For Release
January 31, 2003

The Citadel presents honorary degree to foreign policy leader

          Rozanne Lejeanne Ridgway, former ambassador to the German Democratic Republic and Finland, was presented with an honorary degree Friday, January 31 at The Citadel.

          Ridgway was recognized for many years service to the college as a member of The Citadel Board of Visitors' Advisory Council and was presented with an honorary degree of Doctor of Public Administration.

          In a citation read during the South Carolina Corps of Cadets dress parade, Ridgway was hailed as an outstanding leader and public servant and foreign policy leader since the Nixon administration. Her career with the Foreign Service of the Department of State took her to assignments throughout the world, allowing her to use her expertise in economics, foreign policy and national security in delicate negotiations that protected the interests of this country and its citizens. She retired in 1989 after 32 years of service and lives in Arlington, Va.

          Ambassador Ridgway was the assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian affairs. One of many highlights of her diplomatic career was her role as lead negotiator for the five Reagan/Gorbachev summits - sessions that ushered in a new era of diplomatic relations, ending the Cold War. While in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Ridgway also held appointments as ambassador to the German Democratic Republic, special assistant to the secretary of state for negotiations, ambassador to Finland and ambassador for Oceans and Fisheries Affairs.

          Ambassador Ridgway has continued to serve this country with appointments in the administrations of President George H. Bush and President Bill Clinton. An experienced manager, she has also chaired the board of directors of the Baltic-American Enterprise Fund and served on the boards of eight major corporations and the advisory boards for numerous educational and philanthropic organizations.

-end-