KINGSTON, R.I.-September 1, 1999 — Patricia Schroeder will help the University of Rhode Island kick off its new academic year and its exciting fall honors colloquium series, “Legacies of the Vietnam War”, on Sept. 15. The former congresswoman will speak in URI’s Edwards Auditorium at 3 p.m. Her speech about politics in the post-Vietnam era is part of URI’s annual Convocation festivities and is free and open to public. Gerry Tyler, URI professor of political science and coordinator of the series with Don Kunz, URI professor of English, said they selected Schroeder because she was elected to Congress in 1972, just as the Vietnam War was ending, and served 12 terms. “Schroeder served in Congress for the last quarter century and can report firsthand on the effect the war had on politics,” said Tyler. “She was the first woman to serve on the House Armed Services Committee, weighing in on military spending and military affairs.” Born in Portland, Oregon, Schroeder was one of only 15 women in a class of 500 at Harvard Law School. She authored two books including, 24 Years of House Work…and the Place is Still A Mess (Andrews McMeel, 1998). Now president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Association of American Publishers, Inc., Schroeder also leads New Century/New Solutions, a think tank for the Institute for Civil Society in Newton, Mass. “URI’s Convocation is about honoring excellence,” Tyler said. “Patricia Schroeder is a model of academic excellence. She completed her B.A. at the University of Minnesota in three years, graduating magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Why a colloquium on the legacies of the Vietnam War? “It has had such an impact on our society,” answered Tyler. “Interest seems to increase rather than decrease. We recognize how some of the issues have remained so raw.” The power-packed series runs Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9:30 is free and open to the public. (See enclosed pamphlet.) Other speakers include Adrian Cronauer, the subject and author of “Good Morning, Vietnam,” Le Ly Hayslip, author of “When Heaven and Earth Changed Places,” and television’s Peter Arnett. -xxx- For More Information: Jan Sawyer, 874-2116