College of the Ozarks to host Jenna Bush Hager — humanitarian, correspondent, and best-selling author — for Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Fall Convocation Oct. 10

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks will host Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and First Lady Laura Bush, as this year’s speaker for the Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Convocation on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium. The convocation will be moderated by Professor of the Practice of Journalism Erin Hayes-Dennis, who is a nationally acclaimed former ABC news correspondent.

The theme for the evening, and the events leading up to it, center around “Life in the White House.”

The event will take place on the College campus in the Howell W. Keeter Athletic Complex. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. The prelude begins at 6:30 p.m., with doors closing at 6:45 p.m. The Convocation begins promptly at 7 p.m.

Tickets are required for admission. A limited number of tickets are available to the public at no charge (limit – two per household) and are available only through the College of the Ozarks website. Tickets will be made available on the C of O website beginning at 8 a.m. (CST), Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, on a first come, first-served basis. For tickets, visit the College of the Ozarks website at www.cofo.edu.

Through The Keeter Center for Character Education, the annual Fall Convocation provides an opportunity for the College to bring nationally recognized leaders to campus to share their life stories with students as a way to emphasize the importance of good character.

“We are thrilled to present this year’s annual Fall Convocation with a theme of ‘Reflections on Life in the White House,’” said Dr. Sue Head, vice president for cultural activities and institutional advancement. “Those in attendance can expect an informative night of encouragement and possibly even a few laughs with the effervescent Jenna Bush Hager. Her passion for life, her experience in the White House, and her deep love of God and family will inspire all in attendance.”

Mary Millben, award-winning international vocalist, will sing two pieces as a special add to the evening’s program. Coined as America’s “National Anthem Singer,” her 15-year career includes performances of the National Anthem and patriotic music for four consecutive U.S. presidents, international royalty, and foreign dignitaries. Millben will perform the National Anthem to open the convocation and a special song to close the program.

Earlier in the day, the College will host an alumni panel, highlighting graduates who have served in the White House and in leadership roles at the national level, for special guests and students.

“The alumni panel of six amazingly talented graduates of College of the Ozarks showcases the type of preparation our students receive here,” Head said. “They are prepared in their fields, but they are also prepared to lead, to take their place at the table of influence. We look forward to hearing from them, and we hope all in attendance will be encouraged once again with a hope for the future of America.”

 More about Jenna Bush Hager

Jenna Hager is co-host of NBC’s “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna” and an editor-at-large for Southern Living magazine. She is the author of The New York Times bestseller “Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope,” which she wrote after traveling to Latin America in 2006 as an intern with UNICEF. Ana’s Story is based on the life of a 17-year-old single mother with HIV, who struggles to shield her child from the life she had of abuse and neglect.

Hager remains involved with UNICEF and is currently the chair of its Next Generation initiative, which is dedicated to reducing childhood deaths around the world.

Hager holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Texas at Austin. She’s the coauthor with her mother, Laura Bush, of the children’s book “Read All About It!” Hager and Mrs. Bush also released a second children’s book, “Our Great Big Backyard,” which celebrates the Centennial of the National Park Service, and encourages children to go outside and explore America’s parks.

Most recently, Hager co-wrote a book with her sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, titled “Sisters First,” which released in October 2017 and became a New York Times best-seller. In November 2019, Hager and Barbara Bush released the illustrated children’s version of “Sisters First,” also a New York Times best-seller.

Hager is the daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. In 2008, she married Henry Hager. On April 13, 2013, she gave birth to daughter Margaret Laura “Mila” Hager. Her second daughter, Poppy Louise Hager, was born August 13, 2015. Jenna and Henry welcomed a son, Henry Harold “Hal” Hager, on August 2, 2019.

Reservations available on Wednesday, Sept. 18