LOCAL

Vanderbilt to host John Bolton, Anderson Cooper, others for spring lecture series

Rachel Wegner
Nashville Tennessean
Former national security adviser John Bolton is set to speak at Vanderbilt University on Feb. 19.

Vanderbilt University will host lectures this spring with actress and activist America Ferrera, former national security advisers John Bolton and Susan Rice, and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. 

The talks are part of the Chancellor's Lecture Series, which focuses on conversations about the increasingly connected global community. 

“The spring lineup of speakers is a reflection of our continued commitment to engage new ideas, open our minds and wrestle with topics that have an impact locally and globally,” interim Chancellor and Provost Susan R. Wente said in a university release.

Each event is free and will be held at Langford Auditorium at 2209 Garland Ave. 

Speakers offer views on activism, foreign policy, global news

Ferrera is set to speak Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Known for her current role on NBC show "Superstore" and her past role on ABC's "Ugly Betty," she has been outspoken on issues such as immigration and women's rights. 

Bolton and Rice will speak on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Bolton served under President Donald Trump and made headlines this month after saying he would testify in Trump's impeachment trial if the Senate subpoenaed him.

Former national security adviser Susan Rice speaks at the J Street 2018 National Conference on April 16, 2018, in Washington.

Rice served as national security adviser to President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017. Known for her career in public service and national security, she recently wrote the New York Times bestselling book "Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting for."

Cooper will speak on March 15 at 3:30 p.m. The "Anderson Cooper 360°" host has worked in 40 countries, covered major global news and been a key player in political and election coverage, according to the release.

Anderson Cooper, right, and his CNN crew visit Nashville on May 6, 2010, to report on flood damage and the recovery effort.

The university will also co-host lectures by Grammy-nominated singer Janelle Monáe and author and Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at Langford Auditorium. A Martin Luther King Jr. Day vigil will precede the lecture at 5:30 p.m. Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy will also speak on May 7 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Gym. 

Although the lectures are free, the university encourages RSVPs. 

More information on the lecture series can be found through Vanderbilt's website.

Rachel Wegner is a digital producer and reporter for The Tennessean. Reach her at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.