John Lawrence, OC ’70 and chief of staff to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, is coming to speak at Oberlin on Monday. Hosted by the Oberlin Initiative in Electoral Politics and the Alumni Association, Lawrence’s talk, titled “Politics Inside the Beltway,” is designed to give students and community members information about happenings in Washington, D.C., from an inside source.

“Mr. Lawrence will talk generally about what is happening in Washington — the major legislation and the political mood — while also taking questions,” said Michael Parkin, associate professor of Politics and director of the OIEP.

Parkin said that the lecture comes at a time when Americans will appreciate insight into pressing political issues from a Washington insider.

“We agreed [to host the event] because it is an opportunity to have one of the most important and influential figures in Washington politics speak to students and the Oberlin community about what is really happening in D.C. People are curious, if not concerned, about what is happening in Washington, and there are few people better equipped to offer insight than John Lawrence,” Parkin said. “Mr. Lawrence has been at the heart of major discussions in D.C. for the past 30 years.”

The lecture and subsequent Q&A session will be held Monday, Oct. 17 in Wilder 101 from 7 – 9:30 p.m.

“This really is a great opportunity to hear from someone who has been in the middle of key debates in Washington that affect our daily lives,” said Parkin.