he confirmed his appointment in early April.

Krebs, a military historian, organized an international 2018 military history conference in Louisville that was attended by over 600 military historians. “For history, that’s a fairly big conference,” he laughed.

Afterward, a professor from the War College approached him about applying for the chair. But Krebs, who hails from Germany, declined because he was not yet a U.S. citizen.

That changed last year, and when the War College approached him again, “I said, ‘I am indeed a citizen now, so we can make this happen.’”

Krebs’ elective will address how prisoners of war impact strategic decision-making. Most of his research is related to this issue, which addresses what happens “after the battle,” as opposed to the “planning and crafting of operations.”

“I’ll try to teach them to think of POWs not just while in camp, their treatment,” he said, “but also about what kind of effect POWs have on war-making and the operational and strategic decision-making processes.”

UofL has a strong relationship with the U.S. Army and the education of soldiers. An Army War College Fellow has attended UofL annually for the last six years, an appointment that allows the officer to take classes to help broaden strategic thinking while spending time with university leadership.

In addition, the McConnell Center holds strategic broadening seminars for the Army during the summer months and hundreds of undergraduate ROTC cadets have earned the rank of second lieutenant through UofL.

Krebs has been at UofL since 2007. In addition to teaching military history, he specializes in colonial and revolutionary American history.

The War College’s Johnson Chair is a scholar-in-residence program for visiting professors to teach and conduct research on military history. It is named for Gen. Harold Keith Johnson, who served as chief of staff of the United States Army from 1964 to 1968.

In addition to teaching at the college, Krebs will have an opportunity to pursue individual research and writing projects.  

Pompeo, a graduate of West Point, served as a cavalry officer patrolling the Iron Curtain before the fall of the Berlin Wall. After leaving active duty, Pompeo graduated from Harvard Law School.

He was confirmed as secretary of state on April 26, 2018, after serving as director of the Central Intelligence Agency and, prior, as a congressional representative from Kansas.��

During his McConnell Center speech, Pompeo discussed the three central ideas to President Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach:

1. Realism
2. Restraint
3. Respect

The “realism” principle, he said, means looking at problems “as they are, not as what we want them to be.” Pompeo provided an overview of work done specifically in Latin America as an example of this.

“In just the last few years, we’ve seen some remarkable things. Many nations have made a sharp turn towards democracy, capitalism, good government and away from dictatorship, socialism and corruption that has been endemic in some of those countries,” he said.

He pointed to Bolivia, Cuba and Nicaragua as examples.

“No one in the region any longer believes that authoritarianism is the way forward,” he said, adding that “there is more democratic cooperation in our hemisphere today than in any other part in history.”

Pompeo also touched upon the importance of helping the Venezuelan people move toward achieving freedom, including religious freedom, something he said this administration has taken to heart. Venezuela is currently under the rule of socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.��

“We do [support the Venezuelan people] for a couple of reasons. We support it because people should be able to express their unalienable right to self-government. We support it because political freedom goes hand in hand with economic freedom,” he said. “And we support it because it’s simply the right thing to do.”

Pompeo added that, despite this progress, authoritarian regimes “don’t go away easily,” pointing to Maduro as an example. However, Pompeo noted this presents the administration with an opportunity to approach foreign policy realistically.��

“We’ve tried to drive with moral and strategic clarity the recognition that authoritarianism in our hemisphere is a threat. … We’ve done so in a way that’s been realistic – within the capacity of the American power to achieve the ends that we’re seeking,” he said.

That means, for example, rolling back the Obama administration’s Cuban policy and adding new sanctions on the country.

“We recognized engagement hasn’t improved Cuba’s regime; in fact, the human rights record was worse,” Pompeo said. “We see these tyrants for what they are and we craft policies to confront them, not to appease them.”

For the “restraint” piece, Pompeo said calls for regime change through violent means isn’t always the answer, again pointing to Venezuela as an example.

“What we’ve learned from history, is that the risks for using military force are significant, so we’ve instead worked to deprive Maduro of oil revenue … we’ve been ruthless in attacking the drug cartels and we built a coalition of 57 other allies to maximize the economic and political pressure that we’ve put on the regime,” Pompeo said. “If we do it right and do it well and represent American values, Maduro will fall.”

Pompeo said the Trump Administration will continue to be relentless with restraint, calling “unending pressure and sensible restraint” the right combination.

Finally, Pompeo noted that our foreign policy is built on respect, meaning respect “for our principles as enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution and respect for our neighbors and allies and how they run their affairs.”

Pompeo pointed to border security as one example of striking this respect chord.��

“A poorly secured border violates Americans’ enjoyment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It undermines the rule of law, compromises security, enables human trafficking, and the president has taken on these problems – that’s the basic respect for American ideals,” he said.

Pompeo added that one of his proudest diplomatic successes is working with Mexico to “do more inside of their own country to stop the flow of illegal immigration into the United States.”  

“We didn’t tell them how to run their country; we just insisted they be good neighbors,” he said.

Pompeo said this same approach has yielded an 80-percent drop in intentions to illegally enter the U.S. from Ecuador and therefore a stronger relationship with El Salvador.

Ultimately what the respect tenet comes down to, Pompeo said, is ensuring people’s “yearning to be free” and that includes their religious freedom and economic rights.��

“We’ve seen protests in a number of nations. Those protests reflect the character of legitimate democratic governments,” he said. “We are so blessed here. America remains the greatest example of democracy in the history of the world … I am proud of what we’ve  done in the region. Whatever the day brings, we’ll approach it with realism, restraint and support.”

A brief Q&A with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell followed Pompeo’s remarks. During that time, Pompeo touted the Trump Administration’s reversal of the Obama Administration’s Iranian Nuclear Agreement, noting that the sanctions put into place instead have worked without affecting the Iranian people.��

He also reiterated that the U.S. stands behind protesters in Hong Kong, calling on China to honor its 1997 commitment to offer autonomy and freedoms.

Finally, he discussed President Trump’s trip to London for the NATO Summit this week. Pompeo, who will be joining the president during the trip, said there are three priorities: to make sure NATO is prepared to fight new challenges, such as cyber threats; to increase NATO’s role in fighting terrorism; and to share the financial burden of a collective defense with other NATO countries.  

Pompeo, the 70th secretary of state in U.S. history, is the seventh secretary of state to speak at the University of Louisville, following George Shultz, Madeleine Albright, James Baker, Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice and Hillary Clinton.��

Here’s video from the event: