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On April 16, 1985, of audience of 3,000 people gathered at Central Connecticut State University to hear former President Jimmy Carter deliver the annual Robert C. Vance Lecture at Welte Hall. President Carter's speech, titled "American Leadership in a Changing World," drew approximately 3,000 people to campus.
After Carter's speech, Central President F. Don James, Vice President for Academic Affairs H.B. Jestin, and Executive Dean Richard L. Judd presented President Carter with an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters, the first ever awarded by the university.
In part, the commendation reads, “For your personal, compassionate concern for people, for your friendship with Connecticut, and for your interest in education, Central Connecticut State University is itself honored to welcome you officially into the family of The Connecticut State University.”
The Robert C. Vance Lecture Series ran from 1983 to 2015 to honor the late Robert C. Vance, a widely respected journalist who was editor and publisher of The Herald in New Britain from 1951 to 1959. The lecture series brought speakers of national and international prominence to the campus and the central Connecticut community.
Watch Carter’s lecture on Central’s YouTube channel.