February 11, 2011 - The McConnell Center welcomed the 47th Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, as a part of the McConnell Center's Distinguished Speakers series.

Throughout the past 25 years, McConnell Center has made a lasting impact on the Kentuckiana region, funding more than $3.5 million in student scholarships and providing continuing civics education opportunities for high school educators. But what the center is most known for is its Distinguished Speaker Series, which provides its McConnell Scholars exclusive access to a multitude of high-powered, international world leaders.

The series kicked off on Oct. 5, 1993 when it welcomed then-U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz. 

In the second part of a three-part series celebrating the center’s silver anniversary, we provide a look back at some of the other political heavyweights who’ve also visited the Belknap campus, helping to establish the McConnell Center one of the most acclaimed academic programs in the country:

Senator Marco Rubio – March 25, 2013 - Spoke to the McConnell Scholars about the American dream, the economy and the value of higher education.
Senator Marco Rubio – March 25, 2013 – Spoke to the McConnell Scholars about the American dream, the economy and the value of higher education.
House Majority Leader John Boehner – Oct. 31, 2011: Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner discussed jobs, the economy and the institution of the House at the University of Louisville.
House Majority Leader John Boehner – Oct. 31, 2011: Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner discussed jobs, the economy and the institution of the House at the University of Louisville.
President George Bush - March 2, 2007: U.S. President George W. Bush spoke privately to McConnell Scholars at the University of Louisville.
March 2, 2007: President George W. Bush held a private question and answer session with the McConnell Scholars. He visited as a part of the McConnell Center’s Distinguished Speaker Series.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - April 9, 2010: U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave a public talk entitled, “No Greater Danger: Protecting our Nation and Allies from Nuclear Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – April 9, 2010: U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave a public talk entitled, “No Greater Danger: Protecting our Nation and Allies from Nuclear Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation.”
U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice - March 8, 2004: U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice spoke about President Bush's foreign policy objectives and strategies as a guest of the McConnell Center.
U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice – March 8, 2004: U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice spoke about President Bush’s foreign policy objectives and strategies as a guest of the McConnell Center.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts - April 18, 2009: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts spoke at the Cardinal Arena in the Swain Student Activities Center as a guest of the McConnell Center.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts – April 18, 2009: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts spoke at the Cardinal Arena in the Swain Student Activities Center as a guest of the McConnell Center.
Senator Ted Kennedy - April 3, 2006: U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) spoke at the University of Louisville as a guest of the McConnell Center.
Senator Ted Kennedy – April 3, 2006: U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) spoke at the University of Louisville as a guest of the McConnell Center.
Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam -  April 10, 2010: 11th President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presented his lecture entitled, "Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power of Youth" at the University of Louisville as a guest of the McConnell Center.
On April 12, 2010, The McConnell Center welcomed the former president of India, Abdul Kalam to The University of Louisville. President Kalam had a panel discussion in the law school.

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Matt Lambert
Matt has served in multiple communications and marketing roles since joining UofL in 2012 and is currently a communications specialist in charge of national media outreach for research and academics. He came to UofL following a successful tenure as the Associate Director of Public Affairs and External Relations at Loyola University New Orleans. In his 20-plus year career in communications, Matt has worked as an award-winning journalist, owned his own political consulting firm and served as a communications director in the U.S. Congress. He is not only employed by UofL, but also a recent graduate, earning his MBA from the College of Business in May 2016.