Former Ohio Governor Richard “Dick” Celeste will reflect on democracy in a divided nation, drawing on his unique experiences in and out of public office over more than four decades, in a free, public lecture at The University of Toledo College of Law on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Celeste’s lecture, titled “Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport,” begins at 6 p.m. in the McQuade Law Auditorium. It continues the College of Law’s Toledo Way Series, named as a nod to well-known collegiality that characterizes the legal community in Toledo.
Former Ohio Governor Richard “Dick” Celeste.
“The Toledo Way Series highlights the importance of civility in both civil discourse and the practice of law,” said Rebecca Zietlow, interim dean of the College of Law. “We are honored to have Governor Celeste speak about this important topic and share his experience and insights as a former governor of this politically divided state, as well as ambassador to India, head of the Peace Corps and president of the prestigious Colorado College.”
Event parking is free in Areas 12, 12S and 12W, excluding disability, metered and reserved spaces. For more information, go to the College of Law website.
Celeste served two terms as the governor of Ohio from 1983 to 1991. Raised in Lakewood, Ohio, and educated at Yale University and as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, he brought a robust public service resume to the state’s top elected position including experiences as director of the Peace Corps, a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and lieutenant governor under James Rhodes. Beginning in 1975, Celeste and Rhodes’ term was the last time that a Democrat (Celeste) and a Republican (Rhodes) would serve together as governor and lieutenant governor in Ohio, which introduced shared tickets in 1978.
After his terms as governor, Celeste headed a small economic development consultancy in Columbus before serving as ambassador to India from 1997 to 2001 and the president of Colorado College from 2002 to 2011.
Today he remains active on several corporate and nonprofit boards. He and his wife, Jacqueline, share a son, Sam, and he has six adult children from a previous marriage.
In “Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport,” Celeste will reflect on challenges he faced as governor four decades ago and his perspective as a citizen today.
The Toledo Way Series is set to continue with three events in the spring semester.
