Collection on Robert McFarlane -William A. Kern Professor in Communications

Robert McFarlane graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1959 and also holds a M.A. degree from the Graduate Institute in Geneva Switzerland. In 1979, Mr. McFarlane retired after twenty years as a Marine Officer. He began his work with the National Security Council in 1973 when he was appointed Executive Assistant to the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Henry Kissinger. From October 1983 to late December 1985 Mr. McFarlane held the position of National Security Advisor. In 1986, he is was a member of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

During the academic year 1986-87, Mr. McFarlane was the William A. Kern Professor in Communications in the College of Liberal Arts at RIT. He conducted three public lectures titled Crucial Issues in Contemporary Foreign Policy. The former National Security Advisor was a key player in the Iran-Contra Affair who tried to take his own life allegedly over the scandal. His visits caused some controversy and demonstration amongst students at RIT because of this. McFarlane was an associate of then RIT President Richard Rose. The Iran Contra Affair story broke shortly after his first visit in October of 1986. By the time he returned in January 1987, he attracted a large amount of attention. He declined to have any media at his event, not even press coverage for the student publicationReporter. He did, however, agree to an interview with one RIT student, Steven Freeman, who was granted permission to interview him after writing to McFarlane. A budding photojournalist, Steven was allowed to photograph McFarlane and spend 30 minutes discussing national security, the press and his visit to RIT.

The William A. Kern Professorship in Communications was established as an endowment by the Rochester Telephone Company to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company and to provide a memorial for Mr. Kern, former company president who served as an RIT trustee from 1959 to 1964. The purpose of the endowment is to provide instruction and research into contemporary communication issues.