Gibbs Announces Support
For President's Speaker Series

Lu Ellen Gibbs and President James F. Gaertner discuss their plans for the new President's Speaker Series.

Gibbs and Gaertner signed an agreement under which Gibbs will provide $75,000 for the President's Speaker Series for the next three years.

"This program will give an opportunity for people in the college community, students and faculty, and those from nearby communities to hear great speakers from a number of different areas, whether arts, sciences or other fields," said Gibbs. "It gives us an opportunity to hear speakers like this without having to drive an hour and a half to do so."

She also complimented Gaertner for his leadership in the project.

"I am delighted that he is starting this series and happy to be a part of it," she said, calling it a "sterling idea."

Gaertner said that one of his motives behind establishing the series was to introduce Sam Houston State University students, many of whom are first generation college students, to people who are living successful and principled lives.

The lectures will be free and open to the public, and will be held in the Beto Criminal Justice Center Killinger Auditorium or a comparable facility. Two lectures per year are planned, most likely when many students are on campus, such as during morning hours.

The first speaker in the series will be former Texas A&M and University of Alabama coach Gene Stallings, who has also been honored for his public service work as well as his coaching accomplishments. His lecture is scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 7 in the Criminal Justice Center.

More on the Gene Stallings lecture.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Jan. 30, 2002
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