Larry P. Arnn, Ph.D., the 12th president of Hillsdale College, will address the English-Speaking Union Wednesday, March 12, on the topic "Higher Education and Federal Policies."

Hillsdale is one of the few universities in the country that has refused to accept any form of federal funding, in order to avoid becoming subject to governmental regulations.

Arnn received a bachelor's degree in political science from Arkansas State University, graduating with the highest distinction. He studied at the Claremont Graduate School and received both his master's and doctoral degrees from that institution.

He studied in England, first as a research fellow in international history at the London School of Economics, then in modern history at Worster College, Oxford University. He was awarded the Winston S. Churchill Association Fellowship from 1977 to 1980.

While in England, Arnn served as director of research for Sir Martin Gilbert of Merton College, Oxford, who is the official biographer of Winston Churchill. From 1995 to 2000, Arnn served as the president of Claremont Institute ot Education and Research Institution based in Southern California. While at Claremont, he was the founding chairman of the California Civil Rights Initiative, or Proposition 209, which was passed by California voters in 1996 and prohibited racial preferences in state hiring, contracting and admission.

Published widely in many national newspapers, magazines and periodicals on issues of public policy and political theory, Arnn is on the board of directors of the Heritage Foundation, the Henry Salvatori Center of Claremont McKenna College, the Center for Individual Rights and the Claremont Institute.

He is a member of the American Political Science Association, the Mont Pelerin Society, the International Churchill Society and the Philanthropic Roundtable.

The English-Speaking Union is an organization whose mission is "drawing together In a bond of comradship the English-speaking peoples of the world." Its committment is promoting scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community.

The local branch approaches the mission with an outstanding monthly program of informative and entertaining speakers on topics ranging from literary to the geo-political stage; the E-SU Scholarship program for local educators to study in England; the Moore County High School Shakespeare Competition; and the E-SU Speaking Program held each spring for students in Moore and surrounding counties.

The program and dinner will be presented at The Country Club of North Carolina, March 12. The evening begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Arnn's presentation will follow, and that will be followed by a question-and-answer period open to the floor.

The English-Speaking Union welcomes new members. For information, call Joyce Omer at 910-215-0592 or e-mail p.hinsley@gmail.com.