Discussion with Alan Leventhal: US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark

Upper School students had the unique opportunity to hear from the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, Alan Leventhal, on Wednesday, October 16. Ambassador Leventhal is responsible for establishing and managing diplomatic relations, supporting a rules-based democratic world, promoting American interests, and communicating U.S. policies to the Kingdom of Denmark. Leventhal also focuses a lot of his work on youth engagement.

 

As a diplomat, Ambassador Leventhal assists American citizens abroad and continually works to foster positive relationships between our two countries. Ambassador Leventhal is a strong advocate for civil discourse and reviewed Newman’s Principles for Civil Discourse in preparation for his visit. Ambassador Leventhal utilizes civil discourse daily in his professional life and places an emphasis on productive conversations, particularly with those who hold different viewpoints.

 

In his remarks, Ambassador Leventhal shared with students the importance of civil discourse and respecting the viewpoints of others that differ from our own. Throughout the presentation students were applauded for asking questions and for openly sharing their opinions.

 

“I am here because you are the smartest generation in the history of the world, and you are the generation that cares most deeply about the future of the planet. You’re also the largest of the younger generations of the world,” Ambassador Leventhal said, “but you have a challenge that no generation before you have ever had. And that challenge is encapsulated by one word that Sherry and I didn’t know growing up – algorithm.”

 

“Media organizations are driving information to you based upon an algorithm,” Leventhal went on to say, “and they don’t care if the information they are sharing with you is true or false. It is so important for you to research this information and to make your own opinions based upon fact. You are important. You are the future. Never forget that. It is my hope that you take the power of this amazing education you are receiving and go on to move the world and make it a better place.”

 

Ambassador Leventhal is married to Sherry Marcus Leventhal '70. Sherry has remained close to many of her Newman classmates and recently served as a member of Newman’s Board of Governors. Together Alan and Sherry have six children and thirteen grandchildren.

 

“Newman is a model for education, and I applaud all of the work that you do here,” Ambassador Leventhal said. Leventhal joked that he shares many of the documents he receives in his daily work with his wife Sherry, and she often scoffs at the grammar. "They clearly did not go to Newman," she said with a laugh.