Hipp Center

Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security

Founded in 2011, the Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security is designed to create signature events at Wofford College. The goal of these events is to capture the attention of students and the public and draw them into important conversations on applying American leadership and ideals to the challenges of international affairs past, present and future. The lecture series is made possible through the generous donations of Wofford alumnus Van D. Hipp Jr. '82, who is personally involved in the selection of each speaker, along with Dr. William DeMars and his committee of faculty colleagues.

All Hipp Lectures on International Affairs and National Security are designed to be ongoing learning experiences that stay with Wofford students and faculty long after the events are over. Once a speaker has been chosen, faculty in the Department of Government at Wofford research events related to the lecture the speaker will give, and readings, videos and small group discussions with the speaker are incorporated into the classroom in several departments.

On-Campus/Virtual Lectures and Events

April 22, 2024 — Terry Branstad, former U.S. ambassador to China, the longest serving governor in American History, chairman of the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce and president of the World Food Prize Foundation. View a video of the event here.

Oct. 9, 2023 — Vivek Ramaswamy, a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States, gave a talk and took questions. View a video of the event here.

Sept. 26, 2023 — Ed McMullen, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland, spoke as part of the Hipp Lecture Series on International Affairs and National Security. McMullen discussed “21st Century Diplomacy: An Ambassador’s Perspective.” View a video of the event here.

April 21, 2023 — Jessica Lewis, the U.S. State Department’s assistant secretary of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, discussed current international conflicts and government careers with Wofford College students. View a video of the event here.

Jan. 17, 2023 — A special Battle of Cowpens anniversary commemoration event with keynote address by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. View a video of the event here.

Oct. 18, 2022 — Mike Pence, the 48th vice president of the United States, Leonard Auditorium. View a video of the event here.

Oct. 4, 2022 — Mike Rogers, former U.S. Congressman, “The Importance of the American Dream at Home and Abroad.” View a video of the event here.

Sept. 7, 2021 — Gov. David M. Beasley, Jerome Johnson Richardson Theatre, Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts. View a video of the event here.

The Battle of Cowpens, painted by William Ranney in 1845.

January 26, 2021 — Jim Lighthizer and Catherine Noyes, from the American Battlefield Trust, and Doug Bostick, from the South Carolina Battleground Trust, present their joint initiative, The Liberty Trail. View a video of the event here.

November 17, 2020 — Dr. Dave Gangemi, a leading expert on the development of rapid responses to emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Read Dr. Dave Gangemi's biography. View a video of the event here.

October 30, 2019 — CBS News chief Washington, D.C., correspondent Major Garrett spoke about covering the presidency, Capitol Hill and his latest book, “Mr. Trump’s Wild Ride: The Thrills, Chills, Screams and Occasional Blackouts of an Extraordinary Presidency.” View a video of the event here.

March 12, 2019 — Alberto Gonzales, former U.S. Attorney General, spoke about the topic "On Service and Sacrifice." The event was moderated by Van Hipp '82. View a video of the event here.

April 30, 2018 — The youngest grandson of World War II's Gen. George S. Patton Jr., Ben Patton, and the great-great-grandson of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Kevin Chiucchini, spoke about their historic ancestors. View a video of the event here.

December 2, 2015 — Dr. Ben Carson, former Republican presidential candidate, spoke as part of the Commander-in-Chief Presidential Forum series. The event was moderated by Van Hipp '82. View a video of the event here.

November 20, 2015 — President Donald Trump spoke as part of the Commander-in-Chief Presidential Forum series. The event was moderated by Van Hipp '82.

December 1, 2014 — George Pataki, former governor of New York, spoke to the Wofford community about leading the state through the events of 9/11 and other events during his tenure as governor in a lecture titled "The Challenge of Leadership." View his lecture here.

March 4, 2014 — Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon and the lunar module pilot on Apollo 11, spoke about his moon walk and other experiences in space, and his vision for the exploration of Mars. View a video of the event here.

November 1, 2012 — Michael Reagan, son of the late President Ronald Reagan, spoke about his father's relationship with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in a lecture entitled "Reagan and Gorbachev: The Unlikely Friendship that Ended the Cold War."

May 3, 2012 — Edward C. Nixon, brother of late President Richard M. Nixon, spoke about retracing his brother's footsteps on the president's historic trip to China in 1972 and about the future of U.S.-China relations.

November 12, 2011 — Aired on CBS during the 2011 primary season, the Republican Presidential Candidate Debate brought eight candidates to Wofford's campus for a 90-minute debate. The event was moderated by Scott Pelley from CBS and Major Garrett from the National Journal.