Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is returning to his hometown later this month to talk about his new book.

Gates served as defense secretary from 2006 to 2011 after spending nearly 27 years with the Central Intelligence Agency. He was CIA director from 1991 until 1993 and received numerous awards for his work.

Gates was born in Wichita and graduated in 1961 from East High School, where he returned in 2009 to be keynote speaker for the school’s graduation ceremonies. The next year he was named Kansan of the Year at the annual dinner of the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas.

He will present a lecture and sign books March 31 at Wichita State University.

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Associated Press information from: The Wichita Eagle