Press contact: Lynn Whalen

SPRINGFIELD – “The Future of U.S. Diplomacy,” a presentation and public forum with Ambassador (Ret.) Charles Ray, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m.-noon in the Trutter Center at Lincoln Land Community College. The public is invited at no charge.

Ambassador Ray will discuss the landmark actionable report, “Blueprints for a More Modern U.S. Diplomatic Service,” which provides recommendations on how the U.S. organizes and executes its diplomacy. Attendees are invited to voice their opinions on the recommendations in the report.

During his 30-year career as a Foreign Service Officer, Ambassador Ray was posted to China, Thailand, Sierra Leone and Vietnam. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring with the rank of Major. 

The presentation is sponsored by LLCC and the World Affairs Council of Central Illinois. 

The ambassador will also meet with the LLCC Honors Program Leadership Class taught by Dr. Chris McDonald from 9-10 that morning in the Trutter Center.