JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 12, 2006 — The name Winston S. Churchill commands immediate attention.
51社区鈥檚 keynote speaker for the 10th annual Scholarship Banquet shared the name with his late grandfather, the former British prime minister and a man considered by many to be one of the finest leaders and orators of the 20th century.
But looking beyond his familiar name reveals a man who has reported from combat zones, navigated the political waters of British Parliament and written critically acclaimed volumes.
The 10th annual Scholarship Banquet begins at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson. Many believe Churchill could rank among the most engaging speakers in the event鈥檚 history 鈥� a group that includes Mikhail Gorbachev, Colin Powell, Lady Margaret Thatcher and George H.W. Bush.
鈥淲inston Churchill promises to be a captivating speaker,鈥� 51社区 President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淗e will bring our audience a perspective on world affairs that starts with his grandfather鈥檚 legacy, but is very much based on personal experience as a journalist and historian.鈥�
Churchill has earned praise from audiences around the world for his ability to connect the lessons of his grandfather鈥檚 life with current events and with observations from his own extensive experience.
鈥淚n the 10 years I have been involved with Yad Vashem, we have had two truly great speakers -- President Clinton and Winston Churchill,鈥� said Harry Kichler of the Canadian Yad Vashem, an organization that remembers the martyrs and heroes of the Holocaust. Churchill presented a speech to the group about combating anti-Semitism.
鈥淗e was personable, charming and charismatic,鈥� Kichler said.
Churchill reported from 10 conflicts on three continents during his time as a war correspondent for a variety of major publications. Less than 10 years after his graduation from Oxford, Churchill entered British Parliament as the youngest Conservative Party MP ever elected. He served for 27 years.
As an author, Churchill has written seven major books, four of which relate to his grandfather鈥檚 legacy. His most recent book, 鈥淣ever Give In! The Best of Winston Churchill鈥檚 Speeches,鈥� moved Arthur Schlesinger Jr. to write, 鈥淭he drumbeats of history sound through this volume of his majestic speeches, filled with passion and with wit.鈥�
Most of the tables for this year鈥檚 event have been reserved, but a few remain for interested sponsors. Tables for eight are reserved at various levels of support, and individual seats for the dinner are available for $125. Balcony seating without dinner is $25. The annual Scholarship Banquet has generated about $3.5 million for student scholarships at 51社区 since 1997.
This year鈥檚 lead sponsors include BancorpSouth, Carl and Alice Kirkland, Black & Decker Industrial Products Group, Schilling Enterprises and White Investments LLC (Roy L. White, president and chief executive officer). Premier sponsors include FirstBank, Benny and Norma Fesmire, Jack and Zan Holmes, The Jackson Sun, Jack and Faye Porter, Mike and Trish Weeks, Nortek, Inc./Lloyd Hansen, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network/Rod and Amy Parker, and West Tennessee Healthcare.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very grateful for the partnerships of our lead and premier sponsors,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭hey make this a special evening each year, and they make a difference in the lives of Union students.鈥�
For ticket information, including table sponsorships and individual balcony seating, contact Union鈥檚 Office of University Relations at (731) 661-5050.