President's Breakfast Re-scheduled

Former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett will speak on “What’s Right and What’s Wrong with American Education” at Westmont’s first President’s Breakfast, 7 a.m. April 1 in the Grand Ballroom at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort. The sold-out event, first scheduled for Feb. 11, was postponed due to complications that arose after Bennett’s knee replacement surgery.

Bennett, who served as secretary of education in the Reagan administration, is the author of the best-selling “The Book of Virtues” and “The Children’s Book of Virtues” and hosts a national radio talk show, “Bill Bennett’s Morning in America.”

In addition to serving as education secretary, Bennett served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities from 1981-85, and was national drug czar under President George H.W. Bush.

After leaving public office, Bennett authored several books, co-founded the education company K-12 Inc. and co-founded Empower America, a non-profit organization dedicated to championing conservative ideals. He is a Washington Fellow at the Claremont Institute and chairman of Americans for Victory over Terrorism.

The Westmont President’s Breakfast, which will become an annual event, is sponsored by the Westmont Foundation and area businesses. The intention of the breakfast is to bring thoughtful leaders of varying ideologies to Santa Barbara to promote discussion and consideration of current issues.

“The impetus for this program is Westmont’s commitment to searching for the truth and learning to think well about what matters, what has consequence and substance, what is important and worth giving our lives for,” said Westmont President Stan D. Gaede.  “We encourage our students to embrace this search not only while they are in college, but throughout their lives. They learn to respect those with whom they disagree while pursuing those things that hold significance and value.”

For more information about the breakfast contact the President’s Breakfast event office at (805) 565-6895.