By Sanmai Gbandi
Reporter
Baylor students have an opportunity for insight into the halls of national power.
On Thursday, former Texas congressman Chet Edwards returns to Baylor’s campus to give his lecture “The U.S Government From an International Perspective.”
Edwards will discuss his political history and his philosophy of politics.
The lecture will also specifically focus on the importance of international students on Baylor’s campus and the fate of the global economy.
Chet Edwards was a Texas state senator from 1983-1990 and a United States congressman from 1991-2011. During that time, he represented Waco and Central Texas, parts of North Texas and the Brazos Valley.
As a congressman, Edwards was a representative for Fort Hood, fought against nuclear terrorism and was a supporter of United States military and their families.
Though Edwards is a former Aggie, he is no stranger to Baylor.
He was recently appointed as the W.R. Poage Distinguished Chair for Public Service, and in February of last year, Edwards donated his congressional papers to Baylor’s Poage Library.
The collection contains thousands of documents, correspondence emails and speeches saved from his years as a congressman.
As the chair, he assists in processing all of these documents for everyone to see.
Some of the documents have been digitized and are available for online viewing.
Taylor Jones, New Orleans, La., senior and international studies major, plans on attending Edward’s lecture.
“We’re supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow. You have to be informed about the world and your surroundings when you’re leading,” Jones said.
This is a rare opportunity for students like Jones, since Edwards comes to campus only about two weeks every semester.
A meet-and-greet with Dr Pepper floats will be held for students interested in the attending the lecture at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Hankamer School of Business. The informal lecture will be at 6 p.m. in Hankamer’s Kayser Auditorium.
