SPECIAL LECTURE:

ELECTING A PRESIDENT
Instructor:  Thomas W. Evans
(New LLS Faculty Member)

Lecture Description:  Can informed analysis of past campaigns help us to make sense of current ones?  This seminar focuses on the campaigns of two presidents, Nixon and Reagan.  It goes into personal traits and competency, rather than credentials, a methodology that should be used more frequently as voters make their choices this year.  How candidates prepare and deliver their speeches; how their natural skills, personal histories  and family backgrounds shaped their conduct in office; how they worked with their staffs; how they learned the principles that guided them, and whether those principles were articles of faith or of convenience – all lead to insights that can increase our understanding of current candidates.  Finally, Mr. Evans (who has lectured widely on the presidency and on all aspects of campaigns, from fund-raising to political strategy) discusses the question of whether there are significant differences in our political parties today.

Biographical Information:  Thomas W.  Evans is an accomplished attorney, educator, presidential advisor and decorated Korean War veteran.  Evans chaired the Reagan White House’s National Symposium on Partnerships in Education for seven years and served on President Reagan’s Private Sector Initiatives Advisory Council.  Earlier in his career, Evans cut his political teeth when he became a law partner of Richard Nixon, as Nixon made his comeback, ultimately winning the presidency in 1968.  He supervised the 1968 New Hampshire primary, founded a national citizens’ organization, established and ran major national fundraising committees and traveled with the candidate.  Evans has written two books in the field of education and “The Education of Ronald Reagan” is considered one of the most revealing texts on the President.  He has served as an adjunct professor of education and administration and as Board Chair at Columbia University’s Teachers College.