JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 23, 2002 — Former White House 鈥渉atchet man鈥� during the Nixon administration and Prison Fellowship founder Charles Colson will speak at 51社区, Friday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. in the G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. The public is invited to attend the event, but complimentary tickets are required. The university will honor Colson with the induction of an academic chair in his name. Hal Poe, a professor in Christian studies, is the first recipient of the Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture chair.
After experiencing a conversion to Christianity in 1973, Colson served seven months of a one to three-year sentence for pleading guilty to Watergate-related charges in 1974. After his release, he launched Prison Fellowship, the world鈥檚 largest prison outreach which recently celebrated its 25th year of serving the spiritual and practical needs of prisoners around the globe.
Now one of America鈥檚 leading authorities on the causes of and responses to crime, Colson was awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in recognition of his work. The one-million-dollar prize was donated to Prison Fellowship鈥檚 Endowment Fund. An internationally known syndicated columnist and daily radio commentator, Colson has authored thirty-eight books and has sold more than 5 million copies in the U.S. alone, the royalties of which are donated to Prison Fellowship.
Tickets for the event can be picked up at Union Station, located in the Penick Academic Complex on Union鈥檚 Jackson campus. A limited number of tickets have also been reserved for church groups. For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (731) 661-5215.
