General James Cartwright (USMC, ret.), the former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will speak at Penn State on Oct. 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in 118 Lewis Katz Building.

The retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general is returning to Penn State to discuss strategic leadership challenges for the 21st century. Cartwright spoke on the same topic during his last visit to campus in Nov. 2011.

Cartwright, nominated by President George Bush, served as the vice chairman from 2007 to 2011. Prior to this appointment, he was the commander of the Strategic Command. This position put him in charge of the country’s nuclear arsenal.

He has received many awards and honors over his 40 years of military service, perhaps the most prestigious being the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

During Cartwright’s last discussion on strategic leadership challenges for the 21st century, he talked in depth about his reaction to technological innovation. This included ensuring that developing technologies will have peaceful and safe utilizations.