X

Former Gov. Bill Haslam at UofM for Peer Power event, book signing Aug. 11

Aug. 4, 2021 — Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam will visit the University of Memphis to join Peer Power at its annual kick-starter event for the 2021-22 school year on August 11 at 4 p.m. in the Maxine A. Smith University Center Ballroom.

Peer Power Foundation hires college students and trains them to be Success Coaches that work during the day inside of public high school classrooms. High school students who have Success Coaches achieve higher college entrance exam scores, have higher attendance rates and are more likely to qualify for enrollment at the University of Memphis than students who do not have Success Coaches. University of Memphis students who work as Success Coaches have a higher four-year graduation rate (84%) than students who do not work for Peer Power (43%). 

Peer Power was founded by late businessman Charlie McVean in 2004. Peer Power’s mission is to inspire and empower youth to take control of their academic success and their vision is to create a world where all children are provided the ability to learn and grow regardless of their zip code. 

Haslam will have a book signing following the event in the atrium at 5 p.m. for his new book, Faithful Presence: The Promise and the Peril of Faith in the Public Square.

Drawing upon his years of public service, Haslam casts a remarkable vision for the redemptive role of faith in politics while examining some of the most complex issues of our time, including:

  • Partisanship in our divided area
  • The most essential character trait for a public servant
  • How we cannot escape “legislating morality”
  • The answer to perpetual outrage
  • How to think about the separation of church and state

When:  Wednesday, August 11, 4 p.m.

Who:  Former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam

What:  Peer Power event to kick-start the 2021-22 school year/book signing

Where: University of Memphis Maxine A. Smith University Center Ballroom