The World Affairs Council of Central Illinois is one of 10 councils from across the U.S. to be chosen to host Portraits of American Diplomacy, which will include a reception, exhibit and panel discussion at the Old State Capitol on Oct. 23.
“Our chapter continues to grow, and our monthly programs are always sold out,” said Joyce Nardulli, president of WACCI. “This exhibit is a special event that we know will be of interest to people in Springfield. And, hosting it at the Old State Capitol where Lincoln once served, is the ideal location to highlight diplomacy; certainly, Lincoln engaged in diplomatic work.”
She said diplomats serve important roles; they have saved American citizens in peril, opened markets for products from our farms and factories, and built alliances to ensure our collective security and advance our ideals.
An exhibit of 21 large panels highlights the role of diplomacy from 1776 during the American Revolution to today. The panels, created in collaboration with History Associates Inc., start with Benjamin Franklin securing the French military assistance that ensured our victory over the British and then show how diplomats helped expand the nation’s borders west and spread our influence around the globe. Panels also highlight how diplomats helped America navigate two world wars and build an international system that contributed to our victory in the Cold War. The final panels explain the role of diplomats confronting 21st century challenges to American security and prosperity.
This display, which is a mobile version of permanent exhibits at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center in Arlington, Virginia, and the National Defense University in Washington, D.C., has already appeared at more than 20 locations across the country, ranging from high schools and universities to libraries and conferences.
The Oct. 23 event at the Old State Capitol will include a reception with hors d’oeuvres from 5-6 p.m. during which time participants can explore the exhibit, followed by a presentation by Tom Selinger from the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training and a panel discussion.
The event is made possible through a grant from the World Affairs Councils of America and supported by the Una Cox Chapman Foundation and the ADST.
Selinger served 27 years in the U.S. Foreign Service with overseas tours in Kyrgyzstan, Denmark, Croatia, Albania, Trinidad and Tobago and portfolios ranging from security cooperation to American citizen services.
Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Selinger served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Army, including combat service with the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm, and worked as a political specialist for the Canadian government at its Consulate in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His interest in international affairs began during his time as a Rotary International Exchange Student in Belgium. Selinger is married to fellow diplomat Kirsten Selinger.
In retirement, Selinger leads outreach efforts at ADST.
“For the past 40 years, ADST has conducted interviews with former diplomats. I have an interesting role in selecting compelling stories from these interviews to help explain how diplomats have helped in so many situations,” he said.
“For the event in Springfield, I will be sharing information about key Illinois diplomats. One is Edmund Hull, who grew up in Springfield and assisted hostages taken during the hijacking of the Achille Lauro in 1985” (interviews are available at ADST.org and on the Library of Congress website).
Following Selinger’s presentation, a panel including Gordon Duguid, a former foreign service officer with NATO, and Kathy Johnson of Springfield, a former diplomat who served on four continents, will share their own experiences and respond to questions from moderator Jeff Trimble, former journalist for U.S. News and World Report.
“Diplomats, first and foremost, advance U.S. national interests and U.S. national security,” Johnson said. “We are referred to as our country’s first line of defense. Diplomacy is about building enduring relationships, deepening understanding of how other governments operate, gaining insight into the perspectives of other leaders and figuring out where collaboration is possible and when confrontation is necessary.
“If we aren’t on the ground in many countries, we won’t have the relationships to advance U.S. interests. Sometimes, it might take decades of quiet diplomacy to work through complicated issues.”
Cinda Ackerman Klickna serves on the WACCI board of directors.
World Affairs Council of Central Illinois
WACCI is a civic organization dedicated to educating the public about U.S. foreign policy, global economic and environmental issues, and international politics through in-depth presentations and discussions. The group hosts monthly dinners and lectures, many with speakers who have served as foreign diplomats and ambassadors. Previous topics have included Panama, the fall of the Soviet Union, the role of coffee production in the world and Saudi Arabia, as examples. Two upcoming programs will focus on “Misinformation and Disinformation” (Nov. 19) and Ukraine (Decc. 1). Programs are held at Illini Country Club with a dinner (for a fee), followed by a lecture (open to all for free). The Council also hosts an annual Great Decisions forum. Information is available at mywacci.org.
WACCI is part of the World Affairs Councils of America, a network of 90 councils in 43 states dedicated to deepening the understanding of global affairs and America’s role across the world.
This article appears in October 8-14, 2026.
