An organization new to Auburn will begin its program with a speaker known across the nation.
Former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani, will speak on leadership in challenging times in the Coliseum May 3.
"We were one of the few universities without a speaker series in the Southeast," said Drew Robinson, president of Perspectives on the Plains. "Perspectives on the Plains started two years ago under the initiative of Lauren Hays, former SGA president."
The core mission of Perspectives on the Plains is to get prominent, well-known, well-respected individuals to speak on campus, Robinson said.
"Giuliani is a leader who succeeded in challenging economic times, so he is perfect to speak directly to students about leadership," Robinson said.
Although the former mayor is not seen in the South that often, Robinson said it was not as difficult to get him as he thought it would be.
"Giuliani actually cost us below average of what we usually pay speakers," Robinson said. "We are paying him $85,000 to come, which includes speaking, hotel accommodations and transportation."
Teresa Whitman McCall, communication specialist for the Office of Communication and Marketing and advisor for Perspectives on the Plains, said Giuliani is an appropriate speaker to speak to students about leadership in challenging times.
"Leadership is a big topic at Auburn," Robinson said. "We are taught to be leaders and to be representatives of Auburn."
McCall said students should take advantage of this opportunity to hear such a well-known speaker.
"Students are impacting our future with their thoughts and actions," McCall said, "and he can impart useful tips on how to enter that future."
Robinson said at the end of the 45-minute speech that is open to students, faculty and community, there will be a 15-minute question and answer session.
"Even on the last day of classes, take an hour to support this program and organization and hear a great speaker," McCall said. "If student do that, we can have more great speakers in the future."
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