Institute for Peace Studies schedules Thomas Sutherland to speak in Billings in late February, director says

Thomas Sutherland, a former faculty member who was held hostage in Lebanon, is expected to speak in Billings in late February, the Institute for Peace Studies announced during a radio interview in Missoula. Don Pedersen, executive director of the Institute, said the lecture is planned as a public appearance tied to the institute's effort to promote peace studies across Montana.

The appearance is part of the institute's push to bring peace-studies programming into mainstream higher education in the state, organizers said. "We are very fortunate to have Mr. Sutherland speak under the auspices of the Institute for Peace Studies," said Jim Ranney, Missoula board member for the institute, during the interview.

Pedersen described Sutherland's background in higher education and his captivity in Beirut.…