Diplomat David Reimer, U.S. ambassador to Mauritius and Seychelles, will present this yearâ??s Yoder Public Affairs Lecture: â??U.S.-Africa Relations: An Ambassadorâ??s Perspective" on Thursday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Goshen College Music Center's Rieth Recital Hall.

Reimer's work has taken him around the world. He has received eight top State Department performance awards, and is known for his extensive knowledge of Africa and his outstanding leadership and communication skills. He is a 1984 Goshen College graduate and 2018 Culture for Service awardee.

Reimer has served as the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania (2012-2014); was senior refugee coordinator for the U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq (2011-2012); Deputy Director of the Africa Bureau of East African Affairs, (2009-2011); Refugee and Migration Officer, U.S. Mission Geneva, Switzerland (2006-2009); Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, Haiti (2004-2006) and Economic Officer, U.S. Consulate Milan, Italy (2000-2003). He spent time at the U.S. Department of Stateâ??s Economic Bureau (1996-2000), did economic work for the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, Germany and the U.S. Embassy in Belize City, Belize.

Along with the Yoder Public Affairs Lecture, Reimer will also speak during a convocation on Friday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. in the Church-Chapel. Both events are free and open to the public.