3/15/2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan governor James J. Blanchard will give a public lecture on Thursday, March 29, at 4 p.m. in Gold Rooms A & B of the MSU Union on the campus of Michigan State University.
Blanchard, Michigan's governor from 1983 to 1990, will speak on public relations in a talk entitled, "Public Relations and Public Office." His appearance is sponsored by the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences and is the second annual talk in the Edward Zabrusky Public Relations Lecture Series.
"Jim Blanchard has had a long and distinguished record of public service, from congressman to governor to ambassador," said James D. Spaniolo, dean of MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences. "I can't think of anyone in a better position to discuss public relations in the context of serving in public office."
Prior to serving as governor for two consecutive terms, Blanchard served four terms as an U.S. congressman representing suburban Detroit. He authored the Chrysler Loan Guarantee Act of 1980 and distinguished himself on issues of jobs and economic development. While in Congress, Blanchard also closely monitored federal programs affecting the quality and preservation of the Great Lakes, introducing the Great Lakes Protection Act of 1982.
Blanchard served as U.S. ambassador to Canada from 1993 to 1996. He currently works as an international lawyer and also serves as a corporate director for several international businesses dealing with trade and technology. Along with Janet Blanchard, he also founded Next Century Michigan, a political action group devoted to encouraging young candidates to enter public service and politics in Michigan. He served as a spokesman for presidential candidate Al Gore in Michigan and also served as honorary co-chair of the anti-private voucher campaign in the 2000 election.
Blanchard practices law in Michigan and Washington, D.C., and is a partner in the law firm of Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson and Hand. He holds a B.A. and a M.B.A. from Michigan State University and a law degree (JD) from the University of Minnesota.
The lectureship is named for former MSU News Bureau Chief Ed Zabrusky, who retired from MSU in 1994 after almost 40 years of public relations work for the university. Ed worked with eight MSU presidents, including John Hannah and current MSU President Peter McPherson, and helped dozens of PR professionals launch their careers.
The presentation is free and open to the public.