Friday Oct 23, 2026
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Friday, October 23, 2026
5:00 reception
6:00 panel discussion
Old State Capitol Historic Site
526 E. Adams St.
Springfield, IL 62701
Free and open to the public
Joyce Nardulli
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The World Affairs Council of Central Illinois (WACCI) announces a special evening Portraits of American Diplomacy with a reception, exhibit, and panel presentation on October 23 at the Old State Capitol.
In 1776, America's diplomats helped win the American Revolution, and over the past 250 years, they have continued to make our country safer, stronger, and more prosperous. The exhibit of 21 large panels highlights the role of diplomacy beginning with Benjamin Franklin, through two world wars, the Cold War, and into the 21st Century. Featured speaker, Tom Selinger, from the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training, will share stories of Illinois diplomats, and a panel of former diplomats will engage in discussion about their roles.
The panel will include Gordon Duguid, former NATO Senior Foreign Service Officer, and Kathy Johnson (Springfield), former U.S. diplomat who served on four continents; the discussion will be moderated by Jeff Trimble, past journalist with U.S. News and World Report.
Printed courtesy of www.gscc.org/ – Contact the The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce for more information.
501 E. Capitol Ave., Suite A, Springfield, IL 62701 – (217) 525-1173 – receptiondesk@gscc.org