David Gergen -- adviser to presidents, commentator and best-selling author -- will be the keynote speaker at a President's Associates dinner Sept. 17 at the University of Oklahoma.

"David Gergen's visit to OU gives our community a unique chance to hear first-hand his insights into the current presidential election," OU President David Boren said.

Gergen will lead an informal discussion with students 5 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Sandy Bell Gallery, Mary and Howard Lester Wing, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave.

The dinner and address begin the same day at 6 p.m. with a reception, followed by the address and dinner, in the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom, Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Gergen, editor-at-large at U.S. News -- World Report and senior political analyst for CNN, has been an active participant in American national life for 30 years.

He served as director of communications for President Ronald Reagan and held positions in the administrations of presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton. In 1993, he served as counselor to Clinton on both foreign policy and domestic affairs and then as special international adviser to the president and Secretary of State Warren Christopher.

In fall 2000, he published the best-selling book "Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton."

He also has served for two years as moderator of World @ Large, a 13-part PBS discussion series. In addition, he is a professor of public service at the Harvard Kennedy School, where he also serves as director of the Center for Public Leadership.

From 1984 to 1993, Gergen worked primarily as a journalist, including a two-and-a-half-year period as editor of U.S. News. Working with the owner and editor-in-chief, Mortimer Zuckerman, he helped to guide the magazine to record gains in circulation and advertising. Also during this period, he teamed up with Mark Shields for political commentary every Friday night for five years on the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.

A native of Durham, N.C., Gergen is an honors graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School. He is a member of the District of Columbia bar.

Gergen is active on many nonprofit boards, including Duke University and Teach for America. He frequently lectures in the U.S. and overseas and holds 17 honorary degrees.

Limited seating is available by reservation for OU students, faculty and staff, with overflow seating available for the public. For more information, reservations and accommodations on the basis of disability, call the Office of Special Events at 325-3784.