Open World Marks 15th Anniversary

Open World Founding Chairman Dr. James H. Billington (center, with roses) and Mrs. Billigton with Event chair Susan Carmel Lehrman (right of Mrs. Billington), Open World Trustees, Open World staff and hosts, and other friends of the program on December 4.
Open World Founding Chairman Dr. James H. Billington (center, with roses) and Mrs. Billigton with Event Chair Susan Carmel Lehrman (right of Mrs. Billington), Open World Trustees, Open World staff and hosts, and other friends of the program on December 4.

Open World Marks 15th Anniversary

Washington DC – The Open World Leadership Center celebrated its 15th Anniversary on December 4 with a spectacular celebration at the Library of Congress, and paid tribute to Open World’s founding Chairman Dr. James H. Billington for his vision and leadership with numerous accolades, awards and the announcement of the Billington Rose. Event Chair Susan Carmel Lerhman, along with the Open World Leadership Center’s Board, marked this occasion with “An Evening of Music and Friendship” which included special appearances by famed pianist Valentina Lisitsa, Grammy Award-winning Violist Kim Kashkashian with pianist Robert Levin, internationally acclaimed bass Askar Abdrazakov, and Grammy Award-winning opera star Harolyn Blackwell. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation John Beyrle, and other speakers included Open World Trustees Senator Roger Wicker (MS), former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation and Open World Trustee Ambassador James F. Collins, and Open World Leadership Center Chairman Walter Scott, Jr.