Huckabee to speak at JBU

John Brown University will host former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as the next speaker in the Barnett Civic Leadership Series.

Huckabee, who served as Arkansas' governor from 1996 to 2007, will address the JBU community at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in JBU's Cathedral of the Ozarks. I recent years, Huckabee has been a presidential candidate and contributor for Fox News.

"We want to encourage students to consider how our Christian faith can impact public service," said JBU President Chip Pollard. "Governor Huckabee's career in the ministry, in government service and on the national campaign trail has given him a unique perspective on the intersection of religion and politics. We are grateful for the opportunity for the governor to share from his experience with our students."

Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, was Lieutenant Governor for three years when his predecessor was forced to resigned, elevating him to governor. Huckabee was elected to a full four-year term as governor in 1998, and was re-elected in 2002.

Governing magazine named him as one of its "Public Officials of the Year" for 2005, and Time Magazine honored him as one of the five best governors in America. He served as the chairman of the National Governors Association as well as the Education Commission of the States, the Southern Governors' Association, and the Interstate Oil and Gas Commission. He has been honored by numerous organizations for his commitment to music education.

Huckabee was the pastor of Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana from 1986 to 1992, and was the youngest president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

The Ray and Laurine Barnett Civic Leadership Series is funded by an endowment created with gifts from the Barnett family and donations from more than 20 organizations and individuals. The series, which brings a new speaker to JBU every academic year, focuses on Christian leadership and addresses the intersection of faith and public service. Last year, Gov. Asa Hutchinson was the inaugural speaker.