GAMBIER – About three months after leaving the Central Intelligence Agency, Michael J. Morell arrives at Kenyon College, on Monday, Nov. 4, for a lecture on “The Importance of Intelligence for National Security” at 7:30 p.m. in Rosse Hall, 105 College Dr.
Morell, who joined the CIA in 1980, became the agency’s deputy director in 2010. Morell filled in as acting director twice, in 2011, when former director Leon E. Panetta became secretary of defense, and in 2012, in the wake of the resignation of David Petraeus. Morell has been behind the scenes of many major U.S. intelligence operations, including playing an important role in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
He started at the CIA as an international energy analyst and climbed the ranks, becoming director of the Office of Asian Pacific and Latin American Analysis in 1999. He has held numerous other positions within the agency, including executive assistant to Director George J. Tenet. Morell also served as the intelligence briefer for President George W. Bush and was with Bush on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Center for the Study of American Democracy (CSAD) at Kenyon sponsors Morell’s talk. “We feel fortunate to welcome Mr. Morell to Kenyon talk about intelligence and national security,” said Tom Karako, assistant professor of political science and CSAD director. “He has served at the highest levels of government, and his talk comes at a time when intelligence-related issues fill the news, whether it be drones in Yemen or surveillance here at home.” The lecture is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
