The Ringling College Library Association’s 2020 Town Hall Lecture Series will begin on Monday, January 27, with a talk by Former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general who served as President Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security and White House Chief of Staff. On February 11, RCLA attendees will enjoy a tour of the travel world from travel guru Rick Steves, the host of the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe, and best-selling author of more than 50 European travel books. Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman will be the featured speaker on February 17. Sherman recently stepped down as undersecretary of state for political affairs after four years. In recognition of her many diplomatic accomplishments, she was awarded the National Security Medal by President Barack Obama.

On March 2, freelance journalist and author of three books, Sam Quinones will give a talk about his experience writing Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic, for which he traveled across the United States. Quinones worked at the L.A. Times for 10 years and is a veteran reporter on immigration, gangs, drug trafficking and the border. On March 23, renowned neuroscientist, Lisa Genova, will focus on neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, autism, Huntington's disease and ALS. And celebrated photographer Annie Leibovitz will wrap up the 2020 series on April 7, with a talk on her long career in journalism and the arts.

All lectures will be presented at Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. Subscription tickets for RCLA members for the 2020 series will go on sale in on June 1.

Ringling College Library Association