Top Turkish diplomat to visit UVA-Wise

The ambassador of Turkey to the United States will visit The University of Virginia's College at Wise on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Ambassador O. Faruk Logoglu will discuss "Turkey and the U.S.: Friends, Allies, Partners" during his lecture that begins at 4 p.m. in the Science Center. The public is invited to attend this event.

"The visit to the College by Ambassador Logoglu is a tribute to the quality of UVa-Wise and symbolic of the strength of our national reputation," said UVa-Wise Chancellor Steven Kaplan. "I am delighted and proud that the Ambassador is taking time out of his busy schedule to visit UVa-Wise and Southwest Virginia."

Logoglu has served as Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United States since October 2001. Previously he served as the Turkish Ambassador to Denmark and Azerbaijan. He was the Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2000 until his current assignment. He joined the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1971 and has been involved in the major areas of Turkey's external relations.

A lecturer in Political Science at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, between 1969 and 1970, the Ambassador received is Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brandeis University and his Ph.D. in Political Science from Princeton University. He is the author of Ismet Inonu and the Making of Modern Turkey, a book about the life of the second president of the Turkish Republic.

UVA-Wise has several connections to the country of Turkey, beginning with the research of N. Brent Kennedy, the College's former vice chancellor for Development and College Relations. Kennedy asserts many families in Appalachia, including his own, can trace their ancestral roots to Turkey.

The College has had a sister institution relationship with Istanbul University, Turkey's oldest and largest institution of higher education, since 1998. More than 25 Turkish students have attended UVA-Wise as part of this exchange program. The College also has a sister institution agreement with Dumlupinar University.

Additionally, the Town of Wise and the Town of Cesme,Turkey, are sister cities. Wise and Cesme were honored in 1997 with an International Sister Cities Award.

Note to reporters: For more information about the Ambassador's visit, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130. The Ambassador will be available to speak to the media following his lecture.