Miami, September 6, 2013 – Miami Dade College (MDC)’s prestigious Confucius Institute (CI) will host a presentation by Barry University Adjunct Clinical professor and retired Major Gen. Bernard Loeffke at 11:15 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami. Loeffke will give an in-depth lecture about his personal reflections on US-China relations, based on his illustrious, 36-year military career, which includes three-and-a-half combat tours in Southeast Asia and his role as defense attaché to the People’s Republic in China. The event is free and open to the public.
Loeffke’s military and diplomatic careers match the proportions of a hero’s novel. He is the recipient of four Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his military skill and courageous valor in the battlefield. In combat, he once ran through enemy fire to rescue a fellow soldier. He was the first U.S Army general assigned to the American Embassy in China after the communist takeover and also the first to jump with Chinese parachute units. A former Special Forces officer in the U.S. Army, he additionally served as the first General to lead a delegation of White House Fellows to China.
Upon retiring from the military, Loeffke found his passion providing medical aid to impoverished communities around the world and fostering international understanding. He holds a physician assistant degree from Nova Southeastern University and is the recipient of the 2007 U.S. Military Academy’s Distinguished Graduate Award.
“At CI, we feel extraordinarily privileged to have Gen. Loeffke as a speaker in our lecture series program. Not only does he provide an intimate look at China as a history-maker, but as an inspiring humanitarian who exemplifies the best that an American can be: a scholar, an accomplished soldier, a peace maker and a model of global responsibility. Truly a role model for our students as they begin their careers,” said Dr. Xuejun (Jim) Yu, director of the Confucius Institute at MDC.
Following the lecture, Loeffke will sign copies of “China, Our Enemy? A General’s Story” (Pacific Institute Publishing 2012): one of the books that inspired his talk. Light Chinese refreshments will be served after the event.
Confucius Institute Lecture: “China: Friend or Enemy? A General’s Story”
- WHEN: Tuesday, Sep. 10, 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
- WHERE: MDC Wolfson Campus, Room 7128 (Building 7, first floor) 300 NE Second Ave.
For more information, contact Dr. Xuejun (Jim) Yu at 305- 237-7581 or xyu@mdc.edu.