March 25, 2008

Ambassador Speaks at Executive Lecture Forum of Jackson, Mississippi
 

On March 20, Ambassador of Hungary Ferenc Somogyi visited Jackson, the capital of the state of Mississippi. His visit was organized by the Radványi Chair in International Security Studies at Mississippi State University.
 

Ambassador Somogyi with Major General Harold Cross (left) and Professor János Radványi (right)

Ambassador Somogyi was the featured speaker on March 20 at the Executive Lecture Forum of Jackson (ELF). His address, titled "Hungary and the United States: Allies and Cooperating Partners," was part of the group's noon luncheon in the downtown University Club.

While in the capital city, the Ambassador addressed the session of the Mississippi State Senate. He visited with Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant and Maj. Gen. Harold Cross, commander of the Military Department of Mississippi. He met with Mr. Leland Speed, Chairman of the Board the Eastover Group Companies, member of the Advisory Board of the ELF, and former Executive Director of Mississippi Development Authority. Ambassador Somogyi also gave an interview to Mississippi Public Radio.
 

Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant and Ambassador Ferenc Somogyi in the State Senate

In June 1996, Mississippi State University established the Chair in International Security Studies to enhance the scope of opportunities for students to gain awareness of international political, economic, and security issues. In May 2000, the University leadership named the Chair the "Radványi Chair in International Security Studies."

Born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1922, János Radványi lived through World War II in his native country. He fought the Germans in the partisan underground until the war ended. He entered diplomatic service in 1947 and was posted in Turkey, France, Switzerland, and Syria. He was appointed to head the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C. in 1962. Five years later for political reasons Ambassador Radványi cut his ties with the Hungarian government. After being granted political asylum, he and his family moved to California. He earned a doctorate in History at Stanford University in 1971. Shortly thereafter, he joined the faculty of the History Department at Mississippi State University. In 1982, he founded and directed the Center for International Security and Strategic Studies. In June of 1996, he became the first chair holder of the newly established Endowed Chair for International Security and Strategic Studies at Mississippi State University.