Ambassador Chris Hill and the Diplomatic Café

Chris Hill ended his June 24 Zoom broadcast with the news it was his final Diplomatic Café as he was beginning a new assignment not on the DU campus in 2021. He started the Diplomatic Café this quarter as a forum to discuss foreign policy issues, often with his diplomatic colleagues from around the world.

On April 29, Chris and I presented a session, “Politics and Foreign Policy in the Pandemic,” in which we discussed the impact COVID-19 was having on American politics and foreign policy, for example with China. It was the last in a long series of presentations Chris and I had with friends of the Korbel School and the Crossley Center. Our most memorable forum was on November 9, 2016, the day after the presidential election in front of a stunned audience in Maglione Hall. It was titled, “Election 2016 Fallout: National and International Ramifications,” and I had to quickly rearrange my presentation in light of the surprise win by President Trump. Chris and I then began presenting regular updates on how U.S. politics and foreign policy were changing, our first after one hundred days of the Trump administration and then annually each November. There was much material to cover and ready audiences.

Floyd Ciruli and Chris Hill present a post-election event,
Nov. 2016 | University of Denver photo

In 2017, Chris completed his nearly decade-long service as the Dean of the Korbel School. Among many accomplishments, including high-profile speakers such as former bosses President George W. Bush and Vice President Joe Biden, his most lasting will be building the new five-story Sie Center, made possible by a gift from Anna and John Sie. The groundbreaking in September 2014 was attended by former ambassador and graduate Condi Rice. The new 46,000 square-foot building, which opened in 2016, became the center of the Korbel School’s undergraduate, graduate and extensive community engagement programs.

Anna and John Sie speak at the groundbreaking of the new
building for the Korbel School, Sept. 2014 | Wayne Armstrong

Former President George W. Bush speaks at the Korbel
Gala as Dean Chris Hill listens, Sept. 10, 2013
 | Photo: University of Denver via YouTube

Since 2017, Chris became the director of the Center of Global Engagement, professor of practice, and regular commentator and writer on foreign policy for NBC, MSNBC, CNN, The Hill and mostly recently, Foreign Affairs. Chris has many friends in and around Denver who will miss his presence, but can still appreciate his media commentary.

Good luck Chris and Julie on the next adventure.