Ehud Olmert, one of the most influential and respected leaders in Israel’s history, will speak at Southern Arkansas University on October 19.
Olmert’s speech is being presented by Farmers Bank & Trust and proceeds will benefit the SAU Foundation.
“With world events focusing attention on the Middle East, it is a unique opportunity to have the immediate past Prime Minister of Israel speak at Southern Arkansas University,” said Southern Arkansas University President Dr. David Rankin. “We are greatly appreciative of the generosity of Farmers Bank & Trust for underwriting this annual Distinguished Speaker Series.”
The event, the fifth of its kind, begins with a private reception from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Bank & Trust. The dinner and presentation will follow at 7 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center at SAU. Tickets for the dinner and lecture are $100; a limited number of VIP tickets are available for $200, which includes a private reception with former P.M. Olmert.
Bob Burns, chairman and chief executive officer of Farmers Bank & Trust, said the goal of the lecture series is to support students who want to attend the University but may have financial difficulties.
“What is really important is that the series helps us make a difference in the lives of a few students,” Burns said. “The more funds we raise, the more students who get to go to college.”
Burns said there are four students who currently benefit from the lecture and the hope is to add two to three more this year. Those who want to help students this year by participating in the lecture are in for an interesting night. At the podium, Olmert offers an in-depth analysis of the world’s most difficult and complex issues, including international security, urban infrastructure, universal health care and education reform.
Olmert became Prime Minister with a courageous vision: achieving prosperity through peace. Born in 1945, Olmert began his career in public service at only 28 years old, serving seven consecutive terms in the state legislature as a member of the Foreign Affairs, Defense, Finance and Education Committees, and as Minister of Health.
Even before his first public election, Olmert had earned three degrees in philosophy, psychology and law from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; served with the Israel Defense Forces as a journalist and military correspondent; and was at the helm of a successful law partnership in Jerusalem.
In 2006, Olmert was designated Acting Prime Minister as a result of the serious stroke suffered by Prime Minister Sharon. In the historic election that followed, Olmert was elected the 12th Prime Minister of Israel, resolving to advance the focus on peace, prosperity and international diplomacy.
Under Olmert’s leadership, Israel reduced casualties from terror attacks to the lowest in decades. With more families employed than ever before, Israel’s economic growth exploded even when compared with some Western nations, and his time in office left Israel with a record budget surplus.
As Prime Minister, Olmert forged intimate relationships with prominent world leaders George W. Bush, Gordon Brown, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel among others, which unified the global community with a shared vision for peace in the Middle East.
For more information on the event, or to reserve tickets, call the SAU Foundation office at 877-235-7409 or 870-235-4078.
