Governor Jim Blanchard Public Service Forum

Forum Goal

The goal of our forum is to provide generations of students, faculty and the MSU community with the opportunity to see, hear, and learn from national and international leaders, diplomats and writers.

The award and forum, announced in 2015, were established through a generous gift to MSU from Jim and Janet Blanchard.

"The overarching goal of our gift is to inspire future generations of Spartans to answer the call to public service and civic commitment."
- Jim Blanchard

Jim Blanchard

Born in Detroit and raised in Ferndale, Jim Blanchard earned his B.A. in Social Science in 1964 and M.B.A. in 1965 from MSU and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1968. He served four terms in the United States Congress (1975-1983) and two terms as governor of Michigan (1983-1991). He was the first MSU graduate to serve as governor of Michigan. Jim also served as US ambassador to Canada (1993-1996). He authored “Behind the Embassy Door” about his service in Canada. His performance as ambassador was recognized by Secretary of State Warren Christopher when he presented Jim with the Foreign Affairs Award for Public Service, making him one of only a handful of ambassadors to receive this prestigious award.

Jim Blanchard is a partner in the global law firm of DLA Piper and serves as co-chair of the Canada-US Law Institute and is Chair and President of The National Archives Foundation in Washington, D.C. Jim is also co-chair of the Ambassadors Roundtable for the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Janet Blanchard

Janet Blanchard, born and raised in Williamston, Michigan served as a career civil servant in the Michigan State government Departments of Education, Labor, Commerce, Civil Service and Management and Budget. In 1993, Janet served as associate director of presidential personnel for President Bill Clinton. In May of 2004, she was protocol officer for the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Currently she is a member of the Meridian International Center Board of Trustees and also serves on the Board of Directors of the International Student House in Washington. Earlier she served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan 4-H Foundation and in 2009 was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

Ways to Give

You can help expand our forum and sponsor student participation by a tax deductible gift to the Governor Jim Blanchard Public Service Forum.

Sponsorships Typically Include:

Tickets to VIP reception
VIP dinner
Photos with the honoree
Tickets to the program
Recognition in all marketing materials

For sponsorship information for upcoming programs, please contact:

Rachel Schmidt
Senior Director of Development
College of Social Science
rschmidt@msu.edu

Or mail a check directly to MSU at:

University Advancement
University Development
Spartan Way
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824

2024
Tom Izzo
MSU Men's basketball Coach

2022
Leon E. Panetta
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Former Congressman, Former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

2021
Lynne Olson
New York Times Bestselling Author, Historian, and Journalist

2020
Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright was a Former U.S. Secretary of State & U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

2018
Cokie Roberts
Renowned author and journalist Cokie Roberts had been a political commentator for ABC News and NPR for over 40 years. She will be missed by all who knew her and followed her career.

2017
John Lewis
Late Congressman John Lewis had been a central figure in American politics for decades and had served as a U.S. Representative (D-GA 5th District) for Georgia since 1987.

2016
Evan Thomas
Evan Thomas, a highly acclaimed author, historian and journalist was presented with our first “Distinguished Author Award.”

2015
President Bill Clinton
President Bill Clinton was the first recipient of the Spartan Statesmanship Award for Distinguished Public Service Award

2023
Pete Buttigieg
U.S. Secretary of Transportation

2021
James E. Clyburn
U.S. Senator James E. Clyburn has served as House Majority Whip since 2019

2021
Jim Blanchard
Virtual conversation: "Joe Biden, His Career, His Campaign and the Challenges Ahead"

2019
Carl Levin
Carl Levin had been influential in politics for decades, serving as a Democratic United State Senator for Michigan from 1979 to 2015. Levin also was the chair of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.

2018
Burton Gerber
Burton Gerber is an MSU Alumnus, former career CIA Case Officer, CIA Station Chief, and current Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University.

2017
Jo-Ellen Darcy
Jo-Ellen Darcy is a MSU and Blanchard Administration Alumna, who served with distinction as an Assistant Secretary of the Army and head of the Army Corps of Engineers.

2016
Ken Burns
Ken burns, a distinguished filmmaker and documentarian, has had an impact on American understanding of our history and human experience.