FORMER EDUCATION SECRETARY TO SPEAK AT UNIVERSITY MARCH 25

Former secretary of education William Bennett will speak March 25 at Southeast Missouri State University.

Bennett, a former Reagan official and one of the nation's leading conservatives, will speak at 5:15 p.m. at Rose Theatre.

"He will speak on current events and where he sees America as headed," said Nathan Cooper, chairman of the university's College Republicans, which is sponsoring Bennett's appearance.

Bennett is currently co-director of Empower America, a non-profit organization he co-founded with Jack Kemp, Jeane Kirkpatrick and Vin Weber. The organization is dedicated to promoting conservative principles and ideas.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Bennett was named chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1981.

He served as President Reagan's secretary of education from 1985-1988.

He then served as the nation's "drug czar" from March 1989 through November 1990.

A senior editor of National Review magazine and a Distinguished Fellow of the Heritage Foundation, he has written extensively on social and domestic issues.

He has been a commentator and frequent guest on "Good Morning America," CNN, "MacNeil/Lehrer," and "Nightline."

"I feel he is one of the top speakers on the conservative lecture circuit right now," said Cooper.

Bennett will speak for about an hour at Southeast, including answering questions from the audience, Cooper said.

Admission is $5 for the general public. Southeast students with I.D. cards will be admitted free of charge.

Two receptions will be held prior to Bennett's speech to help underwrite the cost of his visit.

An hour-long reception will be held at State Rep. Mary Kasten's home, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $100 per person and $175 per couple.

The second reception will be held at the University Center, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $50 per person and $75 per couple.

For more information, call 335-4345. Persons interested in attending the receptions should contact Cooper at 339-3816.