Monday, Sept. 8, the College of William and Mary’s Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences announced the beginning of its Blue Horizons Visiting Fellows Program, with former Secretary of State John F. Kerry serving as its first fellow.
John Kerry’s life has been marked by his service to the United States. He served as the nation’s 68th Secretary of State during former President Barack Obama’s administration from 2013 to 2017. During his term, Kerry assisted in the successful negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris Climate Agreement. Under the Biden Administration, he became the first-ever Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and the first Principal to sit on the National Security Council with his role entirely dedicated to taking action against climate change. Kerry also represented the state of Massachusetts as a Senator from 1985-2013 and further served in the U.S. Navy, with two combat tours of Vietnam for which he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V and three Purple Hearts. In May of 2024, President Joe Biden awarded Kerry the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his commitment to public service.
Kerry will participate in a Fireside Chat on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to discuss the increased pressures on coastal regions and marine habitats despite humanity’s immense scientific advancements. This event is promised to be a pillar of the College’s Year of the Environment programming, which aims to advance the College’s sustainability efforts while celebrating the commitment to protecting the environment.
