Former American Ambassador to Poland to Speak at Rhodes College

Victor H. Ashe, former United States Ambassador to Poland, will present “Poland's New Role in Europe Today” on February 16 at Rhodes College. Free and open to the public, the lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Frazier Jelke B.

Prior to serving as an American ambassador, Ashe was the Mayor of Knoxville from 1987 to 2003 and helped establish a relationship with the city of Chelm, Poland. In June 2004, he became U.S. Ambassador to Poland, and in that role visited 16 of Poland’s provinces and more than 180 of its cities and towns. His service as ambassador concluded in September 2009.

In public presentations about Poland, Ashe has discussed its pivotal location, the origins of Polish/American relations, democracy and diplomacy, and opportunities for trade and investment.

Ashe’s public service includes the Tennessee House of Representatives, State Senate, U.S. Marine Corps Air Reserves, and AmeriCorps Board of Directors. In 2003, he received the Distinguished Public Service Award. He recently was nominated by President Obama to the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

Ashe, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law, also is an attorney.

Those with specific inquiries about his presentation at Rhodes can contact the International Studies Department at 901-843-3573.