Continuing in the enduring tradition of bringing distinguished speakers to South Texas, the CHRISTUS Spohn Foundation is thrilled to announce that its prestigious guest for the 2016 CHRISTUS Spohn Lyceum to be held Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at the American Bank Center, is author David McCullough.
Two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, and a “master of the art of narrative history,” McCullough also was bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The “matchless writer,” also has twice earned the esteemed Francis Parkman Prize.
David McCullough, two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, will speak at the CHRISTUS Spohn 2016 Lyceum.
As may be said of few writers, none of his books has ever been out of print. The dynamic McCullough has been an editor, teacher, lecturer and familiar presence on public television — as host of Smithsonian World, The American Experience and narrator of numerous documentaries including Ken Burns’ The Civil War. His also is the familiar narrator’s voice in the movie Seabiscuit. He also is among the few private citizens to speak before a joint session of Congress.
The 2016 Lyceum will help support CHRISTUS Spohn’s construction of the new Dr. Hector P. Garcia Memorial Family Health Center, honoring another great American and civil rights champion, while transforming health care in the Coastal Bend. Our PATH Forward (People and Actions Transforming Healthcare) includes creating a more than 40,000 square-foot medical home base of care that will be a community asset for generations to come, providing easy, walk-in access to coordinated health care with a focus on wellness and prevention and chronic condition management.
For more information, please call Courtney McLain, Director of Annual Giving, at 361-881-3611 or email courtney.mcclain@christushealth.org.
About David McCullough
David McCullough has been widely acclaimed as a “master of the art of narrative history.” He is twice winner of the Pulitzer Prize, twice winner of the National Book Award, and has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award.
His most recent book, the widely praised The Wright Brothers, has been #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list. The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, also a #1 bestseller, has been called “dazzling,” …“history to be savored.” His 1776, has been acclaimed “a classic,” while John Adams, published in 2001, remains one of the most praised and widely read American biographies of all time.
In the words of the citation accompanying his honorary degree from Yale, “As an historian, he paints with words, giving us pictures of the American people that live, breathe, and above all, confront the fundamental issues of courage, achievement, and moral character.”
Mr. McCullough’s other books include The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, The Path between the Seas, Mornings on Horseback, Brave Companions and Truman. His books have been published in 17 languages and as may be said of few writers, none of his books has ever been out of print.
McCullough is as well twice winner of the Francis Parkman Prize, and for his work overall he has been honored by the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal and the Gold Medal for Biography given by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as the American Academy of Arts and Letters and has received 53 honorary degrees.
In 2013, in his honor, the city of Pittsburgh, his hometown, renamed its landmark 16th Street Bridge over the Allegheny River the David McCullough Bridge. More recently, in September 2014, he was named an Officer of the Legion of Honor by decree of the President of the Republic of France.
In a crowded, productive career, he has been an editor, teacher, lecturer, and familiar presence on public television — as host of Smithsonian World, The American Experience, and narrator of numerous documentaries including Ken Burns’ The Civil War. His is also the narrator’s voice in the movie Seabiscuit. John Adams, the seven-part mini-series on HBO produced by Tom Hanks, was one of the most acclaimed television events of recent years.
A gifted speaker, Mr. McCullough has lectured in all parts of the country and abroad, as well as at the White House. He is also one of the few private citizens to speak before a joint session of Congress.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1933, he was educated there and at Yale. He is an avid reader, traveler, and has enjoyed a lifelong interest in art and architecture. He is as well a devoted painter. He and his wife Rosalee Barnes McCullough have five children and nineteen grandchildren.
About Lyceum
The annual CHRISTUS Spohn Lyceum has a rich tradition beginning in 1989 with Henry Kissinger, the 56th Secretary of State. Lyceum guests enjoy an exquisite dinner and hear presentations from some of our era’s most influential leaders.
Lyceum Tradition of Excellence
- 2015: Charles Krauthammer
- 2014: Former Mexican President Vicente Fox
- 2013: Condoleezza Rice
- 2012: Tony Blair
- 2011: Former President George W. Bush
- 2010: Mike Huckabee
- 2009: T. Boone Pickens
- 2008: James Bradley
- 2007: Lou Holtz
- 2006: Mitch Albom
- 2005: George Will
- 2004: Gen. Tommy Franks
- 2003: Steve Forbes
- 2002: Former Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo
- 2001: Barbara A. Bush
- 2000: James Baker III
- 1999: Former President George H. W. Bush
- 1998: Margaret Thatcher
- 1997: Gen. Colin Powell
- 1996: James Carville and Mary Matalin
- 1995: Dick Cheney
- 1994: Dr. William Bennett
- 1993: Dr. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick
- 1992: Art Buchwald
- 1991: William Buckley Jr.
- 1990: Walter Cronkite
- 1989: Dr. Henry Kissinger
Posted on November 20, 2015