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Former Va. Governor Linwood Holton Joins W&L Seminar on 2008 Elections

Washington and Lee University will host a seminar on the 2008 elections on Friday, Oct. 3, featuring W&L Politics Professors Mark Rush and Bill Connelly, as well as former Va. Governor Linwood Holton. It will take place in Lee Chapel from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Topics for discussion include predictions and prognoses for the various 2008 elections, congressional election prospects, the proposed reform of the nomination process and the call for a national popular vote to replace the electoral college, among other things.

Former Gov. Holton will also speak Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. in Concert Hall, Wilson Hall. The title of his talk is “Opportunity Time-Again,” a reference to the title of his memoir “Opportunity Time”, which was published by University of Virginia Press this spring. The book covers Holton’s journey from the coalfields of Southwest Virginia to his history-making term as Virginia’s governor in the early 1970s.

The book is a punctuation mark on a legacy defined by Holton’s dogged efforts to end one-party political rule and racial divisions in the state. A book signing in the atrium of Wilson Hall will follow Gov. Holton’s talk.

Both events are free and open to the public, as part of W&L’s Homecoming Weekend. Gov. Holton’s talk is sponsored by Friends of the Library.

Questions may be directed to Kelli Austin, assistant director for alumni engagement, at 540-458-8866 or austink@wlu.edu.