Three Rivers hopes Huckabee fundraiser will bring in money for trust

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A fundraiser to be held today with former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is expected to raise more than $40,000 for the Three Rivers Endowment Trust, according to information released Thursday.

The funds will cover Huckabee's speaking fee for the Three Rivers College 2011 commencement and provide seed money for an $11 million capital campaign undertaken by the trust to raise funds for two new structures at the Poplar Bluff campus, an event center and a classroom building.

"The trust is working very hard on behalf of this institution," college president Dr. Devin Stephenson said. "We're very proud of their work."

Huckabee will attend an approximately two-hour fundraiser Sunday at the Gamma Healthcare Conference Center before speaking at commencement.

The community is invited to attend graduation ceremonies, which begin at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Black River Coliseum. More than 350 students are expected to receive certificates and degrees, according to Three Rivers officials. There is no charge for admission.

Huckabee is host of the No. 1-rated weekend show "Huckabee" on the Fox News channel, as well as "The Huckabee Report" on ABC Radio Networks.

He sought, but lost, the Republican nomination for president in 2008, after serving 11 years as Arkansas governor. Huckabee was considered a front-runner for the 2012 nomination until he announced this week that he will not make a bid for president at that time.

Sunday's commencement will also include performances from the Three Rivers Symphonic Band, a hybrid group of Three Rivers students, high school students, area music teachers and local musicians, under the direction of Buddy White. Vocal music instructor Cindy White will sing the Academy Award-winning song, "When You Believe" from "The Prince of Egypt."

For those who cannot attend the commencement ceremony in person, the college will host a live webcast, available online at trcc.edu/ commencement.

Pertinent address:

2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO