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Gorbachev will be the keynote speaker for the university's annual Scholarship Banquet, scheduled for Tues., Oct. 10, at the Jackson-Madison County Convention Center. He will speak on the decline of communism and the Soviet Union. Gorbachev, who led the former world power from 1985 - 1991, is credited with streamlining and decentralizing the oppressive system he inherited, ending Communist rule in Eastern Europe. As a result of his extraordinary achievements, Gorbachev was the recipient of the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize.

"Through this annual event, Union has established a tradition of bringing to Jackson, individuals who have helped shape our world. Clearly, Mr. Gorbachev has been one of the pivotal figures of the 20th century, and his actions have changed the world for the better," explains Union President David S. Dockery.

Dockery points out that Gorbachev will be the third world leader in three years that has visited Union. Previous speakers include Margaret Thatcher and Colin Powell. The first speaker in 1997 was former Notre Dame head football coach Lou Holtz.

The Scholarship Banquet is an annual event sponsored by Union's Board of Presidential Associates for the purpose of raising funds to provide scholarships. More than 80% of all Union students receive some type of financial assistance from the university.

Bennett will be the keynote speaker for a Sept. 7 event that will raise money for the Germantown campus. Bennett emerged as one of the nation's leading political figures during the 1980's while serving as President Reagan's chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and Secretary of Education, then as President Bush's "drug czar." Since leaving government, Bennett has become a noted speaker and author, and is perhaps best known for his books "The Book of Virtues" and "The Children's Book of Virtues."

The Germantown campus, which currently services more than 250 students in fields covering business, nursing and education, has grown out of its current rented location and will move into permanent facilities just recently purchased from the Immanuel Baptist Church, located at the corner of Hacks Cross Rd. and Poplar Pike. The Sept. 7 banquet will provide funds to assist with purchase of the facility.

"The acquisition of this tremendous facility will enable us to fully develop the potential of 51ÉçÇø at Germantown, particularly in the area of adult and graduate education," says Dockery. "We believe our Germantown campus will be good for Union and will be a tremendous resource for the city and for Shelby County."

For ticket information for either of these events and other questions regarding the Scholarship Banquet and Germantown Campus grand-opening, contact Union's Office of Advancement at (901) 661-5050.