GROVE CITY, Pa. – The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College has announced the 2009-10 lineup of speakers for the “Freedom Readers” dessert program, featuring discussions on economics editorial writing by free market thinkers such as Matt Kibbe ’85, the president and CEO of FreedomWorks, and radio talk show host Glen Meakem. All six dessert programs will be at 7:30 p.m. in Mary Anderson Pew South Dining Hall; the programs are free and open to the public, however, registration is required.

Kibbe will lead off the series on Sept. 23, with an introduction by Grove City College Economics Department Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Herbener. Formerly the senior economist for the Republican National Committee, Kibbe has been with FreedomWorks, previously known as Citizens for a Sound Economy, since the mid 1980s. He has also served as the chief of staff and House Budget Committee associate for U.S. Rep. Dan Miller from Florida. Kibbe’s writings on economics, public policy and politics have appeared in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Times.

He did graduate work in the economics department at George Mason University and received his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Grove City College. FreedomWorks is also chaired by former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey and recruits, educates, trains and mobilizes volunteer activists to fight for less government, lower taxes and more freedom. 

The Center established the Freedom Readers program in 2008 to educate America’s youth about basic free market economic principles. The Center hosts three “Freedom Readers” evening dessert programs each semester with a writer discussing his or her free market economics editorial and presentations from recent graduates working in the policy arena. In addition to educating students to free market principles and increasing interest in the Center’s programming, “Freedom Readers” aims to expand knowledge of freedom-oriented policy career and study opportunities. The program is free and open to the public, although seating is limited. Register in advance with Brenda Vinton at (724) 450-1541 or at blvinton@gcc.edu. 

The fall portion of the series will also feature conservative radio talk show host Glen Meakem on Oct. 14; the Center’s Executive Director Dr. Paul Kengor and Tom O’Boyle of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Nov. 9.

The Center for Vision & Values has gained expertise in writing and disseminating timely insights with 150 opinion editorials in the 2008-09 academic year. Beginning with the days of renowned economics professor Dr. Hans Sennholz, Grove City College has long valued the concise, well-written and entertaining opinion editorial grounded in academically sound arguments.