(Press release)

Two of the country’s liveliest political journalists will be in Central Texas on October 1st to give their views on how to bring the country back together after the divisive presidential election. The presentation by columnist Cal Thomas and television commentator Bob Beckel is the second program in the Institute for the Humanities at Salado’s series on Creativity. It is being co-sponsored by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s College of Humanities.

These co-authors, newspaper columnists and TV analysts, who are on different sides of the political spectrum, will present a joint lecture based on their best-selling book, Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War that is Destroying America. It will be a creative look at saving the “middle ground” from the Red State/Blue State madness.

This special lecture will be held Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008, from 6-8 p.m., at the Lord Conference Center in the Parker Academic Center at UMHB, 10th and College Aves., Belton. A reception and book signing with the speakers will follow. The cost is $35.00 for the public and $30.00 for Institute members. Advance registration is encouraged but payment can also be made at the door.

Cal Thomas is one of America's most controversial columnists and most influential Christian journalists. His syndicated op-ed column appears in more than 600 national newspapers and he hosts a daily radio program heard on more than 300 stations nationwide. He is a commentator/analyst for the Fox News Channel. He has written ten books, including "Blinded by Might: Why the Religious Right Can't Save America."

Thomas is a 40-year veteran of broadcast and print journalism working for NBC News in Washington, D.C. and hosting his own program on CNBC. Thomas was vice president of the Moral Majority from 1980 to 1985. He is a graduate of American University.

Bob Beckel is one of Washington's most prolific speakers and leading political analysts. He is currently the chief on-air Democratic analyst for the Fox News Network. Along with conservative columnist Cal Thomas, Beckel has recently launched a column for USA Today called Common Ground. The twice monthly column seeks to find consensus on divisive policy issues. He and Thomas also co-wrote a book by that same name.

Before turning to journalism, Beckel had careers in politics and government as well as a stint in the Peace Corps. He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Carter Administration. He headed his own political consulting firm and managed Walter Mondale's presidential campaign.

Beckel is a graduate school professor of politics at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and is a graduate of Wagner College in New York.

Other programs in the fall lineup include:

Renowned psychologist Dr. Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, will speak on the concept of creativity and “flow”. Dr. Csikszentmihalyi is one of the world's leading authorities on creativity and positive psychology, and his life's work has been to study what makes people truly happy. His best-selling book, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience was a ground-breaking and highly influential work on human happiness and motivation. That presentation will be in the Longhorn Conference Room at the Stagecoach Inn in Salado on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 5-7 p.m.

Acclaimed, best-selling author Edwin “Bud” Shrake, will conclude the series with A Writer's View of Creativity. At his appearance on Sunday, November 9th, he will tell stories about his adventures with the written word. Shrake’s multifaceted career as a journalist, screenwriter, sportswriter and best-selling author has spanned five decades. That presentation will be at the Creekside Dining Room of the Mill Creek Inn in Salado from 4 to 6:00 p.m.

Institute programs are now open to the public so it is no longer necessary to be a member to attend the lectures. However, voluntary, Patron memberships are still available that offer discounts on Institute programs and other membership benefits.

Advance registration and membership are available by contacting the Institute at ifh@vvm.com or 947-5729 or by downloading the registration form on the Institute website at www.salado-institute.com.

The Institute for the Humanities at Salado is a non-profit corporation offering educational programs and conferences in the disciplines of the humanities for the public and the professions. The purpose of the Institute is to increase knowledge, to stretch minds, and to foster compassion in light of our rapidly changing world.

The core program of the Institute is a series of seminars and lecture/discussions each spring and fall organized around a single topic. In addition, there are special events throughout the year such as trips, tours and public lectures. These programs are designed to allow Institute members the opportunity to ask questions, hear stories and discuss the ideas, history, literature and values that make up the human story.