NOTE: This ticketed event is at capacity. 

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates will be the inaugural speaker for the Craig W. Barton Speaker Series. Gates, who was born in Wichita, served as the 22nd secretary of defense (2006-2011) and director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1991-1993). Dr. Gates served eight U.S. presidents across both parties, and is the only secretary of defense in U.S. history to be asked to remain in office by a newly elected president.