Though the Langley, Va. headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency were never that far from the Hilltop, former CIA director and Georgetown alum George Tenet (SFS ‘76) will soon be back on campus. Tenet accepted a three-year appointment to lecture and teach in the School of Foreign Service.
Tenet will arrive on campus immediately, but will start teaching classes in Fall 2005. Tenet will serve as the Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy and Senior Research Associate in the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. He is also working on a book, slated for publication next year, and speaking at private engagements.
“I look forward to returning to the Georgetown community,” Tenet said in a University press release. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to engage with students and faculty members on issues of growing importance to national and international community.”
After serving as Director of Central Intelligence under Presidents Bill Clinton (SFS ‘68) and George W. Bush, Tenet left the agency in July, citing personal reasons.
Gaston Hall served as the venue for a major policy speech Tenet delivered on Feb. 5 in which he defended the CIA’s analysis of Saddam Hussein’s activities in Iraq before the U.S. invaded in early 2003.
SFS Dean Robert Gallucci was enthusiastic about Tenet’s appointment.
“He would have been the kind of person to seek out for one of our distinguished professorships even if he had not been a graduate of the SFS and passionate in support of Georgetown University over the years.” Gallucci said. “That he is and has been only makes his return sweeter for all of us.”
Gallucci lauded Tenet’s experience in the field of security studies, particularly in the area of intelligence.
“His natural gifts for speaking and interpersonal engagement will serve him well in the classroom,” Gallucci said.
Gallucci and Tenet first became acquainted 15 years ago when Tenet worked as staff director of the Senate Select Committee for Intelligence, where Professor of Security Studies Jennifer Sims, Gallucci’s wife, also worked at the time.
Students greeted the announcement with excitement.
“When I heard he was resigning from the CIA my first thought was that I would want to take a class from him my senior year,” Andrew Herr (SFS ‘06) said.
As a basketball season ticket holder, Tenet is also a regular at the MCI Center.
