Orhan Pamuk reading from his work in Rollins Chapel.

As President of Dartmouth, John Dickey created a mandatory course for seniors on Great Issues, an analysis of current events that brought the graduating class together to hear and discuss weekly lectures by statesmen, politicians, journalists and other visitors of prominence. Many alumni credit Great Issues for having prepared them for the complex realities of the world.

To mark John Dickey's commitment to educating Dartmouth students on vital issues of the day, the Dickey Center has modeled a public lecture series on the Great Issues course that draws not only undergraduates but also faculty and townspeople to often-packed auditoriums.

Recent distinguished speakers on Great Issues include:

Dambisa Moyo, Economist

Shelia Watt-Cloutier, Canadian Inuit activist

Sarah Chayes, Special Advisor to General Stanely McKristol in Afghanistan

Kul Chandra Guatam '72, Former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations

Nicholas Burns, Former Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs

Dr. Jane Goodall, primatologist

Senator George Mitchell

Ambassador James Collins, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Aqqaluk Lynge, President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Greenland

Orhan Pamuk, Noble-Prize winning author

Thomas R. Pickering, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs

Senator Warren Rudman