By Jared Fields, Editor in Chief

Abilene Christian University’s Center for Building Community’s first Economic Outlook Luncheon speaker of the year will be U.S. News and World Report senior writer Michael Barone.

The luncheon will take place Feb. 11 in the Teague Special Events Center at 11:30 a.m.

Barone’s topic at the annual luncheon will be, “The Economy and the Presidency.”

Barone has written many books, becoming a premiere expert on the subjects of the economy and presidencies. His books include “The Almanac of American Politics,” which is in its 19th edition, “Our Country: The Shaping of America from Roosevelt to Reagan,” and he has had his work appear in many other major publications.

“Some people consider him to be the foremost authority today on the American presidency,” said Dr.

Gary McCaleb, executive director for the Center for Building Community. McCaleb, also the vice president of the university, said the Center has brought speakers to Abilene since 2000.

“Sometimes they have to do with different aspects of the economy of jobs or related topics,” McCaleb said. “Since this is a presidential election year, [he will focus on] the relationship between the president and the economy.”

McCaleb said no other speakers are scheduled so far this year, but past guests have included former Oklahoma congressman J. C. Watts, former secretary of education William Bennett and Kinda Chavez, head for the Center for Equal Opportunity in Washington, D. C. and counsel general for Mexico.

McCaleb said the event is open to the community, and previous lunches have had crowds of 200 to 300 attendees. Tickets are $20 each or $150 to reserve a table for eight.