In a momentous acknowledgment of his extensive Government service and academic accomplishments, Dr. Patrick Mendis – an “adopted Minnesotan” of Sri Lankan origin – has been appointed by President Joe Biden as an advisor to the prestigious National Security Education Board (NSEB), according to a press release by the White House.
The 14-member NSEB consists of eight Cabinet secretaries and six distinguished American citizens. The Board is chaired by the U.S. Secretary of defense.
The presidential appointment is a testament not only to the remarkable career of Dr. Mendis but also to his profound impact on foreign policy, international relations, and higher education across the globe.
The best of Minnesota
Dr. Patrick Mendis is a former American Field Service (AFS) high school exchange student from Sri Lanka to Perham, Minnesota. He was later “adopted” by Minnesotans when the civil war broke out in his native country.
During his years in Minnesota, Dr. Mendis worked in the Hennepin County Government, the Minnesota Department of Finance, and the Minnesota House of Representatives. Recognising his contributions to the state, Gov. Rudy Perpich bestowed Dr. Mendis the title of “Honorary Citizen” of Minnesota.
Dr. Mendis, who taught at the University of Minnesota in 1990s, received the Hubert Humphrey Leadership Award, the Harold Stassen Award for UN Affairs, the University of Minnesota President’s Award for Outstanding Leadership, and the Alumnus of Notable Achievement Award.
He is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. For his education, Dr. Mendis received the Colonial Dames of America scholarship, the Hubert H. Humphrey fellowship, and the John F. Kennedy scholarship.
Expressing his gratitude for American generosity and fulfilling his conviction of giving back, Dr. Mendis established the Johnson-Mendis Scholarship at the Minnesota State Community and Technical College in honour of his AFS parents in Perham, the Edward Burdick Legislative Award at the University of Minnesota in memory of his mentor and “American father” in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and the Millennials Award for Leadership and Service for international and journalism students at Harvard University.
To recognise all this, Who’s Who in America presented him with its coveted Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to international education and global diplomacy.
Journey to America and beyond
Born into a rural family of Buddhist mother and a Catholic father in Sri Lanka, Dr. Mendis arrived in Minnesota on an AFS scholarship funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Since then, the teenager has cultivated an illustrious career that straddles the worlds of academia, diplomacy, and public service. His multifaceted career path has been marked by significant contributions to the understanding and enhancement of global affairs, making him a personality of substantial influence and respect on the international stage.
The academic journey of Dr. Mendis is as distinguished as his public service. With a teaching career that spans across continents from the United States to Asia and Europe, he has served as a visiting professor of transatlantic relations at the University of Warsaw in Poland and a visiting professor of global affairs at the National Chengchi University in Taiwan.
Currently, he is serving as the inaugural Taiwan chair and distinguished visiting professor of international relations at the renowned Jagiellonian University in Krakow – the Polish university of Nicolaus Copernicus established in 1364.
His dedication to fostering global dialogue and understanding is evident in his authorship of over 200 books, journal articles, newspaper columns, and government reports. Dr. Mendis’ work frequently explores the intricacies of Sino-American relations, the United Nations, American history, and U.S. foreign policy, providing invaluable insights into the dynamics of international relations.
Military and diplomatic service
With the encouragement of his mentor and friend, Prof. Harlan Cleveland – former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and the Founding Dean of the Humphrey School – Dr. Patrick Mendis accepted a teaching position in Europe. As a military professor, he taught U.S. service members at every major NATO military base in England, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Turkey before he was assigned to Japan and South Korea in the Indo-Pacific Command.
His breadth of experience in the U.S. Government is quite remarkable. His public service spans several administrations, including Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama.
Dr. Mendis held numerous roles as a diplomat, an advisor to US delegations to the UN, and the State Department’s coordinator of science and technology policy with the White House. All these senior positions were within the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and State.
He served as the Secretariat Director of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) under Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell and the chairman of the U.S. Interagency Policy Working Group on Science and Technology in the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) under the direction of Secretary of State Dr. Madeleine Albright.
Congressional upport from Minnesota, Maryland and Virginia
Supporting her former constituent while teaching at the University of Minnesota, Rep. Betty McCollum, the top Democrat in the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee in U.S. Congress, wrote to the White House that “Patrick’s vast experience at a senior level in US Government service and academia” is an asset to the Biden-Harris administration.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar also endorsed his candidacy to the Biden White House, writing that “Dr. Mendis is a respected leader and award-winning public servant, teacher, and diplomat.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen described his friend and former professor of the University of Maryland: “Patrick has contributed years of dedicated service to our country and has been recognised for his academic achievement, outstanding Government career, and important philanthropic work.”
His former colleague and friend from the U. S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff during the Reagan administration, Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, characterised Dr. Patrick Mendis as a “highly respected foreign policy scholar, an award-winning public servant, and American diplomat.”
Recommending him to the White House, Sen. Tim Kaine wrote that the former senior fellow and affiliate professor at George Mason University in Virginia “has all the attributes and skills needed to thrive in these national security and foreign affairs positions. He consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, leadership, and personal integrity.”
Having these recommendations by congressional leaders and two former Deputy Secretaries of State – Amb. Brian Atwood and Amb. Thomas Nides – the White House concluded that Dr. Mendis has “many talents and experience,” which “will be of great service to the Board, and by extension, the American people.”
Beyond his professional achievements, the American journey of Dr. Mendis is a powerful narrative of immigrant’s success and dedication to public service.
His life story – from a teenage immigrant learning English in Minnesota to a respected scholar and advisor at the highest levels of the U.S. Government – embodies the American dream.
His commitment to bipartisan service and dialogue, inspired by his late “American father” Edward Burdick of the Minnesota House of Representatives, showcases his belief in the importance of joy in collaboration across political divides for the greater good of the nation.
The recent White House appointment to the National Security Education Board is not a personal milestone but also a significant development for international education and global security. The NSEB plays a crucial role in providing strategic guidance and oversight for the National Security Education Program, and the unique perspectives and experiences of Dr. Mendis will undoubtedly contribute to the Board’s mission.
As a native of Sri Lanka, his achievements hold special significance. His recognition with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sri Lanka Foundation in Los Angeles underscores the pride and admiration felt by the Sri Lankan Diaspora as one of its most distinguished sons.
One of “the 13 world famous persons born in Sri Lanka,” his journey from a village in Sri Lanka to the global stage – marked by dedication, intellect, and service – represents an inspiration to many.
In Dr. Patrick Mendis, we see the embodiment of a global citizen who has dedicated his life to the service of public interest, education, and the fostering of international cooperation.
His appointment by President Biden to the National Security Education Board is a fitting acknowledgment of his contributions and a beacon of hope for those who believe in the power of education and diplomacy to build a better world.
