Former U.S. Presidential Candidate Oct. 21 University Forum Speaker
Thu, 10/16/2014 - 11:53am | By: David Tisdale
Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party's 2012 nominee for president, will be the featured speaker at The University of Southern Mississippi's Oct. 21 University Forum, set for 6:30 p.m. in Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus. This event is free and open to the public.
Johnson was also the Republican governor of New Mexico from 1995-2003.
He is the author of Seven Principles of Good Government: Gary Johnson on liberty,
people and politics and honorary chairman of the board of the Our America Initiative.
Along with the Honors College, Johnson's visit to Southern Miss is also sponsored by the University's College of Arts and Letters; the Department of Political Science, International Development and International Affairs and its economics program; and Interdisciplinary Studies.
“The Honors College is delighted to be co-sponsoring a visit to campus from Gov. Gary Johnson, an important figure on the American political scene today,” said Dr. Ellen Weinauer, dean of the Honors College. “Shaped by libertarian principles, Johnson's views are sure to spark spirited conversation among people across the political spectrum. We are lucky to have this opportunity, and we hope we'll see many people from both the campus and the community at the talk.”
Dr. Marija Bekafigo, assistant professor of political science at Southern Miss, said she's looking forward to hearing Johnson discuss why he became a Libertarian and his thoughts on the fate of the Republican Party and the difference between the two parties.
“His political record has been unorthodox in several ways to include running as a Libertarian candidate and trying to decriminalize marijuana,” Bekafigo said. “I would also like to hear him talk about his decision-making process to go against the grain politically and what he learned from doing so. I would hope our students can learn about earning rewards from taking risks the right way that Johnson seems to have done.”
For more information on this event, contact the Southern Miss Honors College at 601.266.4533.