American Studies celebrates 75th Anniversary by inviting Gorbachev The American Studies Institute's Distinguished Lecture Series was honored to present the former president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, as one of the most signifi cant people to have ever spoken at Harding Uni - versity. The 75th Anniversary celebration allowed the American Studies program to show the best of what it has done all these years. Gorbachev's visit to Harding was also hi~ first visit to Arkansas. Following his introduction by President David Burks and a performance by the Un iversity choruses and band, Gorbachev began his speech by saying that he likes Americans. "I like Americans because they feel they are free citizens," he said. In hi s address to more than 4,000 people,Gorbachev discussed his country's past, present and future. He linked the years of Communism in his country to theyears of slavery in the United States. Gorbachev is credited with ending the 50-year Cold War through Perestroika and the signing of two disarmament pacts that decreased the chances ofa nuclear war. Gorbachev said that Russia needs the Un ited States, and the United States needs Russia. "Whatever happens in one country affects the other," he said. Gorbachev supports the new government that was recently installed in Russia but blames the . new president, Boris Yeltsin, for most ofthe country's present problems. "When I trave l in Russia, people ask me how I could let Yeltsin come to power, and my answer is simple - I did not vote for Yeltsin; you voted for him," he said. Yeltsin was elected in 1991 when the Soviet Un ion fell apart and Gorbachev resigned. "The result was that the Supreme Soviet gave Yeltsin total license to conduct reforms theway he wanted," Gorbachev said. Gorbachev, who is 67 years old, became secretary of the Communist party in the Soviet Union in 1985 and president in 1989. Hesaid that the United States should evaluate its fi nancial assistance to his country and tone down its militaristic approach to world affairs. - Juli eta Gil Dr. Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America, addresses family and consumer science students as a part of the Coleman Distinguished Lecture Series. CFA, the nation's largest consumer advocacy organization, has 50 million members. • 14 STU DENT LIFE
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