Auburn University alumnus and former FBI spy hunter Eric O’Neill delivered the Graduate School’s 2014 New Horizons Lecture on March 28, 2014, in Auburn University’s Foy Hall. His lecture was titled “The World is Not Enough: Lessons in Courage, Confidence and Determination From a Spy Hunter.” Shortly after graduating from Auburn University in 1995 with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and political science, O’Neill joined the FBI and then helped catch one of the most notorious spies in United States history, Robert Hanssen. As an investigative specialist within the FBI, O’Neill was planted in the Information Assurance Section working directly under Hanssen, a 25-year FBI veteran whom officials suspected of spying for Russia and, before that, the Soviet Union. O’Neill was able to draw Hanssen out of deep cover and help steal files off his Palm Pilot, which ultimately led to Hanssen’s arrest and conviction on espionage charges. O’Neill’s exploits were brought to the big screen in 2007 as part of the motion picture “Breach,” starring Ryan Phillippe.
Related: Eric O’Neill to give 2014 New Horizons Lecture
Last modified: July 12, 2016
