The late Richard P. Gifford was a vice president for General Electric and a leader in the business, civic, educational, and religious life of the Lynchburg community. After his death, friends and business colleagues established in his honor and memory an endowment to bring to the Lynchburg College campus and local community a series of outstanding and nationally recognized executives and scholars in business, leadership, and economics.
Past Gifford Lectures
Dr. Nariman Behravesh (2006)
Chief Economist and executive vice president for Global Insight (ranked #1 in USA Today's 2004 list of top economic forecasters), directs the company's entire forecasting process and develops the economic outlook and risk analysis for the United States, Europe, Japan, and emerging markets.
Governor Angus King (2006)
Angus King has a background in business, education and law. He was the independent governor of Maine from 1995 to 2003. Policy focus during his terms included economic development and job creation, education, mental health services, corrections, land conservation and environmental protection, and improvements in service delivery by state government.
Jeremy Rifkin (2005)
President, Foundation on Economic Trends, author of The European Dream (2004), The Age of
Access (2000), and The Hydrogen Economy (2001).
Jean Chatzky (2004)
Financial expert for Money magazine and NBC's Today Show.
William S. Cohen (2002)
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense and former U.S. senator, chairman and CEO of The Cohen Group,
a Washington, D.C.-based strategic business consulting firm; NBC and MSNBC world affairs
analyst; and CNN Lou Dobbs Moneyline regular commentator.
Janet Reno (2001)
Former U.S. Attorney General in the Clinton Administration (1992 - 2000), serving during a period
of greatly reduced crime. Mrs. Reno is also the former State's Attorney for Dade County (Florida).
Horst Schulze (2001)
Former president and COO and current vice chairman of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company,
continuously voted "best hotel company in the world" by convention and trade publications.
Marshall Loeb (2000)
Leading Financial Journalist, CBS Marketwatch.com Inc. Web Columnist, Former Managing Editor for Fortune and Money magazines.
Wally Amos (1999)
Founder, Famous Amos Cookies, Author, and Literacy Advocate.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (1997)
Chief Prosecuting Attorney, Hudson Riverkeeper; Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council; Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney, Pace University School of Law.
Elaine Chao (1997)
U.S. Secretary of Labor, Bush Administration; Former Fellow, Heritage Foundation, Former President and CEO of United Way, and Former Director, Peace Corps.
Mike Jensen (1996)
NBC Chief Financial Correspondent and Award Winning Broadcast Journalist.