April 9 @ 5:45 pm – 8:30 pm
David Ignatius writes a twice-a-week foreign affairs column for The Washington Post. Ignatius joined The Post in 1986 as editor of its Sunday Outlook section. In 1990, he became foreign editor, and in 1993, assistant managing editor for business news.
He began writing his column in 1998 and continued even during a three-year stint as executive editor of the International Herald Tribune in Paris. Earlier in his career, Ignatius was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, covering at various times the steel industry, the Departments of State and Justice, the CIA, the Senate, and the Middle East.
Ignatius has written 12 spy novels:
“Phantom Orbit” (2024), “The Paladin” (2020), “The Quantum Spy,” (2017), “The Director,” (2014), “Bloodmoney” (2011), “The Increment” (2009), “Body of Lies” (2007), “The Sun King” (1999), “A Firing Offense” (1997), “The Bank of Fear” (1994), “SIRO” (1991), and “Agents of Innocence” (1987). “Body of Lies” was made into a 2008 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe.
Ignatius grew up in Washington, D.C. and studied political theory at Harvard College and economics at Kings College, Cambridge. He lives in Washington with his wife and has three daughters.
Honors and Awards: 2018 Finalist team, Pulitzer Prize for Public Service; 2018 George Polk Award; 2010 Urbino International Press Award; 2013 Overseas Press Club Award for Foreign Affairs Commentary; Lifetime Achievement Award, International Committee for Foreign Journalists; Legion D’Honneur awarded by the French government; 2004 Edward Weintal Prize; 2000 Gerald Loeb Award for Commentary; As The Post’s foreign editor, Ignatius supervised the paper’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Iraqi invasion.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
5:00-6:00 p.m.
VIP Reception
George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business (Lobby)
Parking is available in the lot behind the Business School. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided.
5:45-6:45 p.m.
General Reception
Chapman Cultural Center (Theatre Lobby)
This is a reception for everyone. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will also be provided.
7:00-8:15 p.m.
Keynote Address
Chapman Cultural Center (Theatre)
Link to Website: https://uscupstate.edu/campus-events/edmunds-lecture-series/
Link to Tickets: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35984/production/1264783?performanceId=11760109
About the Edmunds Distinguished Lecture Series: The Dr. John B. Edmunds, Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series is dedicated to bringing significant scholars and leaders in history, political science, philosophy, and religion to the University of South Carolina Upstate and the Upstate community. Sponsored by the Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy, and American Studies at USC Upstate, the series has hosted Peggy Noonan, Rick Atkinson, David McCullough, Bob Woodward, Jon Meacham, Retired Four-Star Admiral and 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Jim Stavridis, and N.Y. Times Columnist David Brooks.