Ry Meyer ‘03 to lecture at Clarke October 8

Ry Meyer will present a Mackin-Mailander Alumni Lecture on Tuesday, October 8,      at  7 p.m. in Jansen Music Hall on the campus of Clarke University. His lecture is titled, “Winding Paths & Secrets: How Clarke Equipped Me for War, Peace, & Service.”

The lecture is free and open to the public.

The theme for Clarke University arts and lecture offerings throughout the 2019-2020 academic year is Do Something! The goal for these events is to inspire and motivate people to do. Find your passion. Pursue a goal with your whole heart. Help others. Get involved. Be engaged. Make a difference. Do Something!

“My personal and professional path has been a winding one. Often as surprised as anyone when I’ve found myself on the cutting edge of major developing issues, I’m never surprised by my drive to Do Something! In this lecture, I will discuss my experiences in developing skills and discipline to meet and join in battle some of the major challenges of our times. Spoiler: the road starts at Clarke University,” said Meyer.

A native Dubuquer, Ry attended Holy Trinity-Sacred Heart Grade School and is a graduate of Wahlert Catholic High School. He graduated from Clarke University in 2003 with a BFA in Graphic Design and a minor in Art History. Ry also holds an MA in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development from Hawaii Pacific University, an AA in Mandarin Chinese from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, and a JD from Vermont Law School.

Ry is a military veteran who served six years active duty, 2004-2010, in the U.S. Navy as a cryptologic linguist. In that position, Ry held a Top Secret security clearance and engaged in classified intelligence work.

Ry worked in Clayton and Dubuque Counties from 2013-2018 as a criminal prosecutor in trials against sex offenders and murderers. Ry took a position with Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Dubuque in 2018. He is an immigration attorney who offers legal assistance and serves as an advocate for the immigrant population in the Dubuque Archdiocese.

Additionally, he is an experienced beekeeper having developed his expertise in the tropical mountains of Hawaii and the cold valleys of Vermont.

“I can’t think of anyone who better represents our theme of Do Something! From his service in the military to his work with immigrants to his passion for beekeeping, Ry is an inspiration. We are lucky to have him as a member of the Clarke alumni family,” said Michael Knock, chair of the Mackin-Mailander Lecture Series committee and Associate Professor of History.