Beshear to speak at Murray State Thursday
MSU News Bureau
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will be the guest speaker at the 2008 Harry Lee Waterfield Distinguished Lecture Series, Thursday at 7 p.m. on the campus of Murray State University. This marks the 32nd anniversary of the annual program. Held in the Curris Center Theatre, the program is free and open to the public.
In his first public speaking engagement on Murray State's campus since being elected governor, Beshear will address various issues affecting Kentucky now and in the future.
A native of Dawson Springs, Ky., Beshear credits his parents for laying the groundwork for success in life by providing a home where he and his five siblings found a “powerful sense of values, faith in God and a steadfast work ethic.”
Beshear attended the University of Kentucky where he was elected student body president during his junior year. He continued at UK to earn his law degree, graduating with honors.
Following graduation he moved to New York to practice law, but returned later to Kentucky. During the early part of his career he also served as an intelligence analyst in the U.S. Army Reserves.
In 1974 Beshear was elected to the post of state representative, followed by attorney general five years later. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1983. While serving in that capacity he created and led the Kentucky Tomorrow Commission.
After competing in subsequent races for governor and the U.S. Senate, Beshear decided to re-enter the field of private law practice where he became senior executive of a multi-state firm. Many of the experiences encountered there such as management responsibilities, counseling large and small business enterprises and insights into community banking, added dimension to his career and helped prepare him for future government leadership.
Beshear was sworn in as the 61st governor of Kentucky on Dec. 11, 2007. Some of the projects that he has been closely involved with throughout his career include the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, God's Pantry Food Bank, Bluegrass Tomorrow, the Kentucky World Trade Center and others.
Beshear enjoys horses, is an avid golfer and supporter of sports teams throughout the Commonwealth. He and his wife Jane are the parents of two sons, Jeff, a veterinarian, and Andy, a practicing lawyer. They have one grandson, Nicholas.
This annual lecture is named in honor of the late Harry Lee Waterfield, who grew up in Calloway County and graduated from Murray State in 1932. A distinguished figure in both private and public sectors, Waterfield founded Investors Heritage Life Insurance Co. and was twice elected lieutenant governor of Kentucky.
During his lifetime, he made many contributions to Murray State University as a member of the board of regents and chairman of the MSU Foundation board of trustees.
Because of his generosity, scholarships are awarded to academically successful students in political science and public administration who plan to pursue careers in state and local government or a related field.
Thousands of dollars have been donated by him and his friends for departmental scholarships to be awarded in his name.
The lecture is sponsored by the department of government, law and international affairs in the college of humanities and fine arts. Honorary political science society Pi Sigma Alpha also provides support.
For more information call 809-2661.
Story created Apr 15, 2008 - 11:33:28 EDT.
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