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Once a year, during the Hendrickson Forum, Saint Mary’s brings an internationally recognized speaker to its Minneapolis Campus to engage Saint Mary’s faculty, staff, and students, and the wider community in timely and important conversations. From global migration to microfinance, and world-altering events to the new world order, the forum is a venue for thought-provoking information and discussion. Past speakers have included Nicholas Christakis, Jonathan Haidt, the late Cokie Roberts, Zanny Minton-Beddoes, Jon Huntsman, Jr., James Stavridis, Sheila Bair, Ian Bremmer, John Micklethwait, and more.

David Brooks

This year, on Tuesday, April 18, author and major political and social analyst David Brooks will serve as the keynote. Brooks has a gift for bringing audiences face to face with the spirit of our times with humor, insight and quiet passion. He is a keen observer of the American way of life and a savvy analyst of present-day politics and foreign affairs. He holds several prestigious positions as a commentator including serving as a bi-weekly op-ed columnist for the New York Times and as a regular analyst on PBS NewsHour and NPR’s All Things Considered.

His New York Times bestseller, The Road to Character, “explains why selflessness leads to greater success. He tells the story of ten great lives that illustrate how character is developed, and how we can all strive to build rich inner lives, marked by humility and moral depth. In a soci- ety that emphasizes success and external achievement, The Road to Character is a book about inner worth.”

In his most recent book, The Second Mountain: The Quest for a Moral Life (Random House), David explores the four commitments that define a life of meaning and purpose: to a spouse and family, to a vocation, to a philosophy or faith, and to a community.

Brooks is currently teaching a course at Yale University. He holds honorary degrees from Williams College, New York University, Brandeis University, Occidental College, among others. In 2010, Brooks became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He has worked at The Weekly Standard, joining the magazine at its inception and serving as senior editor. He has been a contributing editor at Newsweek and the Atlantic Monthly. He worked at The Wall Street Journal for nine years in a range of positions, including op-ed editor.

Also at the forum, a local leader receives the Hendrickson Institute Medal for Ethical Leadership. Recipients of the Hendrickson Medal for Ethical Leadership have made significant contributions to the Twin Cities community and exhibit ethical leadership that is globally oriented and innovative or creative; citizenship that significantly improves the lives of others’ appreciation for diverse ideas and perspectives; and a commitment to inspiring emerging leaders. Past medal recipients include Rhoda Olsen of Great Clips, Inge Thulin of 3M, Mary Brainerd of HealthPartners, Brad Hewitt of Thrivent Financial, Mary Jane Melendez of General Mills, Tony Sanneh of the Sanneh Foundation, and more. This year’s recipient will be announced at a later date.

Watch for more information soon at smumn.ed/hendricksonforum.

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