Nixon brother to speak at Wofford about historic China trip
April 23, 2012
SPARTANBURG, SC – April 23, 2012 – Edward C. Nixon, brotherto the late President Richard M. Nixon, will speak on Thursday, May 3,at Wofford College, describing how he retraced his brother’s footstepson his historic visit to China 40 years ago and discussing the future ofU.S.-China relations.
The program, which will include a lecture and aquestion-and-answer session, will be held at 7 p.m. in LeonardAuditorium in Main Building. It is free and open to the public.
Thelecture is the second event under Wofford’s endowed Hipp Lecture Serieson International Affairs and National Security; the first was the Republican Presidential Candidates Debate held on campus in November 2011, presented by CBS and the National Journal.
“Woffordis an excellent setting for me to discuss the importance of mybrother’s historic trip to China 40 years ago and the future ofU.S.-China relations,” Nixon says. “The college has placed an emphasison its Chinese Language and Studies program, as well as on theimportance of its students participating in study abroad activities inorder to better understand the world and to become good global citizens.Many Wofford students learn about China in their studies, while thecollege’s administration supports undergraduate faculty who are writingbooks on U.S. foreign policy. Wofford has set itself apart as a highlyregarded institution where important conversations are taking place,such as the GOP’s Commander-in-Chief Debate held there this past fall.”
During his recent trip to China, Nixon was honored at a state dinner attended by Mao’s daughter.
Dr. John Farrenkopf, associate professor of government at Wofford who teaches a course titled “China: Politics, Economy andForeign Relations,” notes that 2012 is the 40th anniversary of PresidentNixon’s “historic opening to China. His famous visit to what hadhitherto been a staunch Communist adversary was a milestone in thehistory of post-World War II American foreign policy. It helped set thestage for the establishment of full diplomatic relations between theUnited States and the People’s Republic of China in 1979 under theCarter administration and the initiation of a foreign policy ofengagement with China – a policy which all subsequent Americanpresidents have followed. Engagement with China strengthened America’shand in dealing with the Soviet Union in the Cold War and played a rolein facilitating the remarkable economic rise of post-Maoist China.”
Dr. Li Qing Kinnison, associate professor of Chinese Studies,says Wofford’s program would not exist without President Nixon’shistoric trip. “The Chinese people love him as an old friend of Chinafor his contribution to the normalization of diplomatic relationshipsbetween China and the U.S.A., and for opening the door for both Chineseand American people to learn from each other and build up a strongfriendship, which has mutually benefited both sides in every aspect,including education. Wofford Chinese Studies is the result of thelong-lasting impact of his China trip. With more and more Americanstudents going to China with the knowledge in language and culture,Nixon’s legacy will be carried on.”
Woffordalumnus Van D. Hipp Jr., who established the Hipp Lecture Series onInternational Affairs and National Security, says, “The purpose of ourlecture series is to highlight issues of national and internationalinterest, and to bring in speakers who are well-versed on these issuesfor students. In keeping with that purpose, Ed Nixon remembers hisbrother’s barrier-breaking trip to China 40 years ago – China then andChina now. We are pleased to be able to host this event and highlightWofford’s commitment to Chinese studies as well.”
Hipp,a former chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party, now ischairman of American Defense International Inc. in Washington, D.C., andis on the board of directors of the American Conservative Union and theNational Capital Board of the Salvation Army. He is the former deputyassistant secretary of the U.S. Army, where he oversaw the bulk of themobilization for Operation Desert Storm.
EdwardNixon, who co-authored “The Nixons: A Family Portrait” with Karen L.Olson in 2009, is the president of Nixon World Enterprises Inc. and thechairman of the Pyron Solar Advisory Board in San Diego, Calif. In thebook, “by reflecting on heritage, education, extensive world travel,plus the encouragement of his older brother,” Nixon “tells the story ofan ordinary family striving to make a positive difference in the world,”according to the book’s website. “Their global mission aims to inspiremore young Americans to reach for a new threshold of greatness for thecountry.”
He has spent decades pursuing theresponsible use of natural resources around the globe. After receivinghis bachelor’s degree in geology from Duke University and master’sdegree in geological engineering from North Carolina State University,he embarked on a successful career working for and serving as an adviserto several cutting-edge companies in the field of earth science.
