O’Melveny Chair Emeritus Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. Receives Honorary Degree, Addresses Graduates at University of Tennessee Commencement
December 15, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC—December 15, 2023—O’Melveny Chair Emeritus and Of Counsel Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. provided inspiring remarks to the next generation of civic leaders during keynote remarks today at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s fall commencement ceremony. Culvahouse also was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs in recognition of his contributions as a policy expert and public servant.
For more than four decades, Culvahouse has played an important role at the intersection of law, government, and politics. When not serving in government, he has practiced law at O’Melveny, and served as Chair of the firm from 2000 to 2011. He currently serves as a member of the Baker School’s board, and as chair of the Institute of American Civics Board of Fellows.
In his remarks, Culvahouse encouraged the more than 1200 undergraduates receiving degrees to “be proud and confident of your achievement, and do your part to save and serve our self-governing republic.”
“In a very significant way, we are waiting for you, those who are graduating today,” Culvahouse said. “The United States needs an infusion of new, engaged, optimistic, creative, and—most importantly—informed new participants.”
He also spoke about his personal relationship with Sen. Howard Baker, for whom the Baker School is named. “Howard Baker was my first employer out of law school. Howard Baker was my colleague. Senator Baker was my law partner. He was my friend. He was my hero,” Culvahouse said.
Culvahouse graduated from UT with a degree in business administration in 1970 and went on to earn his law degree from New York University. Shortly after, he became the chief legislative assistant for US Senator Howard Baker. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as White House counsel in 1987 to advise the president and his administration in the Iran-Contra investigations. Culvahouse also advised Reagan on legal aspects of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Supreme Court nominations of Robert Bork and Anthony Kennedy. In 1989, Reagan awarded him the Presidential Citizens Medal.
Culvahouse has served on multiple government boards and commissions focusing on national security and US intelligence operations, including an advisory committee that recommended improvements in the nuclear command and control system. In 1992, then Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney awarded him the Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service. He has helped vet numerous Republican vice presidential nominees over the years and served as US ambassador to Australia from 2018 to 2021.
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