One of Bowdoin’s most distinguished alumni was at Pickard Theater December 4, 2017, to speak to the Bowdoin community in an event called “Public Service in Times Like These”: A Conversation with Sen. George J. Mitchell ’54, H’83.

Mitchell’s visit came as the College prepares to implement the Bowdoin Public Service (BPS) Initiative—a three-component program to help students gain insight into the rewards and challenges of serving the common good by working in and through government agencies, political offices and non-governmental organizations engaged in public policy. Before taking the stage at Pickard, Mitchell held a private meeting with students who will be participating in the BPS Initiative.

In a conversation with President Clayton Rose, and in response to questions from the audience, Mitchell addressed a range of subjects, including his humble beginnings in Maine, the value of his Bowdoin education, and, of course, politics.

As well being the US peace envoy for the Middle East and Northern Ireland, where he helped broker the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement, Mitchell served for fifteen years in the US Senate, where he was majority leader from 1989 to 1995.