Community Calendar

Dr. Nora Donoghue, Gonzaga University

Dr. Donoghue visits Poggio Civitate in this archaeological lecture on this Etruscan settlement located in Tuscany, Italy.

Shamyra Lavigne-Davey is a native of St. James, Louisiana and a third generation Human Rights activist. In 2020, Shamyra became the Executive Assistant to the Founder/Director of RISE St. James Louisiana, a faith-based grassroots nonprofit organization fighting for the eradication of petrochemical emissions in the river parishes also known as “Cancer Alley”. Shamyra is a 2023 Young, Gifted, And Green: 40 Under 40 Award recipient and a 2023 and 2024 Essence Festival featured panelist. Shamyra currently serves as an Advisor on the Conceptual Committee for the Frontline Resource Institute (FRI).

Shamyra explains the history and current state of environmental racism in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley". Shamyra is the Executive Assistant at RISE St. James Louisiana, is a faith-based, grassroots, nonprofit organization fighting for clean air and water as well as the eradication and expansion of petrochemical industries in St. James Parish and the surrounding river parishes. Register at https://www.gonzaga.edu/climate-institute

We are nearing the end of the first year of the second Trump Administration. The President is trying to play the
role of peacemaker and has actively been involved in the negotiations of several conflicts around the globe.
How are his efforts paying off? How are his actions and results viewed by other world leaders. Should he be
considered for the Nobel Peace Prize?
How are Trumps tariffs working? Has the use of tariffs been effective? Have they helped or hurt the U.S.
economy or the world economy? How do they affect American diplomacy?
How is the U.S. State department doing in the current Trump Administration? What have been some of the
consequences of the elimination of the USAID Agency?

Ambassador Crocker will present his thoughts and insights on these events and the potential geopolitical future. His presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. Join us for what
promises to be a very interesting and thought-provoking event.

Bio: Ambassador Crocker served as United States Ambassador to Afghanistan (2011–2012), Iraq (2007–2009), Pakistan (2004–2007), Syria (1998–2001), Kuwait (1994– 1997), and Lebanon (1990–1993). In September 2004, President Bush conferred on him the diplomatic rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the Foreign Service, equivalent to a four-star officer in the military. Crocker was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, by President George W. Bush in January 2009. In January 2010, he became Dean of Texas A&M University's George Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Although retired from the State Department and the Foreign Service, Crocker was called upon by the Obama
Administration and nominated by President Barack Obama in April 2011 to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to
Afghanistan. The appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate by unanimous consent on June 30,
2011. When he stepped down in July 2012 as ambassador in Kabul, Crocker was named an Honorary Marine by the United States Marine Corps. In 2020, the West Point Association of Graduates awarded Crocker the
prestigious Thayer Award for exemplifying the Academy's motto: “DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.”
Since leaving government service, he has taught at the University of Virginia, Yale, and Princeton.