Monday, April 28, 2008

Ambassador Richard Hecklinger '65

From Canton to Bangkok: An SLU graduate's reflections on U.S. foreign policy

Ambassador Richard Hecklinger '65, diplomat and former US ambassador to Thailand, will discuss how his St. Lawrence education led to a career in the U.S. Foreign Service and the Department of State. He'll examine our foreign policy successes and shortcomings, from the Cold War to the global economy, from Vietnam to Iraq, and the challenges facing our next President.

Richard Hecklinger joined the US Foreign Service in 1967. He started his career dealing with the Soviet Union and completed it as Ambassador to Thailand, where he headed one of the largest US embassies in the world. His responsibilities in Thailand included supporting an important military alliance, promoting trade and investment and educational exchange, and partnering with the Thai to address critical regional and global problems such as the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, trafficking in illegal drugs, and international terrorism and crime. Before Thailand, he held senior positions in the Department of State dealing with international economic and energy policy and European and Canadian affairs. In 1990-1991, he played a key role in the US response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
 
In 2002, Ambassador Hecklinger left the Department of State to become the Deputy Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Headquartered in Paris, the OECD grew out of the organization created in 1948 to administer the Marshall Plan for rebuilding Europe. The OECD now has a global reach and promotes effective government policies in practically every non-defense area, from environment to education, and from investment and trade to health and technology. After five years at the OECD, Ambassador Hecklinger returned to Washington, D.C. where he continues his involvement in foreign affairs.
 
Besides his BA from St. Lawrence, Mr. Hecklinger received an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of International Studies (SAIS), and a JD from Harvard Law School. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from St. Lawrence in 2001.
 
Mr. Hecklinger is married to Carol Pratt Hecklinger '64 who also pursued a career in public service, playing a leading role in US refugee policy at the Department of State. Mrs. Hecklinger is currently a member of the Board of Trustees at St. Lawrence.