JACKSON, Tenn. — June 10, 2015 — New York Times columnist and author David Brooks will be the keynote speaker for Union University’s 18th annual Scholarship Banquet Oct. 6 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson.
Brooks’ books include “The Road to Character,” “The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character and Achievement,” “Bobos in Paradise” (a New York Times bestseller) and “On Paradise Drive.” He is a regular analyst on “PBS NewsHour” and NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
“David Brooks is a trusted and valued commentator on American life and culture,” Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “His most recent book, ‘The Road to Character,’ is one that resonates with all of us who care about Union – a place committed to the virtuous life and to living a life filled with meaning and purpose.
“His presence at the 2015 Union Scholarship Banquet will, I’m convinced, be both an encouragement to us all and a challenge to press on as we seek to live out our mission and core values.”
Brooks served as senior editor at The Weekly Standard and has been a contributing editor at Newsweek and the Atlantic Monthly. He worked at The Wall Street Journal for nine years in a variety of positions, including op-ed editor.
Brooks is currently teaching a course at Yale University. He holds honorary degrees from Williams College, New York University, Brandeis University and Occidental College, among others. In 2010, Brooks became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
“The Union University Scholarship Banquet is always a spectacular event, and BancorpSouth is proud to be lead sponsor again this year,” said Doug Roth, president of BancorpSouth in Jackson. “BancorpSouth recognizes that supporting this event helps students achieve their goal of graduating from a top-ranked Christian university.”
The annual Scholarship Banquet has become one of the premier events in West Tennessee each year and is Union’s primary fund raising event for its student scholarship fund. Leading businesses and individuals from across West Tennessee have sponsored the event over the years to bring outstanding speakers to the Jackson area. Previous speakers have included Tony Blair, George H.W. Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Condoleezza Rice, Mikhail Gorbachev, Laura Bush, Mike Huckabee, Rudolph Giuliani, Colin Powell and Ben Carson, among others.
Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the program will start at 7:30 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available at all levels. For ticket information, including table sponsorships and individual balcony seating, contact Union’s Office of Institutional Advancement at (731) 661-5050 or visit .