By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Who'll win the November general election? You are invited to hear “Presidential Politics 2008” at Campbellsville University Thursday, Oct. 23, to learn more about the candidates running for office in November.
“The Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy is sponsoring a forum on the election featuring distinguished guest speakers Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway and Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson,” said John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president at Campbellsville University.
Chowning, founder of KHIPP, said Conway will represent the Democratic party slate, and Grayson will speak for the Republican party slate. Dr. Wendy Benningfield, associate professor of history, and Max Wise, assistant professor of political science, both of whom began teaching at CU in August 2007, will also provide election insights.
The event is at 5 p.m. EST in the Little Auditorium of the Student Union Building. The public is invited to the free event. Refreshments will be served.
“The Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy of Campbellsville University is committed to the preparation of Christian civic and political servant leaders for the 21st Century,” Chowning said.
“A greater awareness of the public policy process and understanding of the numerous issues being debated is essential for the citizenry as a whole,” he said.
“Mr. Conway and Mr. Grayson bring a wealth of experience to the table for this KHIPP forum. We are honored to have them on campus. Their insights, as well as those of Dr. Benningfield and Mr. Wise, will be something you don't want to miss,” he said.
In November 2007, voters elected Conway as the 49th attorney general of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Conway holds an undergraduate degree in public policy studies from Duke University. While in college, he studied abroad at Cambridge University in England.
Conway then graduated with honors from the National Law Center at George Washington University. While in Washington, D.C., he worked in the U.S. Attorney's office on criminal justice issues and for the House Banking Committee.
Secretary of State Grayson was elected to office in November 2003 in his first run for political office and at the time of his election was the youngest Secretary of State in the country.
Grayson graduated with honors from Harvard College (A.B., Government, 1994) and from the University of Kentucky(J.D. 1998, M.B.A., 1998) where he was one of the first Kentucky MBA scholars and one of the first two Bert Combs Scholars, the College of Law's top scholarship. Prior to his election, he was an attorney with Greenebaum Doll & McDonald and Keating, Muething & Klekamp, where he focused on estate planning and corporate law.
“In this very important election year, it is vital that an informed voter know as much as possible about the candidates. Campbellsville University will provide information in that regard in this session,” Chowning said.
For more information, contact Chowning at (270) 789-5520 or via e-mail at jechowning@cjpk.net.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,601 students who represent 93 Kentucky counties, 27 states and 31 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report's 2009 “America's Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South for the second consecutive year. CU has been ranked 16 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America's Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his tenth year as president.