Speaker selected

Senior class to hear from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush

Liberty University officials announced that potential presidential candidate and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will speak at the school’s 42nd Commencement Saturday, May 9.

Photo provided

Jeb Bush, 62, was elected as Florida’s 43rd governor in 1998, serving two terms from 1999-2007. He is the first two-term Republican to hold the position of governor
in Florida.

“Liberty University is honored to welcome Gov. Jeb Bush to campus for our 42nd commencement exercises,” President Jerry Falwell said. “Throughout his years of public service, Gov. Bush has been a champion for excellence in education and so many other issues of vital importance to our university community.”

During his time as governor, Jeb Bush was well known for his education reform. Recently, he is known for his support of Common Core. Jeb Bush also campaigns for comprehensive immigration reform, and he is a strong gun rights advocate.

The former Florida governor announced Dec. 16, 2014, he would “actively explore” a run for president, though there is no specific timeline for an official announcement. Jeb Bush formed a leadership political action committee Jan. 6, 2015.

Jeb Bush is the younger brother of former president George W. Bush and is the son of former president George H.W. Bush, who addressed Liberty graduates in 1990.

Jeb Bush graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Latin American affairs and served as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce before being elected governor.

Commencement will take place in Williams Stadium at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9.

Brown is the editor-in-chief.