The Spire

Kate Santini ‘27

Chief News Editor

On April 9, the College was pleased to host 68th Secretary of State, John Kerry, to speak on “Geopolitics and Sustainability: Navigating the Future.” Hosted by the Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee, which annually chooses someone distinguished in the realm of public service to speak at the College, the lecture was open to all students, faculty, and outside visitors. Prior to the talk, Kerry attended a pre-lecture seminar where Committee members asked him questions in an intimate setting, a brief reception with event donors and their families, and a dinner where President Vincent Rougeau welcomed Secretary Kerry to The Hill and formally announced the evening’s lecture topic.

Hanify-Howland Lecture Committee Co-Chairs, Karen Phan ‘25 and Evan Garcia ‘26, worked tirelessly to organize this event. According to Phan, “John Kerry was selected as the leading candidate by both the student committee and the Hanify-Howland families because his distinguished political career and expertise are highly relevant to the academic environment at Holy Cross. His leadership on the climate crisis – a challenge deeply intertwined with social justice, economic inequality, and global governance – made him an especially compelling choice for this moment. Secretary Kerry’s extensive experience as a statesman and climate envoy lent authenticity and urgency to his message, resonating strongly with faculty, staff, and students alike.”

As a member of the Committee, I had the privilege of being among a small group of students given the opportunity to ask Secretary Kerry questions on his career and thoughts on the nation’s political situation prior to the lecture. The conversation touched upon veterans’ affairs, the prospect of improving national infrastructure, and his thoughts on the current presidential administration. 

While he expressed particular dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s tariff and environmental policies, he also did not shy away from critiquing the Biden administration, which he formerly worked under as the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. He especially faulted former President Biden for not doing enough to build up the nation’s electric charging stations and to promote renewable energy in general. Claiming that you “can’t have democracy without the rule of law,” Kerry also expressed concern with President Trump’s “my way or the highway” philosophy which he feels runs contrary to “everything you learn here at university.” 

Kerry briefly reflected on the very close presidential campaign he ran against former President George W. Bush in 2004. After facing a narrow loss, Kerry continued his career in public service, espousing ideas of peace with Iraq and reducing the United States’ carbon footprint. After being asked what presidential candidate he will endorse in the next election and the future of the Democratic Party, he jokingly asked whether 81 is too old to run for president. 

During opening remarks at the official lecture, Kerry expressed gratitude for having been invited to speak at an institution with a demonstrated commitment to the liberal arts. He reflected on the many figures who guided him in his career, which began with his service in the Vietnam War. Kerry entered the military at an early age, driven by his parents’ activism and John F. Kennedy’s maxim that you should “ask not what your country can do for you,” but what “you can do for your country.” Even after becoming disillusioned with the war, these words continued to guide him throughout his career. 

The lecture gave way to a panel led by the Chair of the Environmental Science Department, Sarah Luria, and Committee Co-Chairs, Karen and Evan. During this portion of the talk, the panelists asked Kerry student-submitted questions. The questions opened a conversation on how to combat climate change in the modern socioeconomic climate. Kerry referenced many of his personal heroes, including Rachel Carson, who was the first to expose the detrimental consequences of the federal government’s widespread use of DDT and became a pioneer in the modern environmentalism movement. He also proposed improving public transportation and creating more walkable cities as a means of reducing the average American’s carbon footprint. 

While still determined to fight for his political beliefs, Kerry feels that “young people are the vanguard” and that the duty to  “build for the future” rests on their shoulders. He concluded the talk by urging the audience not to lose hope in combating climate change. While passing administrations might forestall climate initiatives, the widespread shift from non-renewable to renewable energy sources is inevitable. He urges all college students to remain optimistic and vigilant in contributing to a more sustainable future. 

Phan reflected on the well-attended event saying that it “generated significant enthusiasm, with an atmosphere that reflected the community’s engagement and the alignment of Kerry’s ability to connect policy, science, and activism with the interdisciplinary, justice-focused scholarship flourishing on campus.” On a personal level, she “believe[s] that academia has a responsibility to address the complex intersections of social, environmental, and political crises facing society today. Secretary Kerry’s presence was not only timely but essential, affirming the institution’s commitment to fostering forward-looking, action-oriented dialogue at the core of higher education.”

Garcia was also satisfied with the event’s turnout. Highlighting the hard work that went into organizing the event, he shared that, “I personally think the Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture is so important because it allows students to interact with (and help select!) a distinguished public servant who visits our campus each year. Although we hope everyone will remember Secretary Kerry’s remarks, months of behind-the-scenes planning is involved as well. This includes synthesizing the nominations made by the campus community; selecting dates, times, and a location for the lecture; and overseeing marketing and outreach efforts. The event would not be possible without so many longstanding supporters, including Sandy Burke and Trish Haylon from the Office of Advancement; President Rougeau and Vice President Heather Hayes; and the Hanify and Howland families. We are also thankful for Secretary Kerry and his team for providing us with his time, presence, and remarkable thoughtfulness. Finally, I am so grateful for Karen’s constant commitment and support this entire academic year!”

Thank you to all the members of the Holy Cross community who came to support the 57th annual Hanify-Howland Lecture. If you are interested in becoming a part of the Hanify-Howland Lecture Committee, stay tuned for applications to be released in the upcoming weeks.

Copy Edited by Charlotte Collins ’26

Featured image courtesy of the Hanify-Howland Lecture Committee