Augustana University and the Center for Western Studies (CWS) announced today the 29th Boe Forum on Public Affairs will feature an evening with Former NATO Supreme Allied Cmdr. James "Jim" Stavridis - a 4-star U.S. Navy admiral, New York Times best-selling author, Bloomberg Opinion columnist and senior military analyst for CNN. His talk, entitled "Geopolitics Beyond the Horizon: 21st Century Global Risk and Opportunity," will be held at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 26, in the Elmen Center on Augustana's campus.

"The Board of Directors of the Center for Western Studies is proud to welcome former NATO Allied Supreme Cmdr. James Stavridis as the next speaker in the Boe Forum series. At this time of geopolitical uncertainty, Adm. Stavridis will provide attendees with a unique perspective on events in Europe, South America and the Mideast. Gov. Nils Boe, himself a Naval officer, would, I'm sure, be pleased," said Dr. Harry Thompson, executive director of the CWS - the sponsor of the Boe Forum.

Stavridis, a Florida native who speaks three languages and earned a Ph.D. in international relations, served in the U.S. Navy for 37 years. His many commands included four years as the 16th supreme allied commander at NATO, where he oversaw operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans and counter piracy off the coast of Africa. He also led the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, charged with military operations through Latin America.

Stavridis is the longest-serving combatant commander in recent U.S. history. Over the course of his career in the Navy, he served as senior military assistant to the secretary of the Navy and secretary of defense. Stavridis led the Navy's premier operational think tank for innovation, known as Deep Blue, immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The Navy veteran also commanded a destroyer squadron and carrier strike group - both in combat.

Following his military career, Stavridis also served five years as the 12th dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

In addition to hundreds of leading journal articles, Stavridis has published a total of 15 books on leadership, character, risk, the oceans, maritime affairs and Latin America. Two of his most popular books include "To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision" and "2034: A Novel of the Next World War," which was a New York Times bestseller and published in 22 languages. His book, "2054," explores artificial intelligence and geopolitics, and "The Restless Wave" provides a gripping account of the U.S. Navy's battles in the early years of World War II. His most recent book, "The Admiral's Bookshelf," highlights 25 essential leadership lessons drawn from classic works of literature.

An active user of social networks, Stavridis tweeted the end of combat operations in the Libyan NATO intervention. He has tens of thousands of followers on social media and his 2012 TED Talk on 21st century security has nearly 800,000 views.

"Once again, the Boe Forum on Public Affairs will bring to our community one of the most respected thought leaders of our time. Adm. Stavridis brings invaluable historical perspective and real-world insight to some of the most complex geopolitical challenges shaping our world today. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we look forward to welcoming him to Augustana University and deepening our shared understanding of the global risks and opportunities that define this moment," said Augustana President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Stavridis has been awarded more than 50 U.S. and international medals and decorations, including 28 from foreign nations. His recognitions include the Battenberg Cup for commanding the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet and the Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational leadership.

Tickets for the 29th Boe Forum are free and available to the public beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 8 a.m. To secure your ticket, visit augie.edu/BoeTickets.

About the Boe Forum

Through the Boe Forum on Public Affairs, the CWS at Augustana has hosted many of the world's most influential leaders. Past Boe Forum speakers include:

• Jon Meacham, presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author (2025)
• New York Times Opinion Columnist, PBS NewsHour Commentator and Bestselling Author David Brooks (2024)
• Former Prime Minister of Norway and Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland (2023)
• Former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation Dr. Michael A. McFaul (2022)
• Physician-Scientist and Harvard Professor of Medicine Dr. Robert Green and Leading Futurist Dr. Jamie Metzl (2021)
• Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein (2019)
• 66th U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (2018)
• Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (2017)
• Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia (2016, in memoriam)
• Microsoft Executive Robbie Bach (2014)
• Governor of Utah and U.S. Ambassador to China and Singapore Jon Huntsman (2013)
• Director of Google Ideas Jared Cohen (2012)
• U.N. Human Rights High Commissioner Mary Robinson (2011)
• U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (2010)
• President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf (2009)
• Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor (2008)
• President and First Lady of Mexico Vicente Fox and Marta Fox (2007)
• Vice President Al Gore (2007)
• Presidential Envoy to Iraq L. Paul Bremer (2006)
• Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani (2004)
• Susan Dentzer together with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich (2003)
• Jordan's Queen Noor (2001)
• Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1999)
• First Lady of the United States Barbara Bush (1998)
• Prime Minister of Great Britain John Major (1998)
• President of the former Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev (1996)
• President George H. W. Bush (1995)
• Colin Powell (1995)