Congressman Chet Edwards to Discuss 'Leadership in Public Life'

by Katie Brooks, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

Baylor University's Academy for Leader Development and Civic Engagement will host U.S. Representative Chet Edwards, (D-17th District), at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, in Bennett Auditorium on the Baylor Campus.

As the inaugural speaker in the Leadership Lecture Series, Edwards will discuss "Leadership in Public Life," and will talk about his own leadership philosophy, role models that inspired him to enter public service and his duties in Congress, according Joshua Taylor, Edwards' communications director.

Gary Guadagnolo, a senior University Scholar from Arlington, will interview Edwards on his type of leadership and his advice for students interested in public office. The student-led lecture will conclude with an audience-engaging Q&A session.

Edwards was elected to his ninth term as the Congressman in 2006. In Washington, D.C., he represented the 17th Congressional District of Texas, which includes North Texas, Central Texas and the Brazos Valley.

As Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Edwards oversaw the largest budget increase in the VA's 77-year history with the $6.7 billion increase passed by the House this year. He also serves on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and the Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee. He co-chairs the bi-partisan House Army Caucus and the USO Congressional Caucus.

The Academy for Leader Development and Civic Engagement features speakers covering leadership in the church, leadership in social contemporary issues and leadership in public life, said Ramona Curtis, the University's director for Leader Development and Civic Engagement.

"This is a great opportunity for students to engage a public leader," Curtis said about Edward's lecture.

Edwards serves on the Advising Board for the Academy, a program that began at Baylor in 2004 and now involves more than 200 students across all disciplines, Curtis said.

"The students are committed and have a heart for service as they find how to relate their vocation to their calling," she said.

The lecture is free and open to the public. 

For more information, contact Curtis at Ramona_Curtis@baylor.edu.